BLOG: Do You Need An Ear Job?
Last Updated (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 14:41)
Just when one couldn’t think of another body part to ‘fix’ via plastic surgery, it turns out the lobe job could be 2012’s boob job. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (BAAPS) even featured a presentation on earlobe correction at their recent conference.
In an effort to be on trend with chandelier or big hoop earrings, are women actually aging themselves with resulting saggy earlobes?
Dr. Semira Bayati is a Newport Beach, California board certified plastic surgeon. As a woman, Dr. Bayati understands the desire to look fashionable even if it that quest can cause untoward effects. As Dr. Bayati explains, “Gravity takes its toll on earlobes. They droop like chins and breasts do, and can make you look older. This aging of the earlobes is only exacerbated by continued wearing of heavy earrings.” As people get older, there is a loss of fat from within the earlobe. Add to this the effects of gravity and the fact that, for some unknown reason, the actual dimensions of the earlobe enlarge and expand with age, and the result is that the earlobe becomes floppier and looks older. An earlobe reduction is a "simple" operation that reshapes the earlobe to a better proportion. Another issue for women is a torn earlobe, where the hole from a pierced ear gets so stretched that the lobe tears open and has to be stitched together.
EARLOBE REDUCTION ->
One method of earlobe rejuvenation is injectable fillers. By filling up a deflated earlobe, its wrinkles will reduce and become more plump. Dr. Bayati cautions that, “This will do little for an earlobe that is already too big and has too much skin. Such earlobe enlargement may even make it look worse as it may appear more disproportionate or out of balance in size to the rest of the ear.” Another method of reduction is through an incision designed within the earlobe to reduce it to an appropriate size. A meticulous closure is then performed using absorbable stitches. The procedure can be performed under local anesthetic. Ear lobe reduction can also be performed in conjunction with other facial cosmetic procedures such as a facelift or facial fat transfer. The procedure takes less then one hour to perform and can be done in Dr. Bayati’s office. After the procedure patients can drive home. There is minimal pain, which is alleviated with an over the counter pain reliever. Patients can immediately resume their regular daily activities. If desired, ears may be re-pierced in six to eight weeks.
TORN EARLOBE REPAIR ->
When earrings get snagged in clothing, pulled accidentally, or even yanked by a small child, the result can be a torn earlobe. Earlobes can also become stretched from the wear and tear of heavy jewelry, or earring holes can become gradually enlarged over time.
Dr. Bayati states that, “When earlobe surgery is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor.” Depending on your individual circumstances, torn earlobe repair can be performed immediately following an injury, or delayed until the wound is healed and tissue is no longer inflamed. The specific method of repair will depend on how much tissue was lost, and the nature of your injury. A variety of different techniques can be performed to close the wound, redistribute tissue, and reshape the ear to match your natural ear shape. Torn ear lobe repair is usually performed as an outpatient procedure using a local anesthetic.
Getting back to normal after Torn Earlobe Repair
After the earlobe repair procedure, most patients don’t need pain medication, although Dr. Bayati will prescribe pain medications, oral antibiotics or recommend an over-the-counter medication, if necessary. In most cases, the only dressing needed is a thin layer of antibiotic ointment, and stitches are usually removed in about a week.
What to Expect
While a simple tear will leave a fine linear scar, a more complex repair of a gauged lobe results in a fine Y or X shaped scar.
The new fine scar gains its full strength after about 4 weeks.
The repaired site will not have the strength of normal skin. Therefore, repiercing within the new scar is not recommended.
In most cases, repiercing may be performed at a slight distance to the new fine scar about 4 weeks after surgery.
Who should not undergo Earlobe repair?
- Patients prone to chronic infections
- Patients prone to severe allergic reactions
- Patients who are pregnant or breast feeding
- Patients who have active cold sores
- Taking cortisone
- Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Taking anti-coagulant medication
Information provided by Dr. Semira Bayati. Visit her website: www.drbayati.com.
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