Can I Close Normal Ear Piercings?

Earlobes have a limited amount of skin and they have a shape that requires all the skin present for one earlobe to look like the other.  To remove an ear piercing hole, one often takes enough skin to distort the earlobe. 

 

I often take symmetrical wedges out of each earlobe and that way, keep the size exactly the same by incorporating the piercing within the wedge on each side.  Whenever you take a wedge out of an earlobe, to prevent denting at the edge of the earlobe, you need to do a tongue and groove pattern similar to the way old fashioned, fine furniture was made. 

 

Once the wound is healed, usually about six to eight weeks after closure, I use the Duffy Ear Piercer.  This is an excellent and little talked about plastic surgery tool made by Michael Duffy, M.D. and available commercially.  The repierced hole should be filled with a gold post with a relatively small gold ball fronting it.  The gold stud should be left in for approximately ten days.  It should be spun at least every other day, and washed gently with a very mild soap each day, but never removing it from the ear.  I normally do not allow my patients to use heavy earrings after an earlobe repair for about three months to allow significant wound healing and prevention of stretching of the newly healed tissue.

 

 

Thank you for your question! Yes you can have your ears closed.  I suggest you seek a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns.  Best of luck!Dhaval Patel
Double Board Certified 
Plastic Surgeon
Chicago 
Hoffman Estates 
Orland Park
Oakbrook

It's not uncommon for ear piercings to be uneven, especially if they were done when you were younger. Fixing the holes is straight forward. You can then re-pierce them after 6-8 weeks. 

Report
You can close ear piercings.  The ears tend to heal quickly, and the surgical repair is quick and easy under local anesthesia. Surgical technique is important to achieve the best aesthetic result in the end.  Once the ears have completely healed, they can be re-pierced in a new position if desired.
Be sure to see an expert.
All the best,

Thank you or your questions.You can close the piercing holes. The procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic. It varies in price depending on where you are. In the UK, this can be anywhere in the region of £450 - 600. It depends on the extent of the defects.You can have repeat piercings but it is generally advisable to wait until the wounds havve healed. normally, we say about 3 months prior to having further pirecings.I hope this helps Best wishes

Yes it is possible to close prior piercings and get them re pierced. Essentially this would entail getting the prior piercing excised and closed - the piercing is a tunnel of skin through the earl lobe - this is removed and closed with stitches.  I usually recommend allowing it to heal for 2-3 months before planning a new piecing so any swelling goes down and scarring is calmed down so the new location for the piercing can be carefully and correctly planned to be even with the other side.  Closure of the prior piercing will leave a small scar, but if it is done well it will be almost imperceptible.  
Cost can vary depending on your location and the surgeon you choose.  It should range $500-1000.