Is It Possible to Reduce Ear Lobe Size?

Thanks for asking. Earlobes requiring repair can be from a variety of reasons. For example, a torn earlobe from a pulled earring, gauged earlobes that are now unwanted, facelift surgery causing pulled earlobes, or just simply elongated from older age. Because of the variety of different causes, earlobe repair may vary in complexity. Prices will vary accordingly. and also vary depending on the region of the country you are in and the surgeon's expertise. Typically to reduce and earlobe, a triangle wedge of earlobe is excised and then carefully sutured together. I have some special techniques that I employ to minimize scarring and notching that can be seen if not reconstructed properly. This repair can be performed comfortably under local anesthesia and earlobes can be re-pierced 6 weeks later if desired. Consult with an experienced board certified facial plastic / plastic surgeon in you area.

It is possible to reshape the earlobe and or shorten the earlobe if they have been stretched with time, or carried the burden of heavy ear rings for prolonged periods of time. This can also be done at the same time as pinning the ears back. I would definitely see a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss the different options and techniques with you after a consultation and physical exam.

Earlobe reduction can be carried out  as an isolated procedure or in conjuction with otoplasty surgery.  Ear lobe reduction generally is carried out by wedge  ear lobe excision or by marginal incision along the ear lobe rim.  I generally use a C02 laser cutting device for precise bloodless excision. This is done in my private surgical facility. The procedure takes only 15 minutes a side.   Small sutures are used to repair the ear lobe which either dissolve or are removed in one week. 

Ear lobes can be reduced in size.  There are different techniques depending on the earlobe, the number of piercings, and length of the earlobe.  This procedure can be performed in the office under local anesthesia under 20 min or can be combined with other procedures such as otoplasty or facelift.  Most individuals who need ear lobe repair are women who have long earlobes from many years of wearing heavy earrings or multiple earrings at one time.  Others have traumatic ear lobe tears from having their earring catch on something and causing the tear.  Some individuals have gauged ears that are stretched that need to be reconstructed.

Earlobes increase in length also as a result of volume loss within the earlobe itself.  Sometimes, depending on the earlobe, it can be injected with a filler such as Restylane or Juvederm to 'inflate' the tissue to reposition it to where it was in youth. 

As we age, various parts of our face and body sag, or as I like to say, “we are going South”. Earlobes are not immune to elongating with age. Men are bothered by this but women really despise the problem. Fortunately, it is a problem easily resolved. It is a very common “add-on” during facelift surgery. It can also be done under local anesthesia as an isolated procedure.