Will Stretched Ear Lobes Ever Shrink Back to Normal Size?

There will be a modest shrinkage of the size of the holes once the gauge is removed. However, for larger holes this is usually not cosmetically satisfactory. There are a variety of surgical techniques available to completely close the hole while maintaining a pleasing contour for the ear lobe. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with minimal discomfort.

They will shrink a small amount but it all depends on how much they were stretched and for how long. I would wait 3 months before proceeding with any procedures to correct the remaining defect. 

Our office repairs earlobes after a traumatic tear of earrings, gauge piercings, or after a facelift in which the earlobes are stretched. Earlobe surgery is composed of several techniques that can either repair torn earlobes (split earlobes) or correct overly redundant earlobe tissue from piercings or genetics or stretching. Our HIDEF earlobe repair includes a recontouring of the earlobe contour using multi-layered sutures to reapproximate the curvature of the earlobe; while simultaneously restoring contour to the ear. In patients with pixie ears after facelift surgery, an alternate technique is used to reduce the dependance of the earlobe on the facelift flap. Facelift surgery can reshape the earlobe and this requires restoration. Sutures are usually taken out within 10 days and the wound is repierced in 4-6 weeks thereafter. Keloid scars must be addressed in patients with known history for scarring.

Keloids are another major reason to undergo earlobe repair if there is a keloid scar nodule that has developed in the earlobe or ear cartilage rim. We use a combination of lasers, injections, and keloid surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

The earlobes can shrink back a bit but it’s hard to predict by how much and if it would be to a point where you’d be happy. 

This is a great question! The short answer is "no". The minor trauma causes permanent damage to the tissues of the earlobe. Excess collagen fibers are deposited in the form of firm scar tissue that generally does not retract, or "shrink", back the normal size of the earlobe. I've performed hundreds of earlobe repairs for stretched earlobes and there is always a ring of firm scar tissue just beneath the skin surrounding the stretched portion of the earlobe- even in the smallest of stretched, or gauged, earlobes. Fortunately, the earlobe repair surgery can easily be performed in the office, under local anesthesia. Earlobe repair surgery is relatively inexpensive, has minimal to no "down-time" and very little pain. If you are interested in having the earlobe repaired be sure to consult with a board-certified surgeon that performs a large number of earlobe repair procedures. It would also be helpful to review at least a small portfolio of the surgeons own earlobe repair before and after photographs.

Stretched earlobes will shrink a bit, but not much.  Surgery would be the only way to ensure that the lobes shrink to the desired size. The good news is that the surgical repair is quick and easy under local anesthesia. Surgical technique is important to achieve the best aesthetic result in the end. 
Be sure to see an expert.
All the best,

Thanks for your question. Anyone that stretches their earlobes to varying sizes with gauges will likely get some degree of "shrinkage" of the size of the holes; however, I have found that patients are rarely ever happy after they discontinue wearing gauges with the "holes"  until they get them repaired.  I have developed a technique over the years that I believe "rebuilds" the earlobe after gauge stretching.  I think it is not just the size of the "hole" but the actual earlobe tissue becomes more "droopy" and redundant or "ptotic" and needs to be reshaped and reconstructed.  I hope this is helpful.  Good luck!

While the hole in the earlobe will shrink somewhat once the gauge earring is removed, this is unlikely to shrink back to the degree that it will let you wear a normal earring, and certainly would be unlikely to close completely. Once the earlobe has been stretched and the gauge has been removed, the only way to adequately achieve a cosmetically acceptable result is with earlobe reduction surgery. Fortunately, this is a quick and relatively inexpensive procedure that can be performed in the office under local anesthesia. 
Best wishes,

It is amazing how much the ear lobe skin can stretch with gradual enlarging of a piercing. In our experience, the size of the hole in the ear lobe may not get smaller after it is stretched, and surgical repair may become necessary. Thank you. Dr Joseph

Thank you for your question. Once the ear lobes have been stretched, in my experience they do not go back to the original size. Ninety percent of my patients require surgery to address this. The surgery is anywhere from repair the hole created, of the ear is not too deformed, to an ear lobe reduction and restting it back to its original position. I hope this is helpful for you