Ear Otoplasty and Ear Piercing?

Question

after how long after can i get my second piercing on the lobe? thank you

Behrooz Torkian, MD · Answer

Hi,

	If your otoplasty is healing well and has no complications, or infections, it will be safe to have the ear lobe pierced about two weeks after your surgery.  

	There is really no time restriction on this, however, it would be best to wait for the incisions to appear more healed before proceeding.

	Dr. Torkian

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Ear piercing should generally be safe by 6 weeks after ear pinning surgery (otoplasty) but you should discuss this with your surgeon.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

As long as you are healing and recovery without complications, it is acceptable to have ear piercing performed one month after your otoplasty.

David C. Pearson, MD · Answer

Adding another piercing to the earlobe after otoplasty could probably be done as soon as a couple weeks after surgery. Never, ever pierce the cartilage portions of the ears, however. Never!

	Also, you might want to let your surgeon pierce your earlobe rather than the pimply-faced kid at the mall, just to be safe. ;-)

	Good luck,

	--DCP

Mark Domanski, MD · Answer

The reason various doctors give different answers is that the question requires one to weigh the desire of re-piercing the ear versus the strength of the repair.
The human body heals by laying down a protein called collagen.  This collagen then undergoes chemical cross-linking to increase strength.  Animal studies suggest that an incision line obtains its maximal strength at about 6 months.
But who wants to wait 6 months to re-pierce their ears?
So surgeons will often instruct patients to weight a certain period of time based on their risk tolerance, the patient's desire to re-pierce their ears, and prior experience.

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD · Answer

When Can Earlobes be Re-Pierced?

	I suggest six weeks after the earlobe repair provided there were no complications such as suture reaction or infection.

Anne Taylor, MD · Answer

While it may be popular to have piercings and ear disk-type earrings, due to personal reasons, the patient may choose to have these removed and the earlobe reconstructed. Depending on the size of the hole, the reconstruction can utlized the tissue, and it can be rearranged to form a pleasing lobule. The cost for this ranges on the size or amount of surgery that needs to be done. After a few weeks, these have healed well enough that it can be hard to tell where the piercing was.

Louis M. DeJoseph, MD · Answer

There is no definitive time frame on when to pierce the ear lobe after otoplasty. Ideally at one of your follow up visits, have your surgeon do it for you. I have done this at the same time as the procedure with no problems. Best regards. Dr D

Ear Otoplasty and Ear Piercing?

Answers (8)

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