My Earlobes Are Stretched?

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

Most likely if you just had an allergic reaction and swelling and didn't cause the earring hole to actually split with pulling and/or itching, it will resolve over time.   If it doesn't, a split or stretched earring hole can be repaired in the office.  If you are worried about the actual size of your lobe, small surgical procedures under local anesthesia can be performed to reduce the size of the earlobe.  Avoid those earrings  (and all earrings until the swelling goes away), and see what happens over the next couple months!

A stretched out earlobe may get smaller with time, but probably not.  I would recommend waiting at least 3 months, but if you are not happy with the appearance of the lobe at that time you should consider seeing a board certified plastic or facial plastic surgeon to address the issue.  Hope this helps.

This should resolve. I would be careful putting in earrings so as to not traumatize them. Don't worry if they don't go down you can get them reduced. But I wouldn't do this until waiting at least 6 months when most of the healing (80%) is done. 
 

If you use hydrocortisone cream and avoid earrings, especially ones that are heavy and are not 14k gold, the stretching will shrink some. However, it will probably not return to it's original condition. I find that many patients with this problem continue to experience infections which lead to more stretching and eventually require earlobe repair.

Stretched earlobes will not usually return to their normal size and shape.  

I won't hurt to give them a "rest" for a few months and see if they do return to an acceptable appearance for you.

 If not, the repair and reshaping of the earlobe can be done as an office procedure under local anesthesia.

Based on your history I think is most likely that the ear lobe skin will “bounce back” in a few months to a year. If not, seek consultation with a well trained board-certified plastic surgeon for advice.

Best wishes.

If the earlobe was only recently stretched, it is possible that leaving it alone will allow it to reduce in size,  perhaps to about the size it was before.  The longer it was held stretched, the more likely the stretching will be permanent.

We often stretch tissue surgically to enlarge it, and the stretching done that way can last.  However, even after many weeks, if tension is removed, at least some of the enlargement from stretching may reverse.

Your best bet is probably to leave it alone for a while.  After a couple of months, you will probably know if the stretching is permanent or not.

Hard to say but certainly waiting is your best option.  I would give it 3-6 months and if it doesn't get better you can see a plastic surgeon for a consultation.