Ear piercing hole closure possible without scarring? (Photo)

Question

Can normal ear piercing holes be closed with cosmetic surgery and essentially make it appear as if the piercings never occurred? Is there great concern for abnormal scarring (hypertrophic, keloid) with an earlobe repair? What is the healing timeline/appearance afterwards? The earlobe feels like there are small bumps within which I assume is scarring of the piercing canal. Would those bumps be removed with the procedure? Lastly, is patient satisfaction high for this type of procedure?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Earlobe repair is a common procedure in our plastic surgery office. I employ a technique that involves removing the excess scar tissue and reapproximating the tissue planes in multiple layers to recontour the earlobe after gauges, torn earlobes, or stretched out earlobes. Sometimes, the same procedure is used to restore contour to a pixie ear after facelift surgery or facial surgery. Gauge correction is a popular treatment. Insurance typically does not cover the procedure in California, but it all depends on your insurance policy. Costs are typically between six hundred dollars and one thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the repair. Pixie ear repair involves correction of the facelift flap and is a more complex procedure that requires anesthesia. Aftercare for earlobe repair involves proper wound care, Plato’s Scar Serum at least twice daily, with repiercing of the earlobe if requested, in 6 weeks. It is best to have a plastic surgeon perform the procedure and help with scars in the post-procedure period. Plato’s Scar Serum, wound care, and Neosporin are used.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and photographs.  yes these pinholes can be removed and surgically closed, but it will result in a small amount of scarring.  Abnormal scarring is always a risk, and steps can be taken to minimize this risk, but as you didn't develop any with the piercing, you have a lower chance of this happening with closure.  Healing would be rapid, on the span of a few weeks, with the area completely healed in 6 weeks. The scars will fade with time for up to a year after surgery.  Hope this helps

George Bitar, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is possible to repair earlobe piercings with surgery. Unfortunately it will result in some scarring.  The scarring is usually minimal.

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, ear piercing holes can be closed and usually the scar is faint, but a keloid or hypertrophic scar is always a risk.  Most of my patients are happy with the result.

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

For your tiny ear piercings, I make very tiny incisions using a very small punch biopsy instrument, and then small sutures are placed to close this hole. You will be left with small linear scars at the site of your current ear piercings.  With time, the scars will fade considerably.Definitely meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to find out more!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This can be treated with surgical removal , but with any surgery there is risk of scar.  Punch excision with suture closure is the best option.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Luis A. Cenedese, MD, FACS · Answer

Whenever a hole or incision is made into the skin there is a high probability that a permanent scar will be noticeable.  Magic can make things disappear.  Unfortunately surgery or Lasers have not become so sofisticated. The smaller the hole the more difficult it is to close; the more minor the scar the harder it is to satisfy the patient.  Please consult in person with an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon prior to making treatement decisions.

Ana Carolina Victoria, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

There are diffrent techniques for closing ear lobe holes. For small holes, a small punch and direct closure is enough, however, if you feel small bumps, these may be epidermal inclusion cysts that may have formed after piercing and should be removed prior to closing. As with any incision on the skin, there is a risk of scar formation which can be treated post operatively with injections, or lasers.