My Right Ear Has a Keloid and my Left Ear is Stretched, I Want to Get All of This Fixed? (photo)

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

When treating earlobe keloids which are large and visibly distracting I usually excise them surgically and then reconstruct the earlobe to create a normal shape.  In addition, a cortisone injection may help prevent recurrence.  This is usually quite effective but there is always a chance the keloid may come back. There are other options as well but these are more involved and usually not popular with patients.   I have included a link to some that I have done which may be helpful in understanding the procedure.

Earlobe tear or widening repairs are simple outpatient procedures much like keloid excisions. With keloids, excision alone is not sufficient as the recurrence for keloids is high. Therefore, keloid excision are followed by either steroid injections or radiation treatments.

Thank you for the question and your photos. Prices for earlobe repair in the San Francisco Bay Area range from $250 to $600, depending on complexity. Treatment of keloids can include surgery, injections, topical medications, and special wound dressings. The price, therefore, is variable and depends on the exact treatment strategy that you select with your qualified surgeon.