Is it possible to correct an uneven, not centered ear piercing? (photos)

Question

I've had my ears pierced for 10+ years and have attached earlobes. One of my ear piercings is okay, but the other one is totally off. This isn't a result of hanging earrings or trauma. I have a difficult time finding earrings to wear; many studs won't fit well on the misaligned ear, because they'll hang off the ear, or they'll begin to droop. I have additional ear piercings as well, so I've provided pictures of both ears, for comparison, wearing earrings and not wearing earrings.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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 multilayered 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.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Franziska Huettner, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. 
If you are looking to have your ear piercing more centered on your earlobe, you can consider having your current piercing hole excised and surgically closed, to then get pierced at a more centered location of your earlobe. I recommend to wait several weeks in between.
The excision of your current piercing hole is usually an office based procedure, done under local anesthesia (no sedation), in less than an hour.
I recommend you being seen in consultation by a board certified plastic surgeon. 
Best wishes, 
Franziska Huettner

Garrett A. Wirth, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

It is possible to have the hole closed surgically under local anesthesia and then re-pierced at a later date.

Henry Wells, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  This procedure can be done in the office under local anesthesia and would take less than an hour to perform.  It's a simple procedure.  You would need to wait roughly 3 months to repierce.

Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question!  This issue can be addressed with a simple procedure in the office under local anesthetic. If you are happy with one hole, the other hole can be excised and then closed primarily with sutures.  I would then (I advise waiting 3 months) have that earlobe repierced at a location that is more symmetric with the opposite side. The downside is waiting 3 months to re-pierce, but the symmetry will be worth it!  Good luck!

Is it possible to correct an uneven, not centered ear piercing? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Ear Lobe Repair

Answer: Ear Lobe Repair

Answer: Asymmetric ear piercings

Answer: Asymmetric ear piercings

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Earlobe Repair

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Is it possible to correct an uneven, not centered ear piercing? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Ear Lobe Repair

Answer: Ear Lobe Repair

Answer: Asymmetric ear piercings

Answer: Asymmetric ear piercings

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Earlobe Repair

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.