Can I Pierce Torn Earlobe Without Repairing It? Maybe Above the Torn Part?

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

Thank you for your question. A torn earlobe may be pierced at a different location. However, problems may arise including a greater likelihood of another tear. For the best cosmetic result, a torn earlobe is first repaired to reestablish a normal earlobe shape. Piercing is then performed several weeks later, preferably adjacent to and not within the scar line. Good luck.

Of course you can get your ear repierced without repairing the torn earlobe, but it will look pretty wired.If you don't mind the appearance, there is no medical reason that the tear MUST be repaired. the decision is entirely yours.

you can pierce the ear at a distant site. Piercing the lobe above the area where it is torn will just result in a longer tear with time.

Thank for the question. The answer is yes. you can pierce it above the torn part. This could be a problem in the future; you may not like the way it looks and be self conscious about it, or the second piercing may teat and you end up with one big tear or two small tears. Enough said.

You don't have to have the torn earlobe repaired, but I find that most people prefer to have a torn earlobe repaired because they don't like the appearance of a torn earlobe. Also, if you have both ears pierced and you are trying to have symmetrical appearance it is not possible to do this without repairing the ear (unless you move both piercings). A repair can be performed under local anaesthetic and your ear can be repierced 3-4 weeks later.

If you wish to repierce a torn earlobe without repairing it then it is best to pick an area that is spaced a reasonable distance away from the skin edge. This will reduce the likelihood of it tearing through again.

Good luck!

Thank you for the question.

Yes re piercing can be done above the torn area if you do not mind the  appearance of the torn earlobe.  Generally I would advise repair of the torn ear lobe  for the best aesthetic result.

Best wishes.

You can re-pierce a torn earlobe but you're better off having it repaired first. We typically repair earlobes with local anesthesia in the office. 3-4 weeks after repair your lobes can be re-pierced in the office at no charge. Unless, for some reason, you prefer the appearance of the torn earlobe but I have yet to encounter someone who does. If this is the case, you could have the ear pierced in another location but the existing tear might increase the likelihood that this new piercing would also tear, complicating matters down the road.Stephen Weber MD, FACS