Can a pixie ear be corrected to look like the other normal ear, or will that need to be altered to match the pixie ear as well?

The ear has to be placed in its natural position.  sometimes there is thethered scar that be released to improve the ear-cheek junction.  It is best to wait at least 1 year after the facelift procedure to correct the problem.

To fix a pixie ear deformity, you have to undergo another mini facelift and it can be done under local anesthesia for about $6000 and is so worth it since it makes you look more natural and less likely that people will comment about your original poor facelift.  Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD

Since most of us are born with earlobes that match (some have hanging lobules; other have natural attached lobes, or "pixie ears"), wanting your earlobes to match is both appropriate and achievable. Whether you you born with one of each, or whether this was a result of excessive tension or poor healing on one side after facelift surgery, surgical correction can be carried out.

I am going to assume that if the cause was a facelift, you are happy with the facelift results except for the effect on one earlobe. If not, as other have suggested, facelift revision may be necessary, and the earlobe problem is only one symptom of a larger concern.

Correcting the pixie earlobe is easily done under local anesthesia, but should NOT just be a scar revision. Removing the old scar and resuturing only tightens the area more, and will not correct the problem. Instead, enough release of facial skin must be done to decrease the tension on the earlobe, and sutures must be placed to maintain this avoidance of tension on the earlobe. Since the earlobe has no cartilage or bony support, this is indeed a poor structure to suspend a cheek from during facelift surgery!

To repair the problem, your facial skin just behind the earlobe must be secured with long-acting dissolving sutures to the fascia of the mastoid bone, also located just behind the earlobe. This keeps the facial skin secured to this firm structure, and takes all tension off the earlobe. Simple fix, but you would be surprised how many facelift surgeons fail to do this simple step that prevents the problem in the first place!