6g piercing completely ripped out. How long should I wait until I try to re-pierce it? (photo)

Question

My piercing got caught on a car door in September. I had seven stitches for a week or two. I know it's still too soon to try to put an earring in it yet, it still hurts when I squeeze the scar. How much longer should I wait? Before I had it torn out, my ears were stretched for years. I don't plan on stretching it again for a long time but I want to put a regular sized earring in it so the hole doesn't close shut.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

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

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

It looks like you had a very nice repair of your torn ear lobe. I would recommend waiting 6 weeks before repiercing. Thanks for sharing!

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I would recommend waiting 2 months after earlobe repair before re-piercing it.  This amount of time should allow the earlobe to heal enough after the repair.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Typically, we re-pierce repaired earlobes 6-8 weeks after repair. You will want to wait another 6-8 weeks before wearing heavy earrings again. I'd recommend against re-gauging your earlobes, however.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-Were you my patient, I would want you to wait at least 6 weeks before re-piercing, and I would recommend the new piercing be slightly away from the scar.

Michael M. Kim, MD · Answer

I would wait for 8 weeks until repiercing. I don't believe that you should put in a regular sized earring at this point until it's completely healed. Starting over is best. Your repair looks quite nice.Michael M. Kim, MD

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Allow the hole to heal completely and then wait a few months before repiercing it. That is what I tell my patients.

M. Dean Vistnes, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

You will be able to re-pierce your ears 2 months after you have the earlobe repair. Good luck, Dean Vistnes.

6g piercing completely ripped out. How long should I wait until I try to re-pierce it? (photo)

Answers (8)

More Earlobe Repair Questions

6g piercing completely ripped out. How long should I wait until I try to re-pierce it? (photo)

Answers (8)

More Earlobe Repair Questions

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