Named Among the Best Plastic Surgeons in Boston
Helena O. Taylor MD, PHD, FACS & Stephen R. Sullivan MD, MPH, FACS
You can reshape and restore your earlobes in one short, easy, in-office appointment using only local anesthetic. For years, ear surgeries have been ranked among the top cosmetic surgeries in the U.S. The effects of aging, along with correcting the long-term effects of standard piercings, have long been concerns that plastic surgeons have addressed through earlobe repair surgery. With the popularity of ear gauges and stretching in the early 2000s, many patients are now seeking to reverse the effects of this style on their ears. No matter your reasons, we have a Boston Earlobe Repair strategy for you.
Dr. Helena Taylor and Dr. Stephen Sullivan, two of the leading plastic surgeons in Boston, have extensive experience in both cosmetic, reparative, and trauma-related surgery. They are well-equipped to address your Earlobe Repair needs and provide you with expert guidance and quality care. You can trust that the compassionate team at Taylor & Sullivan will deliver stunning results that exceed your expectations.
Earlobes can split due to trauma, slow migration of earrings, or dilation of earlobes with ear gauges. Recruits for military, police, and other jobs may be required to have dilated earlobes repaired. Fortunately, these changes can be carefully repaired to restore the normal fullness and curve of the earlobe.
WHAT EARLOBE REPAIR DOES
DURATION OF EARLOBE REPAIR RESULT
LENGTH OF PROCEDURE
0.5-1 hours
TYPES OF ANESTHESIA
Local
RECOVERY
TIME OFF SCHOOL OR WORK
None
TIME OFF ACTIVITIES
None
Heavy earrings, sun exposure, and aging cause collagen and elastin damage, resulting in droopy, saggy, and thin earlobes. Old looking earlobes can betray your age, despite a youthful face or facial rejuvenation with eyelid lift, neck lift or face lift. Earlobe reduction is often combined with other facial procedures to rejuvenate earlobes that become long, wrinkled or deflated with aging. The incision is hidden on the back side of the earlobe to maintain a natural curve without a visible scar. At the same time, the earlobe can be naturally plumped with fat grafting or dermal fillers such as Restylane or Versa.
Earlobes become deflated and wrinkled with age. A permanent crease can form near the piercing, enlarging the hole and giving the appearance of a split earlobe. To naturally restore volume to sagging earlobes, fat can be harvested by minimally invasive techniques from an undesirable area and transferred to the earlobe. This Earlobe Repair procedure can be performed with just local anesthesia or a part of a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation in the operating room.
The delicate skin and curving cartilage of the ears can be rebuilt or created. Whether from trauma, skin cancer, Mohs reconstruction, or birth defects, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan have experience with treating simple as well as the most complicated ear problems.
As board-certified plastic surgeons with fellowship training in pediatric and craniofacial surgery, they are experienced with using your natural tissues to reconstruct ear tissues. One of the most technically difficult and demanding operations they have performed was of an ear replant, published by Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Taylor in the New England Journal of Medicine. Fewer than fifty successful operations such as this have been reported around the world.
Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan successfully restored the woman's ear after a dog bite injury. The ear was reattached using super microsurgery and a high-powered microscope. Several months later, the ear was re-examined and a normal appearance had been restored.
Cosmetic earlobe repair surgery can significantly enhance a person’s quality of life by restoring the appearance of the earlobes, increasing self-esteem and confidence, and improving overall well-being. This type of surgery can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have suffered earlobe damage from trauma, piercings, or gauges.
Overall, cosmetic earlobe repair surgery can help individuals feel more confident and comfortable in their appearance, which can have a positive impact on their daily life and interactions with others.
With Earlobe Repair Boston patients can enjoy a few benefits of undergoing this cosmetic surgery, which include:
Eligibility for cosmetic Earlobe Repair surgery is generally determined on a case-by-case basis by a qualified plastic surgeon. This type of surgery is appropriate for individuals who have experienced earlobe damage due to trauma, piercing, or gauging and who wish to restore the appearance of their earlobes. It can address stretched or elongated earlobes due to heavy earrings, gauging, or simply the effects of aging as well as torn or damaged earlobes due to trauma or injury.
Those who have a history of poor wound healing or who are prone to keloid scarring may not be good candidates for the surgery. While there is no specific age requirement for cosmetic earlobe repair surgery, it is important that younger patients have fully developed earlobes before undergoing the procedure, which usually happens around age five.
A qualified plastic surgeon can evaluate each patient’s eligibility for this surgery and discuss any potential risks or contraindications based on their specific circumstances. We will discuss detailed medical history, your unique reasons for wanting to undergo surgery, and create a comprehensive treatment plan. To prepare for Earlobe Repair Boston patients are asked to temporarily discontinue the use of certain blood-thinning medications. Other than this requirement, there is little needed preparation prior to your procedure.
Earlobe repair is performed gently and requires only local anesthetic in the office. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes and requires no bandages or dressings. For earlobe reduction patients, a small amount of skin and tissue will be removed from the lobe, and after, we may inject a tiny amount of filler or use the fat transfer technique to help add volume. In the case of Earlobe Repair, your surgeon will remove some skin and tissue from around the hole or the center of your earlobe and then stitch the hole closed. There may be only one to two stitches depending on the size of the correction. If your ear surgery will be part of an overall facial rejuvenation, these procedures will happen at the same time for a comprehensive result.
Patients have little or no pain or discomfort and may use Tylenol and Ibuprofen postoperatively if necessary. There is no disruption to work or school schedule, exercise or activities. Sutures are easily removed 7 to 10 days later. Some patients may want to pierce their ears again after they have healed from the procedure - consider waiting several weeks until the earlobe has regained strength and start with a lightweight non-allergenic metal.
Dr. Helena Taylor, MD, PhD, FACS, and Dr. Stephen Sullivan, MD, MPH, FACS, both of whom are highly regarded Plastic Surgeons in Boston, have received multiple accolades from Castle Connolly Top Doctors and Boston Top Doctors. Their exceptional training at Harvard University and board certifications attest to their commitment to excellence in aesthetic surgery and patient care. In addition to their expertise in cosmetic procedures, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan specialize in the repair of congenital irregularities and trauma-related injuries. Their unwavering dedication to continued education ensures that they utilize the safest and most effective techniques in their practice.
For your convenience, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan can meet you via telehealth to examine your ears and to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. We can then schedule your Boston Earlobe Repair when you are ready.
Surgical earlobe repair is common and is a procedure with a very high rate of success and satisfaction.
Earlobe repair is typically performed using local anesthesia and is not a painful experience. Most patients have some tenderness after the procedure that resolves on its own within a few days.
Common side effects of Earlobe Repair include some redness and swelling. Very rare side effects could include excessive scarring or infection.
Yes, since this is a surgical procedure, it is a permanent solution unless the patient should need further revision.
Your surgeon will be as discreet as possible with incisions, but there will be some minimal scarring in most cases.
The procedure’s cost will vary based on the extent of the repair and your particular treatment plan.
In most cases, since Earlobe Repair is cosmetic, it is not covered by insurance. But it’s always best to check with your insurance, just to be sure.
Call Today 617.492.0620
To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Taylor or Dr. Sullivan, please call the office or request an appointment using our form. We welcome your visit and your questions.
300 Mount Auburn St. Ste 304, Cambridge, MA 02138
300 Mount Auburn St. Ste 304, Cambridge, MA 02138
Monday - Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm — 617.492.0620
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