Ridgeland, MS Earlobe Reduction with Faces PLLC
As a face-framing feature, your earlobes can either accentuate your natural beauty or detract from it. Earlobes that have become stretched over time can age your face, especially if you’ve had a facial rejuvenation procedure, like facelift surgery. Naturally large earlobes are also a concern, as they take attention away from the eyes, lips, and cheekbones.
At our clinic in Ridgeland, MS, Dr. J. Randall Jordan performs earlobe reduction surgery to create more flattering ear contours for suitable candidates. He and his surgical team will be happy to answer any questions you have about this procedure during your initial consultation.
What is Earlobe Reduction Surgery?
Earlobe reduction is an outpatient procedure that reshapes sagging, elongated, or distorted earlobes. Unlike otoplasty, which is usually performed on children with congenital ear defects, earlobe reduction surgery, or what is technically known as loboplasty, is recommended for adults whose ears have changed as part of the aging process. Earlobe reduction surgery is also suitable for younger adults who would prefer to have smaller ears.
Factors like natural collagen loss, gravity, and wearing heavy earrings often cause the earlobes to take on a droopy, stretched look that accentuates facial aging. Continued cartilage growth may also affect the appearance of the ears, causing them to grow larger over time. To restore youthful ear contours, Dr. Jordan will remove a portion of excess tissue from each ear, then they carefully reshape the earlobes. Every earlobe reduction we perform is personalized to ensure your earlobes are balanced with the rest of your facial features.
How We Perform Earlobe Reduction at Our Clinic in Ridgeland
Earlobe reduction surgery is an in-office procedure that is accomplished under local anesthesia. After injection of the local anesthetic, small wedges of skin (and cartilage, if necessary) will be removed from each lobe, and remaining tissue will be fixed into a more flattering shape with sutures. Sometimes, dermal fillers are injected into the earlobes after surgery to add volume and smooth out wrinkles. This procedure takes from half an hour to one hour to complete, and you’ll be able to return home immediately after your operation.
Earlobe reduction can be incorporated into facelift surgery to create an evenly rejuvenated look. We can also combine this procedure with facial fillers, BOTOX® injections, or an Acculift, depending on your needs. When you visit us for a consultation, we’ll give you personalized recommendations and help you create an effective aesthetic treatment plan.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for Earlobe Reduction?
Though earlobe reshaping is a relatively minor procedure, you may still need to make lifestyle changes prior to your operation, such as discontinuing the use of certain medications such as blood thinners. During your consultation, our doctors will review your medical history and let you know if you need to take any special steps to prepare for earlobe surgery and whether or not earlobe reduction surgery will help you meet your aesthetic goals.
You may be a good candidate for earlobe reduction if any of the following criteria apply to you:
- Your earlobes have become elongated or wrinkled over time.
- The lower portions of your earlobes are stretched or misshapen as a result of wearing heavy earrings.
- You can’t wear small studs anymore because your earring holes are enlarged.
- Your earlobes are asymmetrical (one earlobe is longer than the other).
- You have naturally large earlobes, and you would like to reduce their size.
- Your earlobes are unusually thick, and they protrude at an unflattering angle.
The ideal earlobe reduction patient is an adult man or woman who is in good overall health, not currently a smoker, and not currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Earlobe reduction is suitable for patients whose earlobes have been altered by aging; for patients whose earlobes have been heavily damaged by gauged earrings or trauma, we recommend earlobe repair instead. Earlobe repair is a different procedure that reconstructs the lower halves of the ears that have been damaged from a previous piercing.
What to Expect During Recovery
Most of our patients recover from earlobe surgery very quickly, without experiencing noticeable discomfort. After having this procedure, you’ll be able to resume light activities immediately, and you should be able to return to work within 24-48 hours.
Earlobe reduction patients do not usually require prescription pain medication; the mild symptoms that accompany this procedure are instead managed with over the counter pain relievers and cool compresses. The brown paper tape applied to your earlobes aids in the healing process and should be left in place until you return for your first post-op visit. Should any crusting on the earlobe appear, we may suggest using Aquaphor or Vaseline until it resolves. Slight bruising and swelling are common after this procedure, but most patients can hide these side effects with their hair.
You should avoid rubbing or scratching your earlobes for two to three weeks following your earlobe reduction. Keep your earlobes completely protected from sun exposure for at least a full month, or until your incisions are no longer pink, as sun exposure can cause scar tissue to become thicker and darker. If you take these precautions, your scars should fade and become difficult to see after three to six months. The incisions required to perform earlobe reduction are very small, so while there will be a scar, it is not generally a concern for patients who follow proper aftercare protocol.
You will be able to wear earrings after having earlobe surgery, but you should wait a full two months before resuming the use of even very light earrings. To preserve the appearance of your ears, don’t wear heavy or dangling earrings for extended periods of time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Earlobe Reduction
Earlobes and the nose are two parts of the face that continue to enlarge over our lifetime. Even if you have never worn earrings, you may experience growth in your earlobes.
In some cases, the earlobe can be re-pierced the same day as the procedure. However, it may be best to let all swelling subside, which could take up to three weeks.
Every surgical procedure carries some element of risk. However, earlobe repair is considered a very safe procedure.
The most common side effects of earlobe reduction include bruising, numbness, temporary mild swelling, and discomfort of the earlobes. The risks of this procedure include bleeding, bruising, infection, and the possible need for revision surgery.
Complications may include poor scarring and infection.
Almost every external incision will form some type of scar. If you are prone to scarring, then there is a chance that your scar will be visible.
Sunscreen, gentle massaging, and scar creams help to reduce any visible scarring. The natural contours of the ear can easily camouflage any scar that remains.
To minimize the chance of bleeding and to reduce pain, you should avoid vigorous exercise for 48 hours after earlobe surgery.
You should be able to shower the next day. We may recommend either rinsing the area with water only or washing it with an antiseptic or baby soap.
If necessary, prescription medication will be provided. Antibiotics may be taken for a few days following your surgery to prevent infection.
Follow-up is generally about one week after surgery. Dr. Jordan will see you again a few weeks later to ensure that proper healing is taking place.
While there is no risk to any major blood vessels, you may be advised to stop certain medications or take other steps to lower bleeding risk before your surgery. These will be discussed in your pre-op visit.
The discomfort associated with earlobe reduction surgery is minimal. The local anesthesia injection stings for 15-30 seconds. Once the earlobe is numbed, most patients report no discomfort and only slight pressure and tugging during the earlobe reduction procedure itself. After the surgery, you might experience mild soreness for a few days, but that shouldn’t require any pain medication stronger than Tylenol or Motrin.
The first week after surgery typically involves mild swelling and tenderness along the earlobes. The stitches are usually removed about a week after the procedure. As with most incisions, earlobe reduction scars take a few months to soften and lose their initial red color.
Earlobe reduction surgery can be safely performed at our clinic in Ridgeland.
Visit our Procedure Pricing page to learn more about the cost of an earlobe reduction in Jackson, MS. Sagging or asymmetrical earlobes can disrupt the balance of your face and make you look older than you are, leading to a loss of confidence. If you’re ready to correct aesthetic problems caused by earlobe aging, the caring team at Faces PLLC in Ridgeland, MS can help. Contact Dr. J. Randall Jordan to learn more about your options for facial rejuvenation.
