\n Some people experience problems with their earlobes related to ear\n piercing. This can be due to conventional ear piercing that has become\n stretched, or from deliberately stretching the earlobe with large ear\n studs or ear piercing.\n
\n\n\n Heavy earrings can stretch a normal, small ear piercing to a defect that\n is too large to hold a small ear stud, leading to small earrings falling\n out.\n
\n\n\n Larger ear studs can leave a larger defect in the stretched earlobe\n which some people may regret and wish to have repaired. This can be a\n problem for people wishing to join the Defence Force for example.\n
\n\n\n The split earlobe defects and stretched ear piercing defects can be\n repaired quite simply under local anaesthetic.\n
\n\n\n There are two main options which can be employed depending on whether\n one desires to maintain an ear piercing or not.\n
\n\n\n A small flap of skin can be rotated to maintain the piercing whilst\n repairing the stretched earlobe defect around it. This gives a linear\n scar which typically extends down to the ear margin and heals very well.\n
\n\n\n Alternatively the previous piercing can be excised. This tends to\n elongate the earlobe which can make it look a little pointy and it may\n be better to remove a wedge of the earlobe so that it heals with a more\n normal looking shape. Each situation is slightly different and the\n technique requires tailoring to the individual.\n
\n\n\n The procedure is done under local anaesthetic and typically takes one\n hour. It can be done in a Day Surgery or as an office procedure. Deep\n dissolving sutures are used as well as sutures that are removed the\n following week. Typically one should not wear piercing for six weeks.\n
\n\n\n Browse Dr. Graham Sellars' full range of surgical and non-surgical\n procedures.\n
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