If you're starting a new job or just want a fresh look, you should consider closing stretched ears.Although they won't completely seal shut, you can reduce the size of the holes by wearing smaller gauged jewelry.To help heal the scar tissue, massage your ears with oil.Stitching the holes shut and restoring the shape of the ear lobes is the best way to look your best.
Step 1: Expectations should be realistic.
Your ears will never completely close because your ear lobes healed around the tunnel, plug, or taper you used to stretch them.Shrinking the size of the holes is the best expectation.If you experienced any of the above, your ears may not shrink as much.The size of your holes is one of the factors that determines how much your ears will shrink.How long did you stretch?Your skin is elastic.
Step 2: Wear your plug for at least 3 to 4 days if you decrease it by 1 size.
Put the smaller plug, tunnel, or taper in your ear.If you want your ear to hold the smaller piece, leave it in for 3 to 4 days or up to a week.They may fall out of your ear if you switch too quickly.If your normal gauge is 000g (10.4mm), put a 0 in your ear.
Step 3: Continue to decrease the gauge until you wear a 17g.
After your ears can comfortably hold the smaller piece, switch to the next smaller size gauge.It can be kept in for up to a week.Continue decreasing the gauge until you reach the smallest one.20g fits a standard wire earring.
Step 4: Remove the gauge and rinse your ears.
Once they're at the smallest gauge, remove the plugs, tunnels, and tapers.If you want to clean your ear lobes, you need to dip a clean cloth or cotton swab in water.Don't clean your ears with antiseptic.It will dry out your ear lobes.
Step 5: You can massage your ear lobes with oil.
Take the time to massage your ear lobes every day after the plugs are out.Rub the oil into your lobes after you dip your fingers in it.You can use ear butter, which is a mixture of two oils.
Step 6: If you want to speed up the healing time, try applying a hemorrhoid cream.
Some people believe that spreading a small amount of hemorrhoid cream on the holes will reduce scar tissue and allow holes to close faster.Rub the cream over the holes with your fingers.There is a local anesthetic in hemorrhoid cream that can be used to relieve pain.
Step 7: Continue to massage the lobes.
Your ears will probably close within a few months if you don't stretch your ears very much or wear plugs for a long time.If you wore jewelry for a long time, your ears may not close completely.
Step 8: Discuss the procedure with the doctor.
The surgeon will show how they'll remove some of the extra skin from the ear lobe.There will be a small scar in the center of the earlobe, but the surgeon will try to make it match its original shape.Discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery.You can develop an infection, pain, redness, or irritation, bleeding, and skin sensitivity.
Step 9: Consider the cost of surgery.
Surgery is the most expensive option for closing stretched ears.The cost of most ear lobe reconstruction surgeries is between $1,500 and $3,000.Most insurance companies won't cover this procedure because it's considered to be cosmetic.
Step 10: To close the holes, schedule the surgery.
Plan on a short procedure if you decide to have the surgery.The procedure should take less than an hour.A surgeon will cut the ear and sew it together to fix it.The scars aren't very noticeable because most surgeons make lots of very fine stitches.
Step 11: You should care for your earlobes after the surgery.
Follow the doctor's instructions after the surgery.For the first few days after surgery, you'll need to apply antibiotics to the earlobes.As the earlobes heal, the doctor may recommend that you put small bandages on them.It is likely that your ears will look bruised for a few days.To manage the pain, take over-the-counter pain medications.If the stitches need to be removed after a week, ask your surgeon.