The only way to repair earring holes that are stretched because you wear heavy earrings is with surgery.A doctor cuts a hole in a patient's body and sews it back together.You can have your ears healed within a few weeks.If you want to pierce them again, you have to wait longer.
Step 1: You can schedule consultations with 2 or 3 doctors.
Ear repair surgery isn't covered by private insurance.Because you'll likely be paying for the procedure yourself, you want to make sure that the doctor you choose is someone who can do good work.Most surgeons will give you a free consultation.They'll look at your ear and tell you what they can do to fix it.Ask each doctor a lot of questions, including how long they've been practicing and how many procedures they have done.There are pictures from previous surgeries that plastic surgeons have.Depending on the complexity of the damage to your ear, the costs for this procedure vary.At your initial consultation, the doctor will let you know the total price.
Step 2: Ensure you're healthy enough for surgery by providing your medical history.
Discuss your health history with the doctor after you choose them.Your doctor may ask you questions about any surgeries you have had in the past.Tell the truth to make sure you are safe for the surgery.Even though ear repair surgery is a relatively minor procedure, there are still some risks, especially if you're taking medication for a chronic medical condition.
Step 3: Follow your doctor's instructions.
Your doctor will tell you what you need to do to prepare for ear repair surgery based on your lab results and medical background.You don't need to do anything special if you're healthy.On the day of surgery, your doctor will usually tell you not to smoke or drink.If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may advise you not to take blood thinners.Make sure you drink plenty of water.It will help with recovery.Take no blood thinners or supplements for 2 weeks before your surgery.
Step 4: The procedure can be done at your doctor's office.
Ear repair surgery can be done in the doctor's office.After numbing your ear lobe, your doctor will cut the edges of the earring hole to remove a thin layer of skin.They will put it back together.The procedure will take about half an hour.It might take longer if you have more complicated ear damage.You'll usually have sutures on the back of your ear.The sutures need to be taken out in about a week.Before you leave the office, your doctor will usually schedule this appointment.It's perfectly safe to drive yourself because doctors typically only use local anesthesia for this procedure.
Step 5: Wait 2 days before you wash your hair.
You won't be able to wash your hair or take a shower for at least 48 hours after the initial surgery.You should not swim during this time.If you have long hair, you might want to pull it back so that it doesn't affect your ears or the surgical site.Ask your doctor when you can return to swimming.It is usually okay to do so after the initial 2 days.Your doctor may want you to cover your ears to protect them from the chlorine in the pool.If you want your sutures to heal properly, avoid submerging your ears for the first few days.
Step 6: It's a good idea to clean the sutures and cover them with an antibiotic at least 2 to 3 times a day.
After surgery, you should clean your ear lobes at least once a day for the first 2 to 3 days.You can either use soap and water or a saline solution to clean your ear lobes after surgery.After washing and drying them, put them in an antibiotic ointment.A specific brand of cleaning solution may be recommended by your doctor.If you prefer another brand, ask if you can use it.
Step 7: A cold compress can be used to reduce swelling.
Your ear lobe may be swollen in the first 24 hours after your surgery.If you have swelling in your ear, placing an ice cube on it can help.It is possible to do this for 20 minutes once every 2 hours.You need a towel or a washcloth to protect your skin.Don't put frozen items on your skin.
Step 8: If you need pain medication, take it as needed.
You may feel some pain after a more complex ear repair, but it's usually not much.Many over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, thin your blood and can cause bleeding from the surgical wound.If you feel like you need something for pain, take tylenol.If your doctor tells you not to, follow the instructions on the bottle.If you were taking a blood thinner for a medical condition, your doctor might advise you to stop taking it for the first day or two after your surgery if it would put your health at risk.Garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, and green tea are some herbal supplements that may have blood-thinning properties.
Step 9: Return to your doctor's office after a week.
You will have a doctor's appointment within 7 to 10 days after your surgery to remove your sutures.They will talk to you about the healing process.It may take 2 to 4 weeks for your ears to heal.After the sutures are removed, your doctor can give you an estimate.If you had holes stretched by heavy earrings repaired, you'll have a small scar.Your ears will look the same, except for that scar.If you had larger holes repaired, you will have a bigger scar and a different ear lobe shape.
Step 10: Wait at least 6 weeks before having your ears pierced.
Before you get your ears pierced again, your doctor will typically tell you how long you should wait.Depending on the complexity of the repair, the length of time will be different.Follow your doctor's instructions if you are told to wait longer than 6 weeks.If you want to have your ears re-pierced sooner, you should let them know.Depending on the complexity of the repair surgery and how much you stretched them, you may never be able to pierce your ears again.
Step 11: You should swap out your heavy earrings for lighter ones.
Heavy earrings will cause your earring holes to stretch.If you've had stretched holes repaired before, this is even more true.If you like large fashion earrings, look for ones that are hollow or made out of more lightweight materials.If you want to save your ears, you can convert your large fashion earrings into clip-ons and wear them that way.
Step 12: As soon as you get home, take your earrings out.
Don't wear your earrings when you're at home, especially the heavier ones.If you have a table near the door, place a small decorative bowl or dish on the table so that you can put your earrings on it.If you leave earrings in for a short time after you get home, always take them off before you go to bed.Sleeping in your earrings can cause injury.
Step 13: To distribute the weight, use more supportive earring backs.
The weight is held on one point when wearing pierced earrings.heavier earrings are less likely to cause holes to stretch if you distribute the weight across a wider portion of your ear lobe.earring backs can be purchased at jewelry stores or online.They distribute the weight of heavy earrings.You can replace your regular earring backs with more supportive ones.
Step 14: Don't wear earrings that can easily be caught.
Long earrings can get caught on your coat or collar.They'll gradually stretch your earring holes when they pull on your ear.If you like dangly earrings, you should look for ones that don't have hooks or points that could easily get caught on something, or ones made from a material that does not tangle.