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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOver time, skin will grow into the hole and line the internal surface of the puncture. Once this happens, the hole may shrink, but is unable to completely close, even with the piercing removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regular ear piercings can become cosmetically unappealing to some people. Worse still is the increasingly common practice called gauged earlobe stretching. This involves the use of expanders, known as gauges, to stretch the earlobe wide enough to insert increasingly larger decorative plugs. This can cause thinning and distortion of the earlobe tissues and lead to permanent damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patients with ear piercings \u2013 especially those who wear gauged earrings \u2013 sometimes come to regret their decision afterward. Surgery to close earlobe holes is possible, but tricky; gauge earring defects require new tissue in order to close the hole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Is Earlobe Repair Performed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Suturing it shut would result in an earlobe with an abnormal contour, so tissue is recruited from other areas of the earlobe in what is known as a local flap reconstruction. The procedure is generally performed in an outpatient setting using local anesthesia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sutures to close the skin should remain in place for several days afterward before being removed. Some swelling is common and to be expected, but that should go away after a few days. <\/p>\n\n\n