Torn or Stretched Earlobes? Your Guide to Earlobe Repair in Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shervin Naderi, MD, FACS, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Last reviewed October 28, 2026.

Many of us have a favorite pair of earrings we have stopped wearing, from a grandmother’s pearls to the pair saved for a gala in Washington DC. If a torn or stretched earlobe has kept those pieces tucked away in a drawer, a small repair can bring them back. Here is your guide to earlobe repair at The Naderi Center, from the kinds of earlobe damage to the day you can wear earrings again.

The short answer: most torn, split, stretched and gauged earlobes can be repaired in a single office visit under local anesthesia, in up to an hour for both ears, and most patients need no time off work. Because the old piercing is closed during the repair, earrings return after a healing period, usually 8 to 12 weeks. Repairs take place at our Reston office, consultations are available in Reston or Chevy Chase, and we would be delighted to help you plan.

Which kind of earlobe damage do I have?

Most earlobe concerns fall into one of four patterns, and each is repaired a little differently. The graphic below places them side by side, so you can find the one that looks most like yours before your consultation.

An elongated piercing hole is the most common. Years of heavier earrings, or an earring that catches on a pillow or a sweater, slowly stretches the hole into a slit while the lower edge stays intact. Earrings that tilt forward or slip out are often the first sign.

A complete split happens when an earring pulls all the way through, leaving a cleft to the bottom of the lobe. Gauged or widely stretched openings are a close cousin, with thinned tissue surrounding a large hole. In both cases Dr. Naderi rearranges the soft tissue and replaces what has been damaged, so the lobe regains a natural size and shape.

The fourth pattern has little to do with earrings. Earlobes lengthen and lose fullness with age, and a small in-office reduction can gently shorten a long, creased lobe. For a lobe that has simply thinned, a little hyaluronic acid filler, placed by one of our physicians, can restore its softness. “The earlobe is a small detail, but people notice it more than they expect,” says Dr. Naderi. “When the lobe is in proportion, the whole side of the face looks more rested.”

How is a torn earlobe repaired?

Earlobe repair, which surgeons call lobuloplasty, is one of the most straightforward procedures Dr. Naderi performs. It takes place in our office, and because the earlobe has very few nerves, the visit is comfortable from start to finish.

For a partial tear, Dr. Naderi carefully removes the thin skin lining the tear, which would otherwise keep the edges from knitting together, and then closes the lobe with fine dissolvable sutures. A full split or a stretched opening calls for a bit more artistry, since the tissue is rearranged so the lower edge heals smoothly without a notch. “With every earlobe repair, I’m picturing how the lobe will look in profile a year from now,” says Dr. Naderi. “Careful alignment of the edges is what allows the scar to settle softly into the natural curve.”

If you let our team know when you book a consultation at our Reston office, the repair can often be done the same day. You are also welcome to drive yourself home afterward.

When can I wear earrings again after earlobe repair?

Dr. Naderi waits at least 4 to 6 weeks before re-piercing a repaired earlobe, and most patients are ready at 8 to 12 weeks, once the tissue has regained its strength.

If you have a wedding, a gala or a special pair of earrings in mind, count back about three months from the date and let us know when you book, so we can plan your repair and re-piercing around it.

Re-piercing is done here in the office, and the new hole is placed at least 3 millimeters from the scar line, where the tissue is strongest. We suggest lightweight studs to begin, saving heavier and dangling earrings until about six months after re-piercing. “A little patience after the repair is the kindest thing you can do for your earlobe,” says Dr. Naderi. “I would much rather a patient wait a few extra weeks than see a beautiful repair stretched again.”

What is recovery like after earlobe repair?

Recovery is gentle, and because the sutures dissolve on their own, there are no stitches to remove. You may shower and wash your hair the day after, using a mild baby shampoo for the first week and taking care not to scrub the area. Any tenderness is usually eased with over-the-counter pain relievers, and swelling or bruising fades within a few weeks.

For the first week, we ask that you avoid turtlenecks and holding your phone against the repaired ear, and that you keep the lobes out of strong sun. Our earlobe repair recovery guide walks through each day in more detail.

Many patients like to schedule their repair toward the end of the week. A patient coming from Vienna or Great Falls on a Thursday afternoon can rest quietly over the weekend and return to the office on Monday feeling entirely like themselves.

Because earlobe repair involves an incision, a fine scar remains, and over time it almost always becomes very difficult to see. The procedure is low in risk, though infection, keloid formation, uneven scar healing and the occasional need for a revision are possible, and Dr. Naderi reviews each of these with you in person. “If you have ever formed a raised or thick scar after a piercing, please tell me at your consultation,” he says. “That history helps us plan the repair and your follow-up care together.”

Where can I get earlobe repair near McLean, Bethesda or Washington DC?

Earlobe repair is performed at our Reston office, and consultations are offered at both of our offices. Our Reston office is at 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavillion II, Suite 551, Reston, VA 20190, (703) 481-0002, a comfortable drive for patients from McLean. Our Chevy Chase office is at 5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 1655, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, (301) 222-2020, close to Bethesda and Potomac and an easy trip from Washington DC.

Patients from Arlington and Alexandria are welcome to begin with a consultation at whichever office suits their week, and the repair itself takes place in Reston. Dr. Naderi cares for you personally, from your consultation through re-piercing.

Who performs earlobe repair at The Naderi Center?

Dr. Shervin Naderi, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, performs earlobe repair himself. His practice is devoted entirely to the face and neck, and Newsweek has named him one of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons four years running.

That training matters even for a small procedure. The earlobe is soft, mobile and always on view, and the same eye for proportion that guides a rhinoplasty helps a repaired lobe sit naturally beside the jawline. “Every earlobe repair receives the same care as a larger surgery,” says Dr. Naderi. “Small details are what make a result look as though nothing was ever done.”

Is earlobe repair the same as otoplasty?

No, the two treat different concerns. Earlobe repair restores the soft lobe, while otoplasty reshapes the cartilage of ears that protrude or are large or uneven, under general anesthesia and through incisions hidden behind the ears.

Earlobe repair can also be paired with a larger procedure. Many patients who choose a neck lift or a facelift have their earlobes refreshed during the same surgery, so the result looks complete. “When we’re already refining the jawline and neck, a lobe that has been stretched for years can stand out,” says Dr. Naderi. “Repairing it at the same time is a lovely finishing touch.”

Earlobe repair before and after photos

Real patients of The Naderi Center. Individual results vary.

How should I prepare for my earlobe repair?

Preparation is simple. Please avoid aspirin and products that contain it for at least a week beforehand, and avoid smoking and alcohol for 48 hours before your visit, since both can slow healing.

On the day itself, we suggest a top that buttons or has an open neckline, so nothing needs to pull over your ears on the way home. You are also welcome to bring the earrings you hope to wear again, and Dr. Naderi will gladly talk with you about when each pair will be a good choice.

Whether it is a family heirloom or a pair you have missed for years, we would love to help you wear it again with confidence. Book an appointment at our Reston or Chevy Chase office, and our team will be glad to find a time that fits your calendar.

Frequently asked questions

How much does earlobe repair cost at The Naderi Center?

Earlobe repair is $2,000 to $2,600 per earlobe, which includes the facility fee and re-piercing.

Can men have earlobe repair?

Yes. Earlobe repair is the same gentle procedure for men and women, including men who would like to close gauged piercings.

Can I start with a virtual consultation?

Yes. Consultations with Dr. Naderi are available in person or virtually, so you can share your concerns and begin planning before your office visit.

When can I swim after earlobe repair?

Please keep your ears out of pools, bathtubs, hot tubs and open water for 4 to 6 weeks while the incision heals.

When can I exercise after earlobe repair?

Light walking is fine right away, as long as nothing pulls on the ear. We suggest waiting 1 to 2 weeks before strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.