Cleft earlobes from earrings that have pulled through are a common problem. Most people have the wrong impression about how to prevent this from happening. They buy the "Best" earring that they can. Interestingly, solid gold is a very heavy metal. It is actually best to use the lightest earrings possible.
Very thin posts should be avoided as well. Think of a cheese knife. It is a thin wire that easily cuts. A somewhat thicker post will distribute the weight better and actually pull through less!
Repairing cleft earlobes is a very short procedure under local anesthesia and I recommend
re-piercing at about 6 weeks.
Ear setback is also a frequently performed procedure. The majority of patients
are corrected at about age 7. The ears have achieved 90% or more of their full growth and
at that age, other children begin to taunt the child with protruding ears. Many adults who
never were offered correction as a child also undergo this surgery. In a child, it is done
asleep. In an adult, I perform this surgery awake under local anesthesia. A protective
dressing is worn for about 5 days and a headband to sleep for 3 weeks.
Contact us for more information on this procedure.
