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Split earlobe repair in Edinburgh

Repairs split, torn or stretched earlobes in around 40 minutes under local anaesthetic. Once the lobe has healed, your consultant will advise when and where it can be pierced again.

Your consultants
Clinician examining a stretched earlobe piercing
Anaesthetic
Local anaesthesia
Surgery time
40 min
Recovery
No time off work is required

Contents

Who is an ideal candidate?

Suitable candidates for split earlobe repair:

  • Have a split, torn or stretched earlobe from earrings, gauges or trauma
  • Want to restore the natural earlobe shape — whether to wear earrings again or simply for appearance
  • Are in good general health with realistic expectations about the outcome

The procedure is straightforward and suitable for most adults. A consultation is the appropriate place to confirm what is involved in your specific case.

What the procedure involves

Split earlobe repair at Waterfront is a short outpatient procedure, typically completed within 40 minutes:

  • Local anaesthesia: the earlobe is numbed before the procedure begins.
  • Refreshing the edges: the thin layer of skin lining each side of the split is removed to create fresh, raw edges that will heal together.
  • Suturing: the fresh edges are brought together and closed with fine sutures, restoring the earlobe’s natural shape.

You go home the same day. Both earlobes can be repaired in a single session where needed.

What split earlobe repair can and can’t do

Split earlobe repair is a short procedure under local anaesthetic, and it works well for most people. It still leaves a scar and it has limits, and we would rather you knew them before you book.

It can

  • Close a split or torn earlobe, whether the split is partial or complete.
  • Repair an earlobe stretched by gauges, plugs or heavy earrings.
  • Repair both earlobes in one session.
  • Let you wear earrings again, once the lobe has healed and been re-pierced.

It can’t

  • Make the repaired lobe identical to the other. A small notch or change in shape may remain on close inspection.
  • Be re-pierced through the scar. Wait at least three to six months, and place the new piercing slightly away from the repair to reduce the risk of it splitting again.
  • Stand up to heavy earrings. Heavy or dragging earrings can stretch or split a repaired lobe again, so use light earrings for the first months after re-piercing.
  • Leave no scar. A fine line scar follows the repair and is permanent, though it usually fades well.

Your consultant will tell you at your consultation which of these apply to you.

What is the cost of split earlobe repair?

Where appropriate, split earlobe repair can be performed in the same session as prominent ear correction — combined pricing is quoted at consultation.

The full price for your individual case is confirmed at consultation.

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Questions before you book?

Ask anything about split earlobe repair, its recovery, risks or cost, any time and in plain language. If you would like, our team can contact you afterwards.

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General information, not a substitute for a consultation.

Patients often ask

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Quick answers

How much does split earlobe repair cost?
Guide prices are listed in the Cost section above. The full price for your individual case is confirmed at consultation.

Can I spread the cost?
Yes. You can pay in full two weeks before your procedure, or spread the cost with interest-free finance through Omni Capital Retail Finance over 6 or 10 months, with a deposit of between 10% and 50%. There is no interest and no hidden fee, and most applicants get a decision straight away. We do not accept private medical insurance for cosmetic treatment.
Can I have a split earlobe repaired on the NHS?
Split or stretched earlobe repair is usually treated as cosmetic and is not normally available on the NHS. At Waterfront it is done under local anaesthetic, walk in and walk out, £1,100 for one earlobe or £1,950 for both.
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my split earlobe repair?
Yes. The consultant who assesses you at consultation is the consultant who performs the procedure and follows up afterwards. There is no handover between assessment and surgery, no patient coordinator, and no surgeon rotation.
Can I have both earlobes repaired at the same time?
Yes, this is common. Both earlobes can be repaired in a single session, and combined pricing applies (see Cost section above).
Can split earlobe repair fix stretched ears from gauges?
Yes. Stretched earlobes — whether from gauges, plugs, or repeated wearing of heavy earrings — can be repaired using the same general technique, with adjustments to suit the extent of the stretching. Larger stretches may require a slightly different surgical approach, which your consultant will discuss at consultation.
Will I be able to re-pierce my earlobes after the procedure?
Yes, you can re-pierce the earlobes once they are fully healed — typically wait at least three to six months. The new piercing is best placed in a slightly different position from the original to reduce the risk of the earlobe splitting again. Use light earrings for the first months after re-piercing.
Is there any downtime after the procedure?
Very little. Most patients return to normal activities the same day or the next day. Strenuous activities and anything that risks knocking the earlobe should be avoided for the first week or two while sutures are in place.
Will I need someone to take me home after the procedure?
Not for medical reasons — the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and you can travel home unaccompanied. Many patients still find it more comfortable to have someone with them on the day.
How long does it take to see the final results?
The repair is visible immediately, but the final result emerges over a few weeks as the swelling settles and the scar matures. Scars continue to fade over six to twelve months.
Will the scar be visible?
A fine line scar follows the repair and is permanent. It is usually inconspicuous in everyday life and fades over months. Your consultant will discuss what to expect for your specific case at consultation.
Can split earlobe repair be combined with prominent ear correction?
Yes. The two procedures can be performed in the same session in many cases. See our prominent ear correction page for more information.
What should I expect during the consultation?
At consultation your consultant will examine your earlobes, discuss what you want the procedure to address, explain the approach, and give you a realistic view of the outcome. The consultation is unhurried and there is no expectation that you book on the day.
What happens if I have concerns after my procedure?
A nurse can review you if needed during the first week. Beyond that, your consultant is always available — if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.

Our split earlobe repair specialists

You meet your consultant at your first appointment. The same consultant plans your treatment, carries it out and sees you afterwards.

Ms Ewa Majdak-Paredes

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Mr Will Anderson

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS

Mr Ken Stewart

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Mr Kazem Nassar

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)

great service

Absolutely delighted with the service received at Waterfront hospital.
I was explained clearly what the procedure was going to be.
As the surgery needed was minor I was seen and procedure was done on the spot. In and out within 45 min.

Jean Christophe
May 2026 Read on Trustpilot (opens in a new tab)

4.9TrustScoreout of 5

583 reviews

All reviews on Trustpilot

Risks, and how often they happen

Every operation carries risk. Here they are in three groups. The figures come from UK national guidance and published studies, averaged across many patients, so your own risk may be higher or lower. Your consultant will go through what applies to you, and every risk is in your written consent.

Expected Almost everyone, and they settle

  • Mild soreness and swelling for the first few days.
  • Stitches, removed at around one week.
  • A fine line scar, red at first and fading over six to twelve months.

Uncommon Some patients, and some need further treatment

  • A small notch or uneven edge at the lower edge of the lobe, more likely after a large tear. It can be revised.
    About 1 in 10
  • The lobe splitting again, most often when it is re-pierced through the scar or heavy earrings are worn too soon.
    About 1 in 100over four to ten years

Rare but serious

  • A true allergic reaction to the local anaesthetic.
    Very rare

For the long term

  • Keloid scars are more common on the earlobe than in most places. If you have had a keloid before, after a piercing or any other cut, tell your consultant at consultation.
  • The scar keeps fading for six to twelve months and is usually hard to see in everyday life.
Where these figures come from

Aftercare and Recovery

Recovery from split earlobe repair is quick. Most patients return to normal activities the same day or the day after, with no time off work usually required. Sutures are removed at around one week, and the area is fully healed within a few weeks.

You will be given specific aftercare instructions, including how to keep the area clean, whether to apply an antibiotic ointment, and how to protect the earlobe during early healing. Re-piercing — if you want it — should wait at least three to six months and is best placed in a slightly different position than the original to reduce the risk of splitting again.

A nurse can review you if needed during the first week. Beyond that, your consultant is always available if anything concerns you — they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.

  1. Day of surgeryHome within the hour. Earlobe repair is done under local anaesthetic.
  2. Next dayBack to work.
  3. Days 7–14Stitches out at Waterfront.
  4. 12 monthsNurse reviews, dressing clinics and the treatment of any complications are included.

Typical timings. Your consultant and nurse will tailor them to you.

Written by

Mr Will Anderson, consultant plastic surgeon

Mr Will Anderson is a fully accredited Consultant Plastic Surgeon in Edinburgh on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery (3679250). Having served as an NHS Consultant since 2008, he specialises in advanced reconstructive, cosmetic, and laser surgery. With global training and an MSc from University College London, he is renowned for his patient-centred care at Waterfront Private Hospital. He is a full member of BAAPS.