Ear Contouring

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Alhambra and Santa Ana

Ear contouring (otoplasty) is a procedure that reshapes your ears and improves their size for a more proportional, balanced facial profile. Are you dissatisfied with the size of your ears? Are they too big? Are they not proportional to the rest of your face? Do your ears protrude excessively? Or have you removed gauges that left you with large holes in your ears? With an ear contouring procedure, we can adjust them to help you feel more comfortable.

At SkinZone Medical, Dr. Hannah Vu has decades of experience helping patients achieve beautiful, natural-looking results with cosmetic procedures that address signs of aging and create facial balance. She is well-known for her artistic eye and innovative methods.

Contact one of our Southern California offices to learn more about how she can improve your quality of life with ear contouring:

Before and After Photos

Otoplasty Before & After Patient #3095
Otoplasty Before & After Patient #3095
Otoplasty Before & After Patient #3100
Otoplasty Before & After Patient #3100
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About Ear Contouring

Otoplasty has gained popularity among individuals who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their ears due to various reasons such as disproportionate size, protrusion, asymmetry, birth defects, injury, or dissatisfaction with previous ear surgeries. Protruding ears can affect facial balance and impact your self-esteem. (1) Some patients only have one ear that protrudes, while others experience protruding ears on both sides depending on genetic factors. Fortunately, we can correct ear abnormalities with cosmetic procedures that require minimal downtime and enhance the look of your ears. Surgeons performed 363,915 cosmetic facial procedures in 2023 to help patients meet their aesthetic goals. (2) Whether you wish to reshape your ears, reduce their size, or make them more symmetrical, Dr. Vu can help you achieve the look you desire.

Types of Otoplasty

  • Prominent Ear Correction: Prominent ears refer to ears that stick out excessively from the head. This technique aims to bring the ears closer to the sides of the head for a more balanced look.
  • Asymmetry: She can perform the procedure on one ear (unilateral otoplasty) if you are only experiencing one protruding ear.
  • Earlobe Reduction: This technique reduces the size of elongated or oversized earlobes, creating a more proportionate appearance.
  • Corrective Ear Surgery: Corrective ear surgery is performed to address various ear deformities or abnormalities, including those resulting from birth defects or traumatic injuries.

Ear Contouring Benefits

Many patients enjoy the results of ear contouring because it is an effective procedure, and there is minimal downtime and scarring. Dr. Vu makes a discrete incision along the natural curve of the ear to permanently adjust the skin and cartilage for your desired ear shape. The benefits of ear contouring include:

  • Balanced facial proportions: Dr. Vu can reduce the size of your ears including the earlobes or reposition your skin for a less pronounced look.
  • Improved quality of life: Contouring your ears can improve your self-esteem and prevent bullying that can affect your daily life.
  • Long-lasting results: Dr. Vu can permanently adjust the shape and size of the ears for permanent results.
  • Minimal downtime: You can return to work shortly after your procedure while your ears continue to heal.
  • Improved hairstyles and clothing options: You no longer have to hide your ears behind hairstyles or hats.

Candidates & Consultation

Suitable candidates for ear contouring are healthy, non smoking individuals without any outstanding conditions that could affect their ability to heal from the procedure. Candidates should also have realistic expectations about the results they can achieve with the procedure. Although you may not be able to achieve perfectly symmetrical ears, Dr. Vu can improve their appearance with ear contouring. During your consultation, Dr. Vu will ask about your medical history and your aesthetic goals to determine the best type of procedure. She can perform otoplasty with or without incisions, depending on the complexity of your aesthetic goals. Please come prepared to discuss your lifestyle, current medications, and any surgeries you have had in the past. If you are dissatisfied with a previous ear contouring procedure, Dr. Vu can discuss a revision otoplasty for your desired look.

Preparation

To prepare for otoplasty, you will need to:

  • Stop smoking for approximately 6 weeks before and after your procedure
  • Get adequate rest and stay hydrated
  • Stop taking medications and supplements that thin your blood
  • Avoid sun exposure to prevent sun damage to the skin on your ears
  • Arrange for 1 week off work
  • Ask an adult you trust to drive you home and monitor you for 24-48 hours

You will also need to be prepared to make some adjustments to your exercise routine during your recovery. Participating in light exercise and adjusting your lifestyle to include more leisurely activities will help your body heal.

Ear Contouring Procedure

For less complex procedures, Dr. Vu can use a thin needle and local anesthesia to loosen the cartilage and reposition the ear without an incision. She can mold the cartilage to reshape the ear without breaking it unless your aesthetic goals require cartilage excision. (3) For more complex adjustments, Dr. Vu will make an incision behind the ear along the outer ear crease and remove cartilage or skin. She may also fold the cartilage behind the ear and apply sutures to keep your ear in its new position as it heals. Typical otoplasty procedures take about two hours, and recovery usually takes anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Ear Contouring Recovery

After your procedure, you can return home the same day. You will likely experience some swelling around the incision site, and some patients also experience temporary bruising. Dr. Vu can recommend over-the-counter medication or prescribe medication depending on your needs. We will schedule a follow-up appointment within the same week as your procedure to monitor your recovery, and you will need to rest for approximately 1 week to allow your ears to heal. You will need to wear a protective headband while you sleep to help your ears heal properly for the next month after your procedure. Dr. Vu can remove sutures after 10 days unless you receive dissolvable sutures, depending on your procedure. You can resume regular exercise after 1-2 months.

Ear Contouring Results

After 2-3 weeks, your ears will start to settle into their new position, and you can enjoy the full benefits of the ear contouring. You can enjoy a more balanced, proportional look. Dr. Vu makes careful, discrete incisions for a natural-looking contour. Since the procedure permanently adjusts the cartilage and skin on your ears, the results are long-lasting. You will, however, need to care for your incisions properly and avoid sun exposure that could damage your skin.

Cost of Ear Surgery in Santa Ana

We can provide an all-inclusive quote during your consultation based on the type of otoplasty procedure you need and whether or not you need additional treatments for your aesthetic goals. We also offer financing to help make your procedure more accessible.

Contact our office to learn more about how otoplasty can help you achieve a more balanced facial profile:

If you need additional procedures to meet your body goals, see our blog.

FAQ

Is ear contouring safe?

Yes, ear contouring is safe for patients who do not have a condition such as a blood clotting disorder that would affect their ability to heal. During your consultation, we will examine your medical history to determine the best type of procedure for your needs.

Will I need more than one ear contouring procedure?

No, you should not need another ear contouring procedure because your surgeon will permanently adjust your cartilage. However, if you had an ear contouring surgery previously and you are not satisfied with your results, your surgeon can perform a revision to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Can ear contouring correct one ear that is protruding?

Yes, your surgeon can perform otoplasty on one or both ears depending on your needs. The procedure is customizable, and you do not have to contour both ears.

Can children undergo an ear contouring procedure?

Yes, children can undergo ear contouring as well. Children 5 years and older are eligible to have this procedure.

Is it possible to combine ear contouring with other procedures?

We can combine ear contouring with several other procedures and can discuss your aesthetic goals during your consultation.

If I have gauged ears, can otoplasty fix them?

Yes, an ear contouring procedure to repair the earlobe can address large holes left by gauges.

Will otoplasty leave scars?

Dr. Vu takes great care to place incisions in inconspicuous areas such as within the natural creases or behind the ears for optimal concealment. With proper postoperative care, any resulting scars should fade over time and become less noticeable.

References

  1. Naumann A. Otoplasty – techniques, characteristics, and risks. GMS Current Topics in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. 2008;6:Doc04. Accessed December 31, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3199845/
  2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
  3. Nazarian R, Eshraghi AA. Otoplasty for the Protruded Ear. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2011;25(4):288-294. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1288921