How to Treat Stretched Earring Holes

If you wear heavy earrings for long periods of time, your pierced earring holes can stretch, making it difficult to wear earrings. Here are some ways to repair stretched earring holes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Have the stretched earring holes injected with a filler.
   
   A plastic surgeon or a dermatologist can inject your stretched earring holes with a filler called Restylane to add strength to the stretched holes. Injects may cost several hundred dollars and the results will last for about a year before it needs to be repeated.

2. Use support patches.
   
   You can buy small patches to place behind the ear lobes to support them. One such brand is called Lobe Wonder Support Patches for Earrings. As long as you don't have a complete tear, these patches will make it easier for you to wear earrings.

3. Have your stretched earring holes surgically repaired.
   
   If you have a complete ear lobe tear, your only long term option is to have it surgically repaired. This can be done under local anesthesia by a plastic surgeon. Even if you have a partial tear, you may elect to have surgical repair. After the surgery, you won't be allowed to wear earrings for several weeks until the sutures are removed and your ear lobes heal completely.

Tips & Warnings

• One of the best ways to avoid stretched earring holes in the future is to wear heavier earrings only on special occasions. You should also avoid brushing your hair with earrings on or pulling a shirt over your head while wearing earrings. This can cause the earring to get caught in the fabric resulting in a tear to the ear lobe.