Earlobe repair surgery is a short procedure, usually done under local anaesthetic, that closes a torn or stretched earlobe and leaves a fine scar. In London, the three clinics named below that publish a price start at between £495 and £650 for a repair (checked on 15 October 2026), and the one that prices both ears separately charges £900 for the pair.
This page covers what causes earlobes to split or stretch, how they are repaired, what recovery looks like and when you can wear earrings again. Prof. Hindocha plans each repair around the shape of the lobe and the cause of the damage, so a firm price is given after consultation.
Why Earlobes Tear or Stretch
Earlobe damage is more common than most people expect. Heavy earrings slowly drag through the piercing and can eventually split the lobe, and an earring caught on clothing or pulled during contact can tear it suddenly.
Gauge piercings stretch the lobe on purpose, and some people later want the hole closed. Skin also loosens with age, so lobes can lengthen and thin even without any piercing trauma.
How the Repair Is Done
The lobe is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you stay awake and comfortable. The surgeon trims the scarred edges of the split or the stretched hole, then closes the lobe in layers with fine stitches to help the edge sit flat without a notch.
The approach is chosen by the shape and size of the damage. Some techniques remove the old piercing channel, while others, such as a rotational flap, can keep part of it, which can shorten the wait before earrings.
At this practice the procedure takes around an hour including preparation, with no hospital stay and no drains. The details are on the earlobe surgery page.
What Affects Earlobe Repair Surgery Cost
The biggest factor is whether one ear or both are treated. A stretched gauge lobe that needs tissue reshaping is more involved than a simple split, and that usually shows in the quote.
Surgeon experience, clinic location and whether a consultation fee is charged separately also play a part. Keloid scars or cysts in the same lobe add complexity, which is why they are quoted separately.
Typical UK Prices
As general market context and not a quote from Prof. Hindocha, these are the prices three named London clinics publish for themselves, checked on 15 October 2026. Starting prices for a repair run from £495 to £650, and only London Skin Clinic publishes a separate price for both ears. Your own figure depends on the points above and is set after an in-person consultation.
| Clinic | Earlobe repair | Both earlobes |
|---|---|---|
| UKSKIN | From £495 | Not published |
| London Skin Clinic | £550 (one earlobe) | £900 |
| Bodyvie | From £650 (one or both lobes, confirmed at consultation) | Not published separately |
Check whether the quote includes the follow-up visit and suture removal, and whether a consultation is charged separately. A very low headline price sometimes leaves these out.
Recovery and Aftercare
Most people return to work the same day. Mild tenderness and swelling settle within a few days, and you keep the lobe clean and dry and avoid pressure on it, such as sleeping on that side.
| Stage | What You Can Expect |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Back to normal activities, keep the lobe clean and dry |
| Days 2 to 5 | Mild tenderness or swelling, a check-up within 2 to 3 days |
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Stitches removed or dissolved, scar begins to mature |
| Weeks 6 to 8 | Healing complete, re-piercing possible if wanted |
Can You Wear Earrings Again
Usually yes. Re-piercing is generally advised once the lobe has fully healed, around six to eight weeks here, and in a fresh position rather than through the old scar. Some clinics advise a longer wait of several months after a standard repair, so follow your own surgeon’s advice.
Starting with light studs helps. The same heavy earrings that caused the first split can split the repaired lobe again, so lighter jewellery is the sensible long-term choice.
Keloids and Cysts on the Earlobe
Not every earlobe problem is a tear. Piercings can leave a raised keloid scar, which the NHS describes as an overgrowth of scar tissue that can need specialist treatment, and a lump behind a healed piercing is often a cyst.
Cysts are covered separately in the post on earlobe cyst removal and what it costs. If the whole ear shape is the concern, otoplasty pricing for prominent ears is a different procedure again.
Is It Available on the NHS
Generally no. A torn or stretched earlobe is treated as cosmetic, so most people pay privately. Keloids that cause pain or other symptoms may be assessed on the NHS, so speak to your GP if that applies.
For wider context on how private surgery is priced and what quotes can leave out, see the page on understanding the cost of private plastic surgery in the UK.
Earlobe Repair With Prof Hindocha
Every consultation looks at the cause of the damage, the quality of the remaining tissue and whether you want to wear earrings again. The plan is agreed with you first, with clear aftercare and follow-up arranged from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does earlobe repair cost in the UK?
At UKSKIN, London Skin Clinic and Bodyvie, published starting prices run from £495 to £650 (checked on 15 October 2026), and London Skin Clinic charges £900 for both ears. Prof. Hindocha gives a written, itemised quote after consultation.
How long does earlobe repair take?
It is a short procedure under local anaesthetic, around an hour here including preparation, and you go home the same day.
Will an earlobe repair leave a scar?
Yes, there is a fine scar. It usually fades as it matures, although how visible it stays varies from person to person.
When can I re-pierce my ears after repair?
Typically after six to eight weeks here, once healing is complete, in a new position. Some clinics advise waiting longer, so follow your surgeon’s advice.
Can a repaired earlobe split again?
It can if the lobe is stretched again, for example by heavy earrings. Lighter jewellery lowers that risk.
Is earlobe repair available on the NHS?
Rarely. It is generally considered cosmetic, so most people pay privately.
If you would like a clear, personal figure rather than a range, book a consultation with Prof. Hindocha and the cost will be set out once your plan is agreed.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Price ranges are general market context, not a quote. Individual results vary, and suitability for any procedure can only be confirmed following an in-person consultation with a qualified, registered clinician.
