Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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Most earlobe repairs heal well, but occasionally a first repair leaves a notch, a thickened scar, slight asymmetry, or a re-tear, and a revision is needed. The good news is that a disappointing earlobe repair can almost always be improved with a second, carefully planned procedure. The key is to wait for the scar to fully mature before revising, because a fresh scar looks its worst early and keeps improving for months. Here is why repairs fail, when to revise, what it involves, and the result you can expect.
Why a First Repair Sometimes Fails
The usual reasons a repair disappoints:
- A notch at the lower edge, the commonest issue, from a straight closure where a small geometric (Z-plasty) step was needed to rebuild the rim.
- A thick or keloid scar, more likely in those prone to it, especially if scar-management aftercare was not used.
- Asymmetry, where the repaired lobe does not match the other in height or shape.
- Re-tear, usually from returning to heavy earrings or re-piercing through the scar too soon, rather than the repair itself.
What a notch actually is. An unintended V-shaped or angular indentation in the edge of the earlobe following repair. It happens when the two sides of the split are not accurately aligned, or when there is too much tension at the edge.
The other route to a poor result is not the surgery at all: re-piercing too early, through the scar. That is the usual reason a repair gives way. A partial wound breakdown can also leave the split incompletely closed. Both need revision surgery.
Many of these trace back to technique, which is why revision is best done by an experienced consultant plastic surgeon.
When to Consider a Revision
The single most important rule is, do not rush it. A fresh scar is red, firm and at its worst-looking for the first weeks, and it keeps softening for months. Judging, and revising, too early risks operating on a scar that would have settled anyway. As a guide, wait until the scar has matured (several months, often around a year) before deciding on revision, unless there is an obvious structural problem like a clear notch. A scar-minimisation routine in the meantime often improves things without surgery.
What a Revision Involves
Revision is a similar minor procedure to the original repair, under local anaesthetic. The old scar and any notch are excised, and the lobe is re-closed, often with a geometric step to correct a notch, or with scar management built in for thick scarring. It is a same-day procedure with the same recovery as a first repair: outer stitches out at about two weeks, back to normal activities quickly. The full process is in our complete earlobe repair guide. Reassuringly, revisions are uncommon: across roughly 2,500 repairs at our clinic, both re-tears and revisions are rare. And if a repair we performed ever does need refining, there is no charge for revising our own work; a revision of a repair originally done at another clinic is priced as a standard repair (£550 for one lobe, £900 for both).
“The quality of the repair depends on precise alignment of the tissues, creating a strong internal repair using layered sutures and avoiding tension on the delicate edge of the lobe.”
Mr Onur Gilleard, Consultant Plastic Surgeon
“Excellent service for a small earlobe treatment. Friendly and helpful nurse and excellent surgeon. A positive experience.”
Carol C., verified Google review
What Result to Expect
A well-timed revision usually gives a noticeably better contour: a smoother lower edge, a flatter and paler scar, and closer symmetry with the other lobe. As with any earlobe surgery, the aim is a natural-looking lobe with a fine scar line rather than an invisible one. Once the revision has fully matured, the lobe can be re-pierced again, away from the scar, following the usual re-tear prevention advice so the result lasts.
A revision after a repair done elsewhere
A patient presented following a previous earlobe repair performed elsewhere. Although the lobe had healed, the contour was uneven with a notch. The previous repair was revised, removing the irregular scar tissue and realigning the lobe edge with a Z-plasty to restore a more natural contour. The result improved progressively as the scar matured during follow-up.
Common Questions
- Can a notch from a previous earlobe repair be fixed?
- Yes. A notch on the lower edge is the commonest reason for revision and is corrected by excising the scar and re-closing the rim, usually with a small geometric (Z-plasty) step to rebuild a smooth contour.
- How long should I wait before revising a repair?
- Usually until the scar has fully matured, several months and often around a year, because a fresh scar looks its worst early and keeps improving. The exception is a clear structural problem like a notch, which can be planned sooner.
- Can you revise a repair done elsewhere?
- Yes, revision of a repair originally done at another clinic is common. The surgeon assesses the lobe and scar and plans a corrective procedure, so book a consultation to discuss your specific result.
- How much does a revision cost?
- There is no charge to revise a repair we performed at London Skin Clinic. A revision of a repair originally done at another clinic is priced as a standard repair, £550 for one lobe and £900 for both, with a £100 consultation, confirmed once the lobe and scar have been assessed.
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