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.
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 10 days, back to normal activities quickly. The full process is in our
complete earlobe repair guide.
Reassuringly, revisions are uncommon: across roughly 1,000 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).
“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.
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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