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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A stretched earlobe, whether from years of heavy earrings or deliberate gauging with flesh tunnels,
will not shrink back on its own once the skin has been stretched past its recoil. Surgery is the only
way to restore a normal lobe. At London Skin Clinic, stretched and gauged lobes are reconstructed by consultant plastic
surgeons under local anaesthetic, the same day, in around 30 minutes. Here is how repair works, what depends on the size
of the hole (the 5 mm rule), the cost (from £550), and re-piercing afterwards.
Why a Stretched Lobe Will Not Close Itself
Small fresh piercings can shrink, but once a lobe has been stretched beyond its elastic recoil, by
heavy earrings over years or by gauging, the skin has permanently remodelled around the hole and will not close back.
Waiting does not help. The good news is that reconstruction restores a natural lobe in a single visit, and how it is done
depends mainly on the size of the hole. If you are still wearing tunnels and wondering whether to stop, the
causes of earlobe stretching
explain why the change is permanent.
How Stretched-Lobe Repair Works
Under local anaesthetic, the surgeon removes the thinned, scarred skin lining the stretched hole and rebuilds the lobe
in layers, recreating a natural rounded lower edge. It is the same family of procedure as a
split earlobe repair, but a
wide gauged hole needs more tissue rearrangement. Full reconstruction detail is in
reconstruction for gauged lobes
and closing large earlobe holes.
The full split and stretched earlobe repair procedure at London Skin Clinic.
“Great price for my earlobe repair. Super friendly clinicians. Highly recommended.”
Grant M., verified Google review
What Depends on the Hole Size
- Under about 5 mm: usually closed directly, like a split.
- Over about 5 mm: needs a wedge excision or local flap so the lobe is not left distorted.
- Very deformed, heavily gauged lobes: a local flap rebuilds the lobe’s shape rather than just closing the gap.
Your surgeon confirms which applies to your ear, and how much natural lobe height can be preserved, at the consultation.
Before and After
Even a wide tunnel can be rebuilt into a natural-looking lobe. The example below shows a gauge-stretched lobe before and
after reconstruction. The result is a normal-shaped lobe with a fine scar line, ready to re-pierce away from the scar
once it has matured.
“Got my split earlobes fixed recently. London Skin Clinic was the best place I found and was good value for money.”
Leanne B., verified Google review
Cost and Re-piercing
Cost is £550 for one lobe and £900 for both (consultation £100); see
earlobe repair cost.
Many people ask about re-piercing afterwards, and that is usually possible once the lobe has fully matured (about three
months), placed a couple of millimetres away from the scar; see
re-piercing after repair.
View the procedure ·
book a consultation.
Common Questions
- Will a stretched earlobe go back to normal on its own?
- No. Once stretched beyond its natural recoil, by heavy earrings or gauging, the lobe will not close back, and waiting does not help. Surgical reconstruction is the way to restore a normal lobe.
- Is my gauged hole too big to repair?
- Almost certainly not. Holes under about 5 mm usually close directly; larger ones are rebuilt with a wedge or flap, and even heavily gauged lobes can be reconstructed. The bigger the hole, the more reshaping is involved.
- Can I re-pierce a reconstructed lobe?
- Usually yes, once it has fully healed (about three months), with the new piercing placed a couple of millimetres away from the scar on healthy tissue.
- How long does stretched-lobe repair take and is it painful?
- A single lobe takes around 30 minutes under local anaesthetic. You feel a brief sting as the anaesthetic goes in, then nothing during the repair, and most people need only simple pain relief for a day or two afterwards.
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