How Can My Pixie Ears Be Fixed?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’ve developed pixie ear deformity from a mini lift 3 years ago. I’m 26 years old and don’t have much skin laxity. I’ve done a lot of research into how to fix this, I’m aware some of the options include a revision facelift but also a more direct approach by reducing the ear lobe and the leaving a vertical scar at side of face . Can dr help me?

A: Unfortunately facelifts in young patients often result in adverse scarring and elongated ear lobes.  While a revision facelift would be one approach for a pixie ear deformity that is not going to work for you as you have correctly surmised. The pixie ears are too long (severe) and you are too young to have any significant skin laxity. The only effective approach would be to treat it directly with earlobe shortening through an inferior helical rim technique. While effectively shortening the earlobe this will leave a fine line scar in placed of where the lower end of the earlobe now is.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon