Hear That? Earlobe Fillers on the Rise

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Over 2.6 million patients received soft tissue fillers in 2016, up 2% from the previous year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Fillers provide a non-invasive, no-downtime treatment to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. And, it’s no wonder then that patients and doctors alike are seeking fillers to treat wrinkles for areas other than the face—including the earlobes. 

Do Your Ears Hang Low?

Charmaine Bade, registered nurse and practice director of the Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center, says several issues can cause the earlobes to appear wrinkled or elongated—the reason many patients seek earlobe fillers in the first place.

Loss of collagen from hot weather, free radicals from sun exposure, less collagen and elastin production with age and low antioxidant intake are just some of the reasons a patient may notice signs of aging in their earlobes. 

Filler Options

Bade says the filler used depends on the amount of collagen loss and rhytids present. 

“A general filler would be Restylane or Restylane Defyne,” she said. “I would avoid Juvéderm with its high cohesivity, which can make the earlobe look wide and larger than normal.”

Juvéderm Volbella or Belotero can also work to fill in fine lines, notes Bade. Additionally, the low cohesivity of Voluma could be another filler option depending on the severity of the patient’s symptoms. 

Maintenance

Because such a small amount of filler is injected into the earlobes, reapplication will typically be required approximately every six months, depending on the patient. 

Some factors may decrease filler duration, such as the lifestyle of the patient, the intensity level, frequency and duration of daily activity, and if the patient has any medical conditions that cause increased metabolism or high blood pressure.

“If [the patients] are yoga instructors or high-workout individuals, you can blow through filler quicker,” adds Bade. “[Sitting in] steam rooms and hot tubs, especially soon after filler injection can metabolize fillers faster. However, results vary with each individual, and I have seen some filler still in earlobes a year after injected.”

Earlobe Fillers and Your Medical Spa

In her practice, Bade says that earlobe fillers have a high rate of patient satisfaction if done correctly. 

The injection process for earlobe fillers is similar to that of injections in other parts of the face. As with other fillers, precautions should be taken and placement for product drop off should be checked as with facial fillers. 

“The esthetic appeal after lobe filler [injections] can be noticed when one’s earrings—especially diamond studs—no longer sag,” said Bade. 

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