One of the few areas where a person cannot avoid seeing is the ear. We may try to hide our ears with long hair at times, but this is only temporary. Some people use accessories on a regular basis. A person may be self-conscious about the shape and angle of their ears, and may experience feelings of insecurity as a result. As a result, ear aesthetics is one of the increasingly popular aesthetic procedures around the world.
In the medical world, ear aesthetics is referred to as “otoplasty.” This term refers to plastic surgery procedures used to improve the shape, size, position, or ratio of the ears. A congenital defect in the ear structure can be corrected with ear aesthetics. Desired image can also be obtained in deformities seen as a result of ear impacts.
What exactly is ear aesthetics? What Purpose Does It Serve?
Ear aesthetics, also known as otoplasty, can help create a more natural shape by providing a balance and proportion between the ear and the face. Correction of even minor ear deformities; it can help the patient’s self-esteem and self-confidence. If you are bothered by misshapen or protruding ears, you may want to consider ear aesthetics.
Otoplasty surgery is preferred in the treatment of excessively large ears, one or both ears protruding, or dissatisfaction with previous ear aesthetics, regardless of hearing loss.
Who Is a Candidate for Ear Aesthetics?
- Children whose ear cartilage requires repair,
- Individuals who are healthy and do not have a life-threatening illness or health condition that may impede recovery,
- Individuals with prominent ears, as well as those with abnormally large ears
- Those who have protruding ears
Ear surgery is a highly personalised procedure. As a result, if you decide to have ear aesthetics, you should do so for yourself rather than to conform to social norms or gain people’s approval.
If you have a deformity in your ear shape or if your child has protrusions in their ears, ear surgery may be an option. Ear aesthetics, also known as otoplasty, is most commonly performed on children aged 4 to 14. Ear aesthetics can be performed at any age because it is never too late to make a change in the ears.
Ear Aesthetics Preparation
The surgery takes about 2-3 hours on average, depending on the ear deformity that requires aesthetic surgery and the complexity of the ear surgery. If the procedure you require is extremely complex, the surgery may last longer than three hours.
If you are an adult, your doctor will most likely prefer that the procedure be performed under local anaesthesia. Ear surgeries in paediatric patients can be performed under general anaesthesia. The night before surgery, people undergoing general anaesthesia are not permitted to eat or drink anything.
The Post-Surgery Recovery Procedure
You must stay at home for at least one week following surgery. Children should be excused from school for at least a week. Your head will be bandaged after surgery before you are sent home. It is critical that you follow your doctor’s instructions regarding the duration of the bandage in order to avoid complications during the healing process. It is critical that you rest with your head slightly elevated after the procedure. It may be necessary to apply ice on a regular basis. For 1-3 weeks, all forms of excessive exertion and contact sports are prohibited.
The bandage should be worn for at least three days. Your doctor will apply a dressing once the bandage has been removed. The dressing may need to be left on for three weeks to allow proper healing. Also, if you require stitches to be removed, they will be removed about a week after surgery. It may be necessary to use a tennis bandage for at least a month to keep the ear shape. This period may last 1-3 months, depending on the state of the ear’s healing.
What You Should Be Aware Of Regarding Ear Aesthetics
- A small scar will remain behind both ears in the fold between the ear and the head following plastic surgery. There may be minor bruising around the ears.
- Pain, numbness, or tingling sensations in the ears may occur, but these symptoms will go away with time.
- Asymmetry in the ears can be seen after surgery if there is ear cartilage inflammation, clot formation in the ear skin, or if the surgery is unsuccessful.
- Additionally, excessive bleeding and infection in the area where the incision was made are possible.
Furthermore, your doctor should inform you about the likelihood of these risks and complications, as well as how to treat them if they occur.