500% increase in patients seeking 'tribal ear' correction

Think carefully before stretching your earlobes, says surgeon Adrian Richards

This time last year, tribal ear correction wasn’t high up on the list of most popular procedures at Aurora Clinics.

In fact, surgeon Adrian Richards saw “virtually no patients” who were looking for this particular surgery.

But now the fashion for inserting disc-shaped stretchers, or ‘plugs’ into the earlobes has created something of a growth industry. More and more patients are beginning to seek repair to the holes in their lobes.

This year, Aurora Clinics have seen approximately 5 or 6 patients per month on average - a huge increase on last year, and more than any other year since the clinic began.

Why are people choosing earlobe correction?

Patients’ reasons for seeking to remove their stretchers and repair their earlobes are varied. 

For some, it’s simply a question of personal change, with people ‘growing out’ of the ear plug look as they grow older. For others, it’s dictated by changing fashions.

But there’s another, potentially more significant, factor motivating people to get their damaged ears corrected. The recession.

With so many candidates chasing every job vacancy, appearances matter more than ever. And it’s a fair assumption that stretched or ‘tribal’ ears can close doors when it comes to certain industries - particularly those involving contact with the public.

Aurora Clinics have heard this first hand from patients like 21-year-old Enis, who came to the clinic seeking earlobe repair to improve his employment prospects (see attached video). 

He was finding it extremely hard to find work in the current climate - and even when he did manage to secure an interview, he felt his ear plugs were putting potential employers off. 

A word of caution

So what would an expert say to someone considering stretching their earlobes? Surgeon Mr Adrian Richards, who performed earlobe repair on Enis, urges caution:

"I would advise anyone thinking of stretching their earlobes to consider this carefully - what might seem like a good idea at 16 might not when you are looking for a job at 21.  From our experience any stretch beyond 10mm may not contract fully when the ear plug is removed.  If you do decide to have a stretch we would advise you to try and limit this to 10mm to avoid needing it repaired at a later date."

But it seems only appropriate to let Enis have the final word. His advice to people thinking about stretching their earlobes like him?

“Think about what you’re doing. It could affect you long term, so it might not be the best option.”

Kerry Greasley

Content Marketing Editor, Aurora Clinics

kerry.greasley@aurora-clinics.co.uk

Aurora Clinics are an expert group of Plastic Surgeons, medical aestheticians and anaesthetists specialising in a broad range of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures (surgical and non-surgical). The Aurora emphasis is on honesty and openness, with information made publicly available via videos, podcasts, photo galleries, a highly comprehensive website and our past-patient network. We are always keen to work with the public and the Press to broaden awareness about cosmetic surgery, helping prospective patients make a fully informed choice. Visit www.aurora-clinics.co.uk for more information.

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