Ear Cosmetic Surgery
Ear pinning (otoplasty) is a cosmetic surgery used to reposition the ears closer to the patient’s head, resulting in a more natural-looking appearance. The procedure is regarded as cosmetic surgery as it does not affect the function of the ears and can be done in combination with other procedures.
FACELIFT SURGERY IN HARLEY STREET
Reducing prominent ears (Ear pinning aka Otoplasty)
Ear pinning (otoplasty) is a cosmetic surgery used to reposition the ears closer to the patient’s head, resulting in a more natural-looking appearance. The procedure is regarded as cosmetic surgery as it does not affect the function of the ears and can be done in combination with other procedures.
Prominent ears that stick out can be seen by looking at a person face-on. In children, they can be the source of ridicule, but surgery can be performed once the ears are fully grown, at around 5-years old.
There is artistry in the surgery to ensure that the pinning of the ears is effective and do not return to their original position. Over-pinning of the ears should be avoided as this looks unnatural.
Surgery consists of making an incision in the natural fold in the back of the ear. A strip of skin and cartilage is removed to allow for an improved shape and contouring of the ear, followed by placing anchoring sutures that will stabilise the ear cartilage to give a long-term result.
Dressings are placed for several days, then headbands are used for two weeks in the afternoons to continue light pressure during the healing process. The ears may be uncomfortable for a week, particularly when sleeping on the side. The scar is hidden in the crease behind the ear.
Why Choose Dr De Silva in Harley Street, London ?
Dr De Silva is a widely credited and celebrated facial plastic surgeon who specialises in the eyes, nose, face and neck areas only, and is known for natural results.
“My focus has and always will be to be the very best at what I do, to continually innovate to provide World Class leadership to all my team, all my patients and all my associates. My mission is to help every patient be the very best version of themself with World-Class services, life-long follow up with complimentary facial aesthetic procedures.”
In a world of increasing complexity and misinformation, his passion has been focused on providing sincere advice, low risk and fast recovery procedures.
Only the Face
By focusing entirely on only facelift & facial cosmetic surgery procedures, Dr De Silva is able to provide the expertise that can only come with specialisation. Dr De Silva has authored multiple books on patient education and care including Dr Julian De Silva's Blepharoplasty patient guide , Dr De Silva's Facelift & Neck Lift book and Rhinoplasty book.
Fast Recovery
Dr De Silva has pioneered the advances in technology to speed up recovery with a combination regenerative medicine techniques, Oxygen and LED Therapy (e.g. Case Study- Fast recovery after facelift & neck lift surgery).
World Class Expertise
Dr De Silva also teaches other surgeons internationally and has contributed to the development of advanced surgical techniques, laser technology and stitch-less tissue adhesives. Dr De Silva and his team have won numerous awards over the years.
Natural Looking Results
Dr De Silva is a believer in the importance of artistry behind cosmetic results and focuses his skills at delivering natural looking results. Dr De Silva's portrait paintings decorate the walls of 23 Harley Street Clinic.
Dr. Julian De Silva is a renowned facial cosmetic surgeon at Harley Street, London, specializing in facelift, blepharoplasty, and rhinoplasty. Known for natural-looking results, he has treated top celebrities and uses advanced technology for fast recovery. Dr. De Silva is also a recognized author and educator in aesthetic surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ear cosmetic surgery, and what can it correct?
What is ear cosmetic surgery, and what can it correct?
Ear cosmetic surgery, most commonly performed as otoplasty or ear pinning, reshapes or repositions the ears to bring them into better proportion and balance with the face. The most frequent concern is prominent ears that protrude further from the head than is typical, which can cause self-consciousness from childhood through to adulthood. Otoplasty can also address asymmetry between the two ears, overly large ears, misshapen cartilage, and earlobe concerns including stretched or torn earlobes. The procedure is suitable for both adults and children -typically from the age of five or six, once the ear cartilage has sufficiently developed. Results are permanent and, when performed with precise technique, produce ears that look natural and well-proportioned rather than obviously corrected.
How is otoplasty performed, and will I have visible scarring?
How is otoplasty performed, and will I have visible scarring?
Otoplasty is performed through a small incision hidden in the natural crease behind the ear, where the ear meets the head. Through this incision, the cartilage is reshaped, scored or sutured to reposition the ear closer to the head and create a more natural fold. Because the incision is positioned within the natural crease behind the ear, the resulting scar is concealed and virtually invisible once healed. Dr De Silva's approach prioritises hiding incisions within natural anatomy -the same principle applied across all facial procedures, ensuring the result looks naturally proportioned rather than surgically corrected. Both ears are assessed and treated as needed, as asymmetry between the two sides is common and addressing both produces the most balanced outcome.
What is the recovery from ear cosmetic surgery?
What is the recovery from ear cosmetic surgery?
Recovery from otoplasty is straightforward. A protective dressing or headband is worn around the ears for the first one to two weeks to support healing and maintain the new position of the cartilage. Most patients, adults and children alike, feel comfortable returning to normal daily activities within one to two weeks. Contact sports and any activity with a risk of impact to the ears should be avoided for a minimum of six weeks. Sleeping on the side should be avoided in the early weeks of recovery. Some temporary tenderness, swelling and bruising around the ears is expected and resolves progressively. The final settled result is visible at approximately six to eight weeks, once all swelling has fully resolved. The procedure is performed under twilight sedation for adult patients, allowing a fast, comfortable recovery without the extended downtime associated with general anaesthesia.
Can ear cosmetic surgery be combined with other facial procedures?
Can ear cosmetic surgery be combined with other facial procedures?
Yes, otoplasty is frequently combined with other facial procedures, particularly in patients who are already undergoing surgery and wish to address ear prominence or asymmetry at the same time. For patients undergoing facelift surgery, ear shape and position are specifically assessed as part of Dr De Silva's pre-operative evaluation- facelift incisions run around the ear, and the appearance of the ear itself is an important consideration in the overall result. Earlobe refinement is also commonly incorporated alongside facelift surgery, as earlobes can elongate and lose definition with age. Combining procedures means a single recovery period and allows Dr De Silva to assess the ears in the context of the whole face, ensuring the result is proportionate and harmonious.
Am I a suitable candidate for ear cosmetic surgery?
Am I a suitable candidate for ear cosmetic surgery?
Ear cosmetic surgery is appropriate for adults and children from approximately five to six years of age - once the ear cartilage is sufficiently developed, who have a specific concern about the shape, size or position of one or both ears. Good general health is the primary candidacy requirement. For adult patients, non-smoking is strongly advised to support optimal healing. The concern does not need to be severe to justify surgery - if the appearance of the ears is causing genuine self-consciousness or affecting confidence, that is a sufficient reason to explore correction. The consultation is the right place to assess your individual ear anatomy, discuss what is realistically achievable, and determine whether surgery is the appropriate recommendation. Virtual consultations are available as a first step for patients travelling from outside London.