Abby Lee Miller, the 60-year-old television personality known for her role in the reality series "Dance Moms," has undergone a cosmetic procedure to rejuvenate her earlobes. Miller sought treatment for what she described as "embarrassing wrinkly, droopy 'old lady' earlobes" that made her feel self-conscious.
Miller discussed her concerns with her plastic surgeon, Dr. Patrick Davis, during a routine Botox appointment. She had been noticing the changes in her earlobes over the past six months, attributing them to aging and a long-standing habit of wearing heavy earrings. "My mother used to complain about her ears all the time and always wanted earrings that covered her earlobes," Miller stated. "I really didn't until recently, in the past six months. I thought, 'Oh my god, it's happening to me!'"
As people age, the production of collagen and elastin, proteins that maintain skin firmness, decreases. This natural aging process can lead to sagging and thinning of the skin, including the earlobes. Factors such as sun exposure, gravity, and the prolonged wearing of heavy jewelry can exacerbate these changes, potentially stretching earlobes over time. Medical professionals estimate that earlobes can lengthen significantly between the ages of 30 and 60, with hormonal changes after menopause potentially accelerating collagen loss in women.
While surgical options like otoplasties have traditionally been used to correct stretched or aged earlobes, these procedures typically involve removing tissue, can leave scars, and require a recovery period. Dr. Davis proposed an alternative for Miller: a less invasive treatment using dermal fillers. "I noticed it myself," Miller said of her earlobes. "When I went to the doctor, I said, 'I'm thinking about this ear surgery.' He told me it would leave a scar and involve cutting away tissue. Then he said, 'I could just put some filler in.' I was like, 'What?' Literally ten seconds and it was fixed."
The procedure, sometimes referred to as earlobe rejuvenation or a lobe lift, involves injecting hyaluronic acid filler into the earlobes. This filler restores lost volume, plumping the earlobes and reducing the appearance of sagging and wrinkles. Dr. Davis explained that the filler attracts water, which helps to gradually increase tissue volume, similar to how lip fillers work. The treatment is relatively quick, taking less than 10 minutes, and requires minimal to no downtime. Patients can typically resume their daily activities immediately after the procedure.
Miller received three injections of filler into each earlobe after it was numbed with an anesthetic. She reported that the procedure was painless and that she was immediately pleased with the results, describing her earlobes as "refreshed." She is planning to have additional filler injections to further enhance the appearance. "I'm going to have two more injections put in," she said. "We played it very safe – we did a little bit to see if it would work, and it did. So, now I'm going to get a bit more done."
Dr. Davis noted that earlobe rejuvenation is an increasingly popular option, especially for women in their 60s who have worn heavy earrings for many years. He stated that the procedure can make earlobes appear a decade younger, contributing to an overall rejuvenated facial appearance. While generally safe, potential risks include infection or, in rare cases, compromised blood supply if a blood vessel becomes blocked, which would require immediate medical attention. The effects of the filler typically last for about two years, after which a touch-up treatment may be needed.