Dr. Parvin Shafa | January 22, 2026
Most people don’t think much about their ears—until something doesn’t look right or starts to hurt. Whether it’s a painful lump, a torn earlobe, a non-healing spot, or a cosmetic concern, ear problems are more common than you might think, especially here in sunny Orange County, California.
Because the ears are constantly exposed to the sun and environment, they’re also a frequent place for skin cancer, infections, and trauma-related injuries. The good news is that many medical and cosmetic ear conditions can be safely treated in-office by a dermatologist, often with minimal downtime.
Below, we’ll walk you through the most common types of medical and cosmetic ear surgery and help you understand when it’s time to get your ears checked.
Medical ear surgery focuses on conditions that cause pain, infection, bleeding, or potential health risks. These problems should always be evaluated by a medical professional.
A spot on your ear that:
should never be ignored. Dermatologists are trained to treat any non-healing ear lesion as skin cancer until proven otherwise. This is especially important because the ears receive a lot of sun exposure, and many people forget to apply sunscreen there.
During your visit, the lesion is examined closely using a dermatoscope. If there’s any concern, a biopsy can often be done the same day.
If a biopsy shows skin cancer, treatment options are discussed based on:
Many ear skin cancers can be removed in-office under local anesthesia, while others may need more specialized surgical care. Early detection usually means smaller procedures and better cosmetic outcomes.
One of the most common reasons patients come in is for a painful lump on the ear. These are often inflamed cysts that may:
While it might be tempting to squeeze or drain them, doing so often makes things worse. The proper treatment is surgical excision, where the entire cyst wall is removed to prevent recurrence. These procedures are done safely under local anesthesia in a sterile setting.
If you’ve ever seen a swollen, misshapen ear after sports trauma, that’s likely an ear hematoma. Blood collects inside the ear after an injury, and if it’s not treated quickly, it can permanently change the shape of the ear.
This is a time-sensitive condition. Early drainage and compression can prevent long-term deformity and are often done right in the office.
Cosmetic ear surgery focuses on restoring shape, symmetry, and confidence. For aesthetic concerns, complimentary consultations are often available.
Heavy earrings or accidental pulling can split or stretch the earlobes. Earlobe repair surgery restores a natural appearance and, in many cases, allows for re-piercing once healing is complete.
Patients who previously stretched their ears may later want to reduce or close the opening. Surgical repair can reshape the earlobe and create a more natural look.
Keloids are thick scars that can form after ear piercings or trauma. Treatment often includes:
Addressing keloids early helps improve results.
As we age, earlobes can become thin, wrinkled, or elongated. Dermal fillers can restore volume and create a smoother, more youthful appearance—without surgery.
Moles or growths on the ear may be removed for cosmetic reasons, medical reasons, or both. If there’s any doubt, the tissue is sent for pathology testing to ensure it’s benign.
Dermatologists specialize in external ear conditions, including:
ENT specialists usually treat internal ear issues, such as hearing loss or middle ear disease. If the problem is on the skin or outer ear, a dermatologist is often the right place to start.
Patients throughout Orange County choose OC MedDerm because of:
Schedule an evaluation if you notice:
Whether your concern is medical, cosmetic, or somewhere in between, early evaluation can prevent complications and help preserve both health and appearance.
OC MedDerm is conveniently located in Irvine, CA and welcomes patients from throughout Orange County. We offer same-day appointments for urgent ear concerns and complimentary consultations for cosmetic ear procedures.
Call +1(949) 551-1113 today to schedule your ear consultation or book an appointment online.
Book a consultation at OC Medderm | Irvineskin Today for Medical, Surgical, and Cosmetic Dermatology in Irvine & Orange County, CA.
We are experts in Acne, Pinch blepharoplasty, Ear lobe repair, Xanthelasma repair, Syringomas removal, mole removal, Keloid removal, Body and face piecing or piercing repair or removal, lump and bumps removal, Acne scar removal, Spider vein treatment, fungal infection, Co2 resurfacing, Warts and more.
You can schedule an appointment or call us now for all the dermatology treatments. We are located at 113 Waterworks Way 100, Irvine, Orange County CA, We Are Dedicated to Providing the Best & Transparent Dermatology Care for your skin.
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