Otoplasty (Ear Pinning) & Comprehensive Ear Surgery in Beverly Hills
Otoplasty Before & After Results
Otoplasty, commonly known as ear pinning surgery, reshapes and repositions the external ear to create more natural projection, contour, and symmetry. For patients with prominent or protruding ears, even a relatively subtle change in ear position can make a meaningful difference in overall facial balance.
The objective is not to create tightly pinned ears or erase the natural character of the ear. Instead, Dr. Ardesh focuses on creating proportions that look natural from the front, side, and three-quarter views. Every ear has its own cartilage structure, folds, angles, and proportions, so otoplasty is individualized to each patient's anatomy.
Real Patients.
Real Transformations.
Meet Dr. Ardesh: Fellowship-Trained Ear Surgery Specialist
Dr. Ardesh completed advanced Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship training at the University of Washington in Seattle in 2014, gaining extensive experience in cosmetic ear surgery, facial reconstruction, facial trauma, skin cancer reconstruction, and advanced cartilage grafting.
His Ardesh Ear Framing Approach evaluates the ears in relationship to the hairline, cheeks, jawline, neck, and overall facial proportions. His expertise encompasses otoplasty, ear pinning surgery, earlobe rejuvenation, torn earlobe repair, gauge repair, pixie ear correction, ear keloid treatment, cauliflower ear treatment, cartilage grafting, skin grafting, and complex ear reconstruction.
Patients seeking otoplasty in Beverly Hills, ear surgery in Los Angeles, and cosmetic ear procedures throughout Southern California choose Dr. Ardesh for his combination of reconstructive expertise and aesthetic precision.
Prominent vs. Protruding Ears
Protruding ears or ears sticking out are often present from childhood and typically result from differences in ear cartilage development. Two common anatomical factors include:
| Parameter | Prominent Ears | Protruding Ears |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | The antihelical fold is underdeveloped, so the ear may project outward rather than folding naturally toward the head. | The conchal bowl is enlarged or overly prominent, increasing the distance between the ear and the head. |
| Correction | Otoplasty can recreate or refine the antihelical fold, helping the ear fold back more naturally and creating a defined contour. | Otoplasty can reshape or reduce the prominence of the conchal bowl and reposition the ear closer to the head, reducing excessive projection. |
Many patients have one or both characteristics, which helps determine whether treatment involves cartilage reshaping, antihelical fold creation, conchal reduction, repositioning, or a combination of techniques.
What Causes Prominent & Protruding Ears?
Protruding ears or ears sticking out are often present from childhood and typically result from differences in ear cartilage development.
Underdeveloped Antihelical Fold
The antihelical fold creates one of the ear's natural contours. When this fold is underdeveloped, the ear may project outward rather than folding naturally toward the side of the head.
Prominent Conchal Bowl
The conchal bowl is the central portion of the external ear. When it is enlarged or overly prominent, it can increase the distance between the ear and the head, contributing to ear prominence.
Many patients have one or both characteristics, which helps determine whether treatment involves cartilage reshaping, antihelical fold creation, conchal reduction, repositioning, or a combination of techniques.
Otoplasty Surgery & Recovery: What to Expect
Consultation
Dr. Ardesh evaluates the anatomy of the ears, their symmetry, cartilage structure, facial proportions, skin quality, and the patient's individual aesthetic goals.
Surgical Planning
The surgical approach is selected according to the patient's anatomy. Depending on the situation, treatment may include antihelical fold creation, cartilage reshaping, conchal reduction, ear repositioning, or a combination of techniques.
Recovery
Temporary swelling, bruising, tenderness, and changes in sensation can occur during healing. Patients are advised to protect the ears from pressure and trauma while recovery progresses.
Recovery varies from patient to patient, and the timeline for returning to normal activities depends on the extent of surgery and individual healing.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Otoplasty?
Otoplasty may be appropriate for children and adults with prominent, protruding, asymmetrical, or structurally unusual ears who want to improve their ear position and overall facial balance.
Children are commonly considered for ear pinning surgery around six years of age, when ear growth is largely developed. Addressing prominent ears earlier may also help children who experience teasing or self-consciousness at school.
Adults may choose otoplasty after years of feeling uncomfortable about their ears in photographs, professional settings, or social situations.
Healthy individuals with realistic expectations and a desire for improvement rather than perfection may be candidates for surgery.
The Ardesh Ear Framing Approach to Facial Harmony
The ears define part of the outer frame of the face. Their relationship with the hairline, cheeks, jawline, neck, eyes, and smile can significantly influence overall facial balance.
Rather than evaluating ear projection in isolation, Dr. Ardesh considers how ear shape and position interact with surrounding facial structures. This broader perspective helps create results that appear harmonious rather than surgically altered.
Some patients may also explore facelift surgery, neck lift surgery, chin augmentation, jawline enhancement, facial contouring, or facial fat grafting as part of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation or facial balancing plan.
Earlobe Surgery: More Than Just Repair
Dr. Ardesh treats a wide range of earlobe concerns while maintaining natural proportions and facial harmony.
Torn Earlobe Repair
Repairs partially or completely torn earlobes caused by earrings, trauma, or stretching.
Gauge Repair
Restores a more natural earlobe appearance after gauge-related stretching.
Pixie Ear Correction
Corrects a pulled-down or attached-looking earlobe, including changes that may occur after facelift surgery.
Earlobe Rejuvenation
Addresses elongated, thin, or aging earlobes to restore youthful contour and proportion.
Facial Harmony Considerations
Evaluates how the earlobes relate to the jawline, neck, and surrounding facial anatomy.
Ear Keloid Treatment in Beverly Hills
An ear keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that may develop after piercings, trauma, surgery, burns, or other injuries. Keloids can cause itching, discomfort, tenderness, enlargement, irritation, or difficulty wearing earrings.
The Dr. Ardesh Keloid Management Protocol
Dr. Ardesh approaches keloids as more than a cosmetic concern. Depending on the individual case, treatment may include steroid injections, 5-FU injections, surgical excision, tension-reducing closure techniques, strategic suturing, scar management, and close postoperative monitoring.
The goal is to improve appearance and comfort while addressing factors associated with recurrence.
Advanced Ear Reconstruction
Advanced ear reconstruction addresses complex deformities where restoring cartilage support, skin coverage, symmetry, and natural contours is essential.
Trauma, Mohs & Skin Cancer Reconstruction
Treats defects following Mohs surgery, skin cancer removal, accidents, bites, and sports injuries using flaps, skin grafts, cartilage grafts, or staged reconstruction when appropriate.
Cartilage & Skin Grafting
Rebuilds structural support and soft tissue coverage based on the location and extent of tissue loss.
Cauliflower Ear & Traumatic Deformities
Addresses cartilage thickening, distortion, scarring, and irregular contours resulting from trauma.
Congenital & Other Ear Conditions
Evaluates preauricular pits, congenital ear sinuses, cysts, benign masses, microtia, and other structural abnormalities.
Why Choose Dr. Ardesh for Ear Surgery in Beverly Hills?
Dr. Farhad Ardesh is a fellowship-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with advanced expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive ear surgery. His training includes otoplasty, facial trauma, facial reconstruction, skin cancer reconstruction, cartilage grafting, and complex revision procedures.
His Ardesh Ear Framing Approach to Facial Harmony distinguishes his philosophy by viewing the ears as an integral part of facial aesthetics rather than isolated structures. By considering how the ears interact with the jawline, cheeks, eyes, hairline, and neck, he creates treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique anatomy.
His expertise has also been recognized by leading international media, including Reuters, where he has provided expert commentary on facial injuries and reconstructive topics.
Patients travel from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, across the United States, and internationally for otoplasty, ear pinning surgery, earlobe repair, keloid treatment, and advanced ear reconstruction.
Schedule Your Ear Surgery Consultation with Dr. Ardesh
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ardesh to explore a personalized approach to otoplasty, earlobe surgery, keloid treatment, advanced ear reconstruction, and overall facial harmony.
