Can protruding ears be cured with hyaluronic acid? The decisive difference from surgical procedures
"Your ear shape changes in minutes without cutting." Have you heard such rumors and been surprised?
- How hyaluronic acid improves protruding ears
- Differences in effects and duration between surgery (auricular cartilage reshaping) and other methods
- Criteria for determining the optimal "protruding ear treatment" for you
Ear shape concerns every time you put your hair up. We hope this article can help put an end to your long-standing worries.
Is it true that "protruding ears can be treated with hyaluronic acid"? Here's how it works
Protruding ears where the ear points forward and becomes noticeable. The main cause is that the cartilage of the ear (antihelix) has weak bending and has become flat.
In fact, medical papers have reported that injection materials (fillers) such as hyaluronic acid (HA) are used to correct congenital and acquired deformities of the face and ears.
In protruding ear treatment,hyaluronic acid injectionis an approach that injects filler into specific areas such as the back of the auricle to create physical volume, thereby tilting the angle of the ear backward.
Although hyaluronic acid injection is very convenient because it does not use a scalpel, not all protruding ears can be completely treated with this method. Its application has limitations.
Is the internet rumor true? Differences from surgery (auricular cartilage reshaping)
On the internet, it is often said that "convenient hyaluronic acid is optimal," but surgical procedures that change the fundamental shape of cartilage differ in the results and approaches obtained.
In protruding ear surgery, the back of the ear is incised, and threads are placed directly on the cartilage to create an ideal curve. What becomes important here is the concept of "cartilage memory."
There is data suggesting that to accurately correct bent cartilage, it is essential to effectively break the memory of elastic rebound where the cartilage tries to return to its original shape.
To change the convex and concave surfaces of the cartilage, surgical techniques such as performing mattress sutures (a technique of tying with thread and creating a crease in the cartilage) with 5-0 thread in widths of 6-8mm are used.
Unlike hyaluronic acid, which pushes the ear aside with physical volume, surgery controls the structure and rebound force of the cartilage itself, thereby bringing about more certain changesin possibility.
[Comparison] "Real" numbers for duration and downtime
"Duration of 12 months post-surgery") However, this figure includes conditions such as the type of filler and individual variation.
The duration of soft tissue augmentation by fillers such as hyaluronic acid and agarose gel varies depending on the concentration of the formulation, but is understood to be approximately 12 to 18 months.
With techniques such as fat transfer using autologous tissue, reports also show that the volume retention rate at 1 year post-surgery is approximately 68% to 71.5%.
Regarding downtime, in the case of injection therapy, mild erythema or edema (swelling) may occur after the procedure, but it is known to naturally disappear within 24 hours.
My protruding ear complex—which treatment method is ultimately the right answer?
"So, what's ultimately right for me?"
To answer the question from earlier, the greatest factor determining treatment satisfaction is "your own cartilage hardness and rebound force." Cartilage strength has a significant impact on surgical treatment planning.
In cases where the ear cartilage is hard and has strong rebound force, hyaluronic acid volume alone may not be able to fully tilt the ear backward, or it may quickly return to its original stateis suggested as a possibility.
Hyaluronic acid injection is suitable for those with relatively soft cartilage and mild protruding ears, those who cannot afford downtime, and those who want to try changing the shape with a simulation-like approach first.
On the other hand, for those who want to firmly lay back the ears or those seeking semi-permanent results, surgical "ear-pinning surgery" is indeed the more appropriate choice.
Clinic selection to avoid failure with hyaluronic acid injection
This is the most common question in consultations. "Doctor, how much will my ears lay back with hyaluronic acid?"
The answer cannot be determined accurately without the physician actually touching your ear cartilage and confirming its resilience and skin thickness. This is why careful pre-treatment examination is essential.
Additionally, while hyaluronic acid injection is convenient, the risk of complications such as vascular embolism and infection is not zero. Treatment by a physician with deep anatomical knowledge is strongly recommended.
Choosing a trustworthy clinic that correctly assesses your ear condition and explains the limitations of hyaluronic acid without concealment is the fastest path to success.
If you think, "What about my case?"
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Summary of this article
- Hyaluronic acid is a convenient treatment method that changes ear angle through physical volume
- Surgery (cartilage reshaping) changes cartilage resilience at its root, allowing semi-permanent results to be expected
- Filler duration is approximately 12–18 months, but there is significant individual variation depending on cartilage hardness
- Surgical intervention may be suitable for those with hard cartilage or those seeking definite changes
If you have any concerns, please feel free to consult with us. At Zetith Beauty Clinic, we provide careful consultations based on medical evidence.
References
- Buhsem O, Kirazoglu A. Agarose Gel: An Overview of the Dermal Filler and a Clinical Experience With 700 Patients. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. 2023DOI
- Kim T, Jeong J. Surgical anatomy for Asian rhinoplasty. Archives of Craniofacial Surgery. 2019DOI
- Gruber RP. Nahai F. Bogdan MA, Friedman GD. Changing the convexity and concavity of nasal cartilages and cartilage grafts with horizontal mattress sutures: part I. Experimental results. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005.
- Gruber RP. Nahai F. Bogdan MA, Friedman GD. Changing the convexity and concavity of nasal cartilages and cartilage grafts with horizontal mattress sutures: part II. Clinical results. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005.
- Azoury S, Shakir S, Bucky L, et al. Modern Fat Grafting Techniques to the Face and Neck. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 2021DOI
- Gibstein AR. Chen K. Nakfoor B, Lu SM, Cheng R, Thorne CH, Bradley JP. Facelift Surgery Turns Back the Clock: Artificial Intelligence and Patient Satisfaction Quantitate Value of Procedure Type and Specific Techniques. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2020.
Author of this article
Hiromitsu NakamuraPhysician
Zetith Beauty Clinic Ginza, Osaka, Fukuoka
With research presentation achievements at domestic and international conferences, involved in technical guidance and education across Zetith Beauty Clinic. Specializes in precision rhinoplasty based on anatomical evidence, pursuing natural results tailored to each individual's skeletal structure and tissue.
Author of this article
Hiromitsu NakamuraGinza Clinic Physician
Zetith Beauty Clinic Ginza Clinic, Osaka Shinsaibashi Clinic, Fukuoka Clinic
With research presentation achievements at domestic and international conferences, involved in technical guidance and education across Zetith Beauty Clinic. Specializes in precision aesthetic medicine based on anatomical evidence, pursuing natural results tailored to each individual's skeletal structure and tissue.
Summary of this articleHyaluronic acid is a convenient treatment method that changes ear angle through physical volumeSurgery (cartilage reshaping) changes cartilage resilience at its root, allowing semi-permanent results to be expectedFiller duration is approximately 12–18 months, but there is significant individual variation depending on cartilage hardnessSurgical intervention may be suitable for those with hard cartilage or those seeking definite changesIf you have any concerns, please feel free to consult with us. At Zetith Beauty Clinic, we provide careful consultations based on medical evidence.ReferencesBuhsem O, Kirazoglu A. Agarose Gel: An Overview of the Dermal Filler and a Clinical Experience With 700 Patients. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. 2023DOIKim T, Jeong J. Surgical anatomy for Asian rhinoplasty. Archives of Craniofacial Surgery. 2019DOIGruber RP. Nahai F. Bogdan MA, Friedman GD. Changing the convexity and concavity of nasal cartilages and cartilage grafts with horizontal mattress sutures: part I. Experimental results. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005.Gruber RP. Nahai F. Bogdan MA, Friedman GD. Changing the convexity and concavity of nasal cartilages and cartilage grafts with horizontal mattress sutures: part II. Clinical results. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005.Azoury S, Shakir S, Bucky L, et al. Modern Fat Grafting Techniques to the Face and Neck. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 2021DOIGibstein AR. Chen K. Nakfoor B, Lu SM, Cheng R, Thorne CH, Bradley JP. Facelift Surgery Turns Back the Clock: Artificial Intelligence and Patient Satisfaction Quantitate Value of Procedure Type and Specific Techniques. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2020.Author of this articleHiromitsu NakamuraPhysicianZetith Beauty Clinic Ginza, Osaka, FukuokaWith research presentation achievements at domestic and international conferences, involved in technical guidance and education across Zetith Beauty Clinic. Specializes in precision rhinoplasty based on anatomical evidence, pursuing natural results tailored to each individual's skeletal structure and tissue.