It’s the unfortunate truth: aging effects every part of our bodies over the years from head to toe. While age manifests differently on every face, one of the signs of aging that’s most common appears in the ears.
It is commonly believed that cartilage cells contained in the nose and ears grows as you age – some would say even beyond death. While you may have heard it before, we’re here to tell you today that it’s not true. Believe it or not, ears reach their adult size and full shape around the age of five or six years old.
The Truth About Your Ears & Aging
So, what’s making our ears look bigger as we age? The answer consists of a combination of factors. Specifically, gravity, lack of elasticity, and skin damage that makes our skin sag has a lot to do with it.
As the collagen and elastin fibers in our skin begin to break down as we age, our skin begins to lose elasticity. As the features in our face feel the effects of aging, the process in turn makes other features, such as our ears, look larger than they actually are. As the cells that provide elasticity start to degenerate, the skin on our ears may droop, sag, or the skin may stretch out. This results in ears changing shape, appearing large, or moving farther from the head. Not only can it be unsightly, but for some this change in ear shape is painful and uncomfortable.
What You Can Do About It
One of the best options in approaching treatment for uncomfortable or unsightly ears is ear reshaping surgery. Also known as otoplasty, ear surgery is a procedure that can change the shape or size of the ear. It can also serve to pin the ears closer to the head, reducing the appearance of large or misshapen ears.
Otoplasty can also provide relief from ear deformities such as cupped (lop) ear (wherein the rim of the ear is constricted and the ear may be small), shell ear wherein the outer-ear is disproportionately enlarged, and most other abnormalities of the ear that can have an effect on both self-esteem and comfort.
Are you interested in learning more about how ear reshaping surgery can help you increase your comfort and quality of life? Schedule a consultation online or call us at 215-503- FACE to learn more.
