Skin tags are a common but bothersome small, soft growth of skin. These excess tissues primarily appear on the neck, armpits, and eyelids and typically do not pose any health risks. Some patients, however, develop very visible skin tags on the ears, and can feel uncomfortable with their appearance. Dr. Charles Thorne can safely perform ear skin tag removalsurgery at his New York City practice. Dr. Thorne has over 25 years of experience performing a variety of cosmetic ear surgeries, and can provide safe, effective care to help you achieve your desired aesthetics.

What are Skin Tags?

Skin tags are among the most common skin growths, are harmless, and usually do not need to be removed. However, most patients are unsatisfied with their appearance and thus seek to remove them. Skin tags can grow anywhere, but are most commonly found on the neck, armpits, groin area, and under the breasts. These growths are also known to be found on the eyelids and ears. While anyone can develop a skin tag, they are most prominent in older individuals, especially those with diabetes, and those who are obese. Pregnant women are also likely to develop skin tags, which is most likely due to their fluctuating hormones. Further, skin tags are known to develop where clothing rubs against the skin the most.

"Dr. Thorne can safely and painlessly remove ear skin tags during a quick five to 10 minute procedure at his office."

Skin Tags and Moles

Skin tags are commonly mistaken for moles or freckles. While they may seem similar, they are very different. Almost every individual will have a mole at some point in their lifetime, if not several. Moles are skin growths that are usually benign, and have a tan, brown, or black tone. They are caused by a cluster of cells growing in one area, and can be flat or raised. Moles can grow larger and can lead to serious issues, such as skin cancer. Skin tags do not pose this same risk. Patients can typically identify a skin tag rather because they are moveable, usually being held to the skin by only a small stalk of skin. Conversely, moles are generally fixed to the surface of the skin and cannot be moved.

Removing Ear Skin Tags

Dr. Thorne can safely and painlessly remove ear skin tags during a quick 15 minute procedure at his office. There are a variety of methods that can be used for the removal of your skin tag. These growths can be burnt or frozen off. Dr. Thorne can also surgically remove skin tags using a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort before excising the tissue. In some cases, you can also attempt to remove your skin tag on your own if it is small enough. If you pursue this route, make sure you secure the base by using dental floss to restrict its blood supply. Then you can take sterile scissors and cut the skin tag as close to the base as possible. Bleeding is normal and should subside momentarily.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have a skin tag on your ear that you would like removed quickly and safely, contact our office today. Dr. Thorne can help you remove irritating tissue to improve the aesthetics of your ear and your confidence.

Dr. Charles Thorne is an experienced surgeon who has been performing otoplasty surgery in the New York, NY, area for over 30 years for both children and adults dissatisfied with the appearance of their ears. This cosmetic ear surgery is often recommended to reshape and reposition ears that protrude away from the head. It can also be used to address overly large ears and certain ear deformities. If you style your hair to conceal your ears, avoid wearing hats and hairstyles that draw attention to your ears, or are simply unhappy with their appearance, you may benefit greatly from otoplasty surgery.

Otoplasty with reduction of upper ear

Who is a Good Candidate for Otoplasty Surgery?

Ears come in all shapes and sizes and are unique to the individual patient. No matter the cause of your concern, your procedure will be precisely customized to your needs. Otoplasty surgery can address a number of cosmetic imperfections, including:

• Overly large ears
• Protruding ears
• Ears that are deformed as a result of birth defects or injury
• Uneven ears
• Unsatisfactory results from a previous otoplasty

Candidates for otoplasty surgery include patients at any age from four to 90. However, many parents choose to wait until the child is old enough to voice their opinion on whether or not to undergo treatment, typically around age seven. Before undergoing surgery, patients and parents should have realistic expectations and a positive perspective for what otoplasty can provide.

Planning Your Otoplasty Procedure

The first step to improving your appearance is meeting with Dr. Thorne during a private consultation to discuss your concerns and goals. He will also perform a complete medical examination to make sure you are a good candidate for otoplasty surgery. This will include reviewing your medical history, current medications, and evaluating you for any signs of ear infections or medical conditions that could cause complications and compromise your results.

Ears come in all shapes and sizes and are unique to the individual patient. No matter the cause of your concern, your procedure will be precisely customized to your needs.

After deeming you a good candidate, a treatment plan tailored to your unique goals will be created and carefully explained in detail. You will also be given a list of pre-surgical and post-surgical instructions that should be followed to assist in your recovery.

What to Expect During Treatment

On the day of your procedure, you will be taken to a private surgical room. Dr. Thorne offers both local and general anesthesia. The type used will depend on your age and the intricacy of the procedure. Local anesthesia is typically administered for teens and adults, while general anesthesia is used for young children.

Incisions

Once you are comfortable, Dr. Thorne will begin the procedure. The location of the incisions will be contingent on the imperfections being addressed. For overly large, uneven, or misshapen ears, incisions will be discreetly made in the natural folds of the ear. This allows Dr. Thorne to decrease and reshape the cartilage and skin. When ears protrude, an incision will be made in the back of the ear in the natural crease so Dr. Thorne can move the ears closer to the head.

Sutures and Bandages

Once the ears are properly positioned, Dr. Thorne will close the incisions. Permanent sutures are frequently left in the ear under the skin to hold the cartilage in the correct position. The sutures on the outside are absorbable and do not require removal. Dr. Thorne will carefully apply fluff bandages to protect the ears. You will also be given a compression headband to wear after the bandages are removed to keep the ears properly contoured. The overall procedure typically takes an hour and a half, and you can expect to fully return to normal activities within two weeks.

Financing is Available

The overall cost of otoplasty surgery is dependent on a number of factors, including the type of anesthesia used, the complexity of the procedure, surgical fees, and exams and lab tests. Because it is typically considered an elective procedure, most insurance companies do not cover treatment. To help offset costs, Dr. Thorne accepts CareCredit® financing to assist with out-of-pocket expenses.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you are interested in learning more about otoplasty and how it can benefit you or your child, we invite you to meet with Dr. Thorne. He will take all the time necessary to explain the procedure, benefits, and risks and answer any questions or concerns you may have. To schedule your consultation, please contact us online or give us a call at (212) 794-0044. We also have provided answers to many common questions on our site for you to read in the meantime.