How to Close Gauged Ears

Staff Reviewed

If you’re starting a new job or just want a new look, consider your options for closing stretched ears. Although they won’t completely seal shut, you can reduce the size of the holes by wearing smaller gauged jewelry. Once you’ve removed the jewelry, massage your ears with oil to help the scar tissue heal.

For the best appearance, consider getting surgery to stitch the holes shut and restore the shape of your ear lobes.

1 Set realistic expectations. Because your ear lobes have healed around the tunnel, plug, or taper you used to stretch the ear, your ears will never completely close. Keep in mind that your best expectation is to shrink the size of the holes. If you experienced tearing, infections, or blowouts, your ears may not shrink as much. Other factors that determine how much your ears will shrink include:
- The size of your holes.
- How long and gradually you stretched.
- How elastic your skin is.
Decrease your plug by 1 size and wear it for at least 3 to 4 days.
2 Choose a smaller plug, tunnel, or taper and put it in your ear. Leave the smaller piece in your ear for 3 to 4 days or up to a week so your ear gradually shrinks to hold it.
- If you switch to drastically smaller sizes too quickly,…