The idea of undergoing cosmetic surgery can understandably be a daunting task for many individuals, and many would have to worry about recovery time, pain, and expenses. There’s no easy way around it, and it should be something that should be carefully considered and even look for other options is possible. That includes otoplasty, a cosmetic surgery that reshapes the ears.
Many aren’t comfortable with the idea of cosmetic surgery, and that’s why many alternatives exist. Non-invasive surgeries have become the norm, and they can be as effective as cosmetic surgery. With these alternatives in mind, it begs the question, is otoplasty useful or not?
At our clinic, we believe that anyone considering any type of cosmetic surgery deserves to be informed of what the surgery entails and its potential risk before giving the ok for the procedure to go ahead. So we will now explain to you if otoplasty is useful or not, especially with the advancements in current medical techniques and technologies. But first things first, what is otoplasty?
What Is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is also known as cosmetic ear surgery, and it aims to reshape the patient’s ear into its ideal natural shape. These ear irregularities happen due to genetics or injuries, but you can also use the procedure with aesthetic goals in mind. The surgery will involve the visible portion of the outer ear—a body part called the auricle.
The auricle comprises several folds of cartilage coated with skin, and this cartilage is the same bone-like structure that holds your nose up together, forming its shape. Your ear cartilage forms beginning inside a mother’s womb, and it continues to develop and shape even several years after you are born.
Most otoplasty procedures are pretty standard for children and teens between ages 4 and 14. The ear cartilage is quite soft and malleable during these developing years, perfect for reshaping applications and less hassle in recovery. But otoplasty is still a viable option for adults.
Why Is Otoplasty Done?
There are many reasons why people consider otoplasty, but mainly they serve to correct auricle caused by development irregularities or injuries. On top of that, thanks to modern, sophisticated technologies and techniques, cosmetic surgeons can even construct new auricles for patients who may have been born without them or those who have lost their auricles due to traumatic injuries.
Other ear problems that otoplasty can help fix can include:
- Shell Ear: Shell Ear occurs when the antithetical crus is absent in your ear’s auricle structure. Due to this absence, nothing stops the inferior antithetical crus from growing. As a result, the inferior antithetical crus continuously grow horizontally and form pointy ears.
- Lop-Ear: Lop ear is an ear deformity where the ear’s top rim is either folded over, too tight, or wrinkled. This condition can either be mild or severe, and in its mild form, only the upper auricle rim is folded. However, the ear’s cartilage helix and scapha are constricted in their extreme form, forming an even tighter roll.
- Cup Ear: The cup ear is an even more severe case of the lop ear. It describes an auricle that completely lacks cartilage tissues to hold itself up together and upright. As a result, the outer ear auricle is entirely collapsed, completely covering the ear canals, which impedes hearing to a certain degree.
You can also use the otoplasty surgery for cosmetic reasons to boost your confidence even if you don’t have any existing ear deformities. However, your surgeon will have you consult with a counselor or psychologist first before you do. Talking to them might help you address your cosmetic reasons.
There is nothing inherently wrong with opting for otoplasty for cosmetic reasons, but just know what otoplasty entails since it is a surgical procedure. Expect pains, lengthy recovery time, and aftercare since it’s a surgical procedure—not to mention the costs.
Is Otoplasty Useful Or Not?
Currently, there are no alternatives to otoplasty. While there is the incisionless otoplasty, its applications are somewhat limited. The procedure is basically sewing your auricle to lessen protruding ears.
Other than this option, then, by all accounts, otoplasty remains a practical and useful solution to correcting and improving ear auricle shape. Non-invasive options have replaced many cosmetic surgeries, and that’s an excellent technological leap since it’s easier for the patient to recuperate and then go back to their daily routine. But as of now, there is no viable alternative for an otoplasty at the moment.
Here are several reasons why otoplasty remains to be a useful cosmetic procedure to this day:
1.) Changes The Ear’s Shape
The main reason people consider otoplasty is that they are insecure about their ear shape. You can address these concerns by reshaping your ear into the ideal form through otoplasty.
2.) Boost Self-Confidence
Insecurities about irregular ears have good reasons. Young children with ear irregularities are frequently victims of bullies, and other children become very critical of themselves owing to their ear’s unusual shape. Children can be cruel to each other, which is an unfortunate fact of life.
None of those events are healthy for a child’s developing mind, and they can hinder their emotional and mental well-being. Even if they are full-fledged adults, it’s just become liberating when you finally correct your ears after a lifetime of being concerned about it. Through otoplasty, you can address these concerns and attain self-confidence.
3.) It’s Permanent
Like any other surgical procedure, otoplasty is a permanent feature. You can finally say goodbye to those ear insecurities that kept troubling you for the longest time. While there will be hassles for a short while, it’s worth it since that now you will have a lifetime not being troubled by it.
Takeaway
The usefulness of otoplasty for many people will not go away anytime soon. In fact, this cosmetic procedure is actually becoming increasingly popular day by day. If you are interested in an otoplasty procedure, consider contacting Cache Valley Facial Plastics. We offer surgical procedure services that help address different bodily concerns of patients.
