Dr. Samantha Ellis, from the US, suggests that wearing earrings overnight, especially dangling or loose ones, puts unnecessary pressure on piercings, causing them to stretch prematurely. Combined with gravity, this can lead to sagging earlobes and enlarged piercings, distorting the earrings' shape and reducing their secure fit.
"The easiest thing you can do to prevent this is not wear earrings when you sleep," she advises.
Sagging earlobes typically become noticeable after the age of 40, as skin and soft tissue lose elasticity. This doesn't apply to cartilage piercings in the upper ear, which are more firmly structured and less affected aesthetically by wearing earrings during sleep.
For those with stretched earlobes from wearing heavy earrings or sleeping with them for years, fillers can offer a solution. According to Dr. Melissa Doft, fillers add volume, cushion, and lift the earlobe, helping earrings hang straight and enhancing the sparkle of gemstones. This procedure is low-risk with no recovery time, allowing patients to resume normal activities immediately.
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Experts suggest that wearing earrings while sleeping can cause sagging earlobes. Photo: Pexel |
Experts suggest that wearing earrings while sleeping can cause sagging earlobes. Photo: Pexel
Beyond the impact of accessories, experts say earlobes naturally enlarge and lengthen with age. New York plastic surgeon Dr. Stafford Broumand notes this is a subtle sign of aging. Consequently, many people seek cosmetic procedures to maintain full, neat earlobes.
Experts also warn that sleeping with earrings can irritate skin, cause infections, or increase the risk of tearing if the earrings get caught on pillows or hair. Those with sensitive skin are prone to contact dermatitis from prolonged friction. Additionally, with heavy earrings, continuous pressure can damage soft tissue, leading to difficult-to-treat scars or earlobe deformities.
Several celebrities have undergone earlobe procedures to improve their appearance. Brielle Biermann revealed her mother, Kim Zolciak, a star of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, received fillers because her diamond earrings were too heavy. Kris Jenner, mother of the Kardashians, had her earlobes surgically reduced in 2018 to achieve her desired look.
Thuc Linh (NY Post)