Our earrings are very lightweight, with most of them weighing less than 20% as much as similar sized metal earrings.
Heavy earrings can cause several harmful effects on women's earlobes, particularly with prolonged use. The primary issues include stretching of piercing holes, earlobe elongation, and in severe cases, complete tearing or splitting of the earlobe tissue.
Key Medical Facts:
Heavy earrings commonly cause earlobe tears from repeated use, as the earlobe skin is very fragile and susceptible to splits, gashes or hole elongation. Heavy, dangling earrings often cause earring holes to gradually enlarge over the course of two to three decades due to the combined effects of gravity and collagen loss.
Medical studies confirm that traumatic elongation of earlobe clefts occurs following long-standing use of heavy jewelry on the ear. Research shows that earlobe length increases by 30-35% from age 30 to 60, with heavy earring use accelerating this process.
Prevention and Treatment:
To avoid sagging earlobes, experts recommend choosing smaller, lighter earrings for daily wear and limiting larger earrings to special events. Prevention is the best approach since once an earring hole has been stretched or torn, surgery is typically required for repair.
Citations:
- BSW Health. "Trend Alert: Dangers of Heavy Earrings." Accessed September 20, 2025. https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/trend-alert-dangers-of-heavy-earrings
- Healthline. "Earring Hole Trauma: Stretching, Tears, and Treatment." December 22, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/earring-hole
- Faces PLLC. "How to Treat a Torn Earlobe at Home and at the Clinic." February 2, 2022. https://www.facesdr.com/how-to-treat-a-torn-earlobe-at-home-and-at-the-clinic/
- Chatterjee, M., et al. "A Comparative Study of Elongation of Earlobe Following Two Different Modalities for Repair of Posttraumatic Split of Earlobe." Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2020. PMC7335466.
- Wollina, U., et al. "Esthetic and reconstructive options for earlobe deformities." Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2025. PMC11866664.
- Fowler, M. "What You Need to Know About Earlobe Rejuvenation." Westlake Dermatology, October 16, 2020. https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/earlobe-rejuvenation-options/
