I had £400 low-risk procedure done to wipe the years off my age and I love the results – can you guess what it is?
A SAGGING neck has long been seen as a tell-tale sign of ageing.
But it could be time to ditch those scarves and roll-neck jumpers and look upward – to your ears.
Because believe it or not, drooping, stretched earlobes are a dead giveaway that you’re older than your years.
In what is 2025’s most unexpected beauty trend so far, videos for “earlobe filler” — or “eartox”, as it’s been dubbed — have clocked up hundreds of thousands of likes on social media.
Clinics in both the US and UK report surging demand for the treatment, which normally costs from around £400 and needs renewing annually.
Dr Randa Jaafar, aesthetics expert at price-comparison app Certainly Health, says: “Filler injections are now becoming more popular for restoring earlobes to their natural shape, due to stretching such as from heavy earrings.
“It works by injecting dermal filler into the earlobe to give the ears a plumper shape and reduces ear creases.”
But can a simple injection turn back the clock? Julie Begbie, 56, a psychologist and business adviser from Edinburgh was keen to find out.
Mum-of-two Julie says: “My lobes were drooping and sagging after years of wearing heavy earrings, and general ageing. It sounds silly but every time I looked in the mirror I noticed them and couldn’t help but feel insecure about it.
Low-risk treatment
“I would find myself wearing bigger earrings to try to distract from the length of my lobes. That, in turn, was dragging them down.
“I felt it was ageing me so wanted to do something about it. And that’s when I heard about earlobe filler.”
Nervous and unsure what to expect, Julie booked herself into Edinburgh’s SK:N Clinic for earlobe rejuvenation with dermal filler.
She says: “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but immediately I felt at ease.
“To demonstrate what the ear would look like after the filler, my surgeon took the lobe and squashed it upward slightly with his fingers. It didn’t look hugely different — just enough to notice a change in shape, and reduced droopiness.
“After a thorough consultation, during which he explained possible side effects like bruising and swelling, I started to get excited.
“I was happy to go ahead. The nurse told me ears were one of the least perilous places to have filler, so this was low-risk.”
Julie was then taken into an operating room, which surprised her.
She says: “I thought it would be like going to get your ears pierced — sitting on a chair, getting it over and done with.
“But when the surgeon and nurse walked in with scrubs and masks on, I realised they were taking it very seriously, and that actually made me feel safe and confident.”
The surgeon told her the ears and nose keep growing for ever, so it’s natural for our ears to lengthen, and Julie says: “It made sense. I’ve never had lovely little neat ears, and I do feel conscious of them getting longer as the years go on. What will they look like in ten years?”
The whole process took no longer than 15 minutes and was largely pain-free. After the surgeon applied numbing gel to Julie’s ears, he started injecting filler into each lobe.
Julie says: “It was a bit like getting a vaccine — it wasn’t comfortable but it wasn’t massively painful. The surgeon was thorough, squishing my ears to check which bits needed more. He’d move my head to one side, like they do at the hairdresser’s, to make sure both ears were equal and symmetrical.
“I can’t remember how many injections I had — maybe 15 — but one ear had about five more than the other. This was due to scar tissue I had from piercings, so it needed slightly more filler.”
Once the clinic confirmed the treatment had been a success, Julie was able to leave, with minimal swelling. She says: “I couldn’t believe how quick and straightforward it was.”
YEARS YOUNGER
Dr Toni Phillips, Lead Aesthetic Expert at SK:N, said: “Julie’s procedure used Juvederm, a leading brand of hyaluronic-acid dermal filler which restores volume and shape to sagging or stretched earlobes — enhancing the appearance and improving support for earrings.”
But while this is a low-risk treatment, earlobe filler may not be suitable for everyone.
Dr Phillips warns: “People with conditions that involve blood-thinner medications, females who are pregnant, people with specific associated allergies or those with active skin infections should avoid this procedure.
“Also, there is Frank’s Sign to consider. This is a diagonal crease that appears on the earlobes and is sometimes associated with cardiovascular issues, particularly coronary artery disease.
“Since it can sometimes be a marker for underlying health conditions, it is advisable for individuals with this sign to consult with their healthcare provider before undergoing any cosmetic procedure.”
Meanwhile Julie, reckons her new-look lobes make her feel years younger.
She says: “I’m not sure how many other people would notice, but I do, and it’s given me a whole new wave of confidence. My ears healed quickly and beautifully, with no scabbing, just some very slight bruising that went away swiftly.
“I was surprised when my husband [Neil, 55, a project manager] picked me up from the clinic and told me he saw a difference. For a man to notice, that’s something.
“I do look younger. After all, plumpness and symmetry is all connected to feeling youthful and beautiful.”
So would Julie recommend earlobe filler to others?
“Oh absolutely,” she says. “To anybody who feels really conscious about their ears, particularly as they get older and after years of wearing heavy earrings, this is a relatively pain-free way of resolving that.
“I’m thrilled by the results.”
- Earlobe filler at the SK:N Clinic Edinburgh starts at £400. See sknclinics.co.uk
Top tips before getting jabs
ASHTON COLLINS, director of Save Face, a government-approved register of accredited practitioners, has advice for those considering earlobe fillers . . .
- Visit a trained practitioner such as a doctor, nurse, dentist or prescribing pharmacist. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can cause serious complications and it is important your practitioner is competent to identify these.
- Avoid cheap treatments and time-limited offers because it may indicate that corners are being cut.
- It is important that you know the full name and credentials of the person treating you, and that you have their contact details. Do not visit a practitioner who only operates on social media that will not disclose this information.
- Arrange a consultation and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Discuss your concerns and desired outcomes. Ask what products they use and what aftercare will be available.
- Don’t be afraid to walk away If you are not feeling comfortable.”
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