Kids Otoplasty (Ear-Pinning) In Seattle

Being pointed out for “sticky-out ears” can disrupt a child’s school experience, turn family photos into moments of embarrassment, and make birthday parties stressful, which chip away at a child’s self-esteem. Once a child’s ear cartilage has firmed up, typically around age five or six, the good news is that a single, carefully planned otoplasty can bring the ears closer to the head, stop teasing in its tracks, and give kids a balanced look that lasts a lifetime.

At Allure Esthetic, Dr. Javad Sajan offers a kid-centric solution: an outpatient ear-pinning procedure performed in a calm, child-friendly setting, guided by 3-D imaging and a pediatric-trained anesthesia team to keep young patients safe, comfortable, and confidently on their way to carefree school days ahead.

Parents often explore kids' otoplasty after noticing that teasing or self-conscious habits are starting to erode their child’s confidence. Because ear cartilage is nearly adult-sized by age five or six, the reshaping is stable and designed to last a lifetime. Early intervention helps with:

• Emotional wellness: Studies show teasing about prominent ears can start as early as kindergarten, impacting self-esteem and classroom engagement.
• Developmental timing: By elementary school, the outer ear has reached ≈ 90 % of its adult size, so corrections made now rarely need to be repeated later.
• Anatomical benefits: Bringing the ears to within 1.8–2 cm of the scalp can make hats, helmets, and glasses fit more comfortably.
• Scar-concealing approach: Incisions hide in the natural crease behind the ear, leaving no visible reminder in photos or short haircuts.

Correcting prominent or misshapen ears isn’t just cosmetic—it can make everyday life simpler and more enjoyable for kids.

• Lasting symmetry: Internal sutures reposition the ear permanently; touch-ups are rarely required.
• Better fit for helmets, hats, and glasses: Closer-set ears mean gear stays put.
• Boost in social confidence: Many parents notice their child participates more freely in sports, photos, and class discussions.
• Outpatient convenience: Most children go home the same day and are back in school within a week.

The ideal window is when the ears have reached nearly full size, yet the cartilage is still pliable. Use the checklist below to see whether your child meets the health, maturity, and motivation factors that make surgery both safe and rewarding.

• Age 5 and above with near-full ear growth (cartilage mature yet still pliable).
• Overall good health—no chronic ear infections or untreated medical conditions.
• Understands gentle precautions (wearing a headband and avoiding rough play initially).
• Has expressed a desire for change—children who want the surgery enjoy the biggest confidence boost.

Because otoplasty is an elective procedure for anyone under 18, Washington state law requires a signed, informed-consent form from a parent or legal guardian before surgery can be scheduled. For older kids and teens, we also obtain the child’s verbal assent so everyone feels confident and committed to the plan.

During your child’s otoplasty consultation, Dr. Sajan first listens to the results you hope to see, then captures 3-D Vectra® images that create a lifelike, every-angle preview of what the ears could look like after surgery, helping kids and parents visualize the change together. Guided by these simulations, he evaluates the ears’ shape, position, skin tone, and cartilage quality, and blends that information with your goals to design a customized surgical plan covering everything from anesthesia choice to incision placement, ensuring balanced, natural-looking results and a smooth recovery.

In our state-licensed surgery center, Dr. Sajan performs kids otoplasty on an outpatient basis, guiding families smoothly from preparation through recovery while monitoring each child’s comfort and safety throughout the visit. Anesthesia is tailored to the patient—either a gentle general sleep or a combination of intravenous sedation with local numbing—before a discreet incision is placed behind the ear or within its natural crease. Through this opening, Dr. Sajan removes or reshapes excess cartilage and skin, then secures the newly contoured ear with internal sutures before closing the incision with delicate stitches. The entire procedure typically takes about one hour per ear.

After surgery, Dr. Sajan places a protective bandage around your child’s ears that must stay on until he replaces it with a lighter dressing a few days later. Swelling, redness, and itching are expected during this phase, but the prescribed pain medication helps keep discomfort manageable. A loose headband worn at night for up to six weeks also helps maintain the new ear position. Over the first week, plenty of rest is essential; gentle walks around the house encourage circulation while keeping the head elevated and avoiding pressure on the ears helps prevent setbacks. About seven days post-op, you’ll return to our Seattle office so Dr. Sajan can remove the stitches, evaluate healing, and—if everything looks as planned—clear your child to resume school and everyday routines with personalized guidance for the remainder of recovery.

Although no operation is entirely risk-free, kids' otoplasty has an excellent safety profile, with most issues limited to small hematomas, minor infections, or brief numbness along the ear rim. Significant asymmetry or the need to adjust internal sutures is uncommon, while keloid scarring remains rare and confined mainly to children already prone to that type of scar. Every procedure at Allure Esthetic is performed under the watch of pediatric-trained anesthesia professionals, with continuous monitoring and complete emergency equipment on hand to safeguard your child from induction through recovery.

Visit our Otoplasty Gallery to see patients of different ages and ear shapes enjoying natural-looking results. Every image is shared with parental permission to help other families feel informed and reassured.

Kids otoplasty at Allure Esthetic typically starts around $4995. Your exact fee depends on anesthesia choice, complexity, and any additional cartilage work. We offer interest-free plans through CareCredit® and Alphaeon®, plus pay-in-full savings.

Take the first step toward quieting playground teasing and boosting lifelong confidence. Call (206) 209-0988, text our team, or request an appointment online to schedule your child’s personalized ear-pinning consultation with Dr. Javad Sajan at Allure Esthetic.

Take the first step toward quieting playground teasing and boosting lifelong confidence. Call (206) 209-0988, text our team, or request an appointment online to schedule your child’s personalized ear-pinning consultation with Dr. Javad Sajan at Allure Esthetic.

What is the earliest age to get your ears pinned?

Most specialists, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, agree that ear-pinning can be performed any time after about age 5, when the outer ear has reached roughly 90 percent of its adult size and the cartilage is firm enough to hold a new shape.

Should I have my child’s ears pinned back?

If the ears protrude far enough to attract unwanted attention and your child is already experiencing teasing or self-consciousness, surgery at the early-school-age window can prevent years of emotional distress and improve long-term self-esteem—benefits documented in pediatric otoplasty studies.

Will insurance cover otoplasty?

Since ear-pinning is considered a cosmetic procedure in most cases, insurance rarely covers it. Exceptions occur when the surgery corrects a congenital deformity or trauma; even in these cases, insurers evaluate coverage on a case-by-case basis and may require photographs and physician documentation.

What is the failure rate of otoplasty?

Otoplasty has a high success rate, with large clinical series reporting revision or recurrence rates between about 2 and 5 percent. Most revisions address minor suture loosening or residual asymmetry rather than major complications.