Face & Neck6 min readUpdated September 26, 2026

Cauliflower Ear Correction: Recognizing the Impact and Seeking Change

For most people, ears are just…well, ears. But for those with cauliflower ears? This seemingly inconspicuous body part is often a source of self-doubt and emotional distress. The constant need to hide behind hats and hair can feel like a never-ending battle.

Here’s the truth: Your insecurities don’t have to dictate how you live your life. Cauliflower ear correction returns your ears to their natural shape and appearance, empowering you to reclaim your confidence.

15-minute Patient Concierge call, no obligation. The consultation with Dr. Cat or with our facial plastic surgeon is $500, credited toward your surgery.

Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery Beverly Hills

At Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery, we specialize in reversing cauliflower ear damage, helping patients step into a fuller, more vibrant version of themselves. Today, we’re delivering all the necessary insights so you can pursue your ear transformation with confidence.

In this article, we explore what aesthetic ear reconstruction entails, the approach of our board-certified facial plastic surgeon, testimonials, and more. By the end, you’ll be ready to take that first step and book your consultation!

Understanding Cauliflower Ear: Beyond the Aesthetics

Cauliflower ear refers to bumpy, deformed ears caused by abnormal cartilage buildup. This condition usually happens when the ear is injured, gets infected, or experiences trauma. This is why cauliflower ear is so common in contact sports like wrestling or boxing.

As cartilage builds up in the ears, it begins to pull away from the perichondrium (a thin layer of protective tissue). When that happens, blood flow gets cut off and leads to tissue damage, giving the ear its unique look.

But as we’ve discussed, the implications of cauliflower ear extend far beyond the physical. These individuals often struggle with insecurity and an urge to camouflage their ears behind hair and accessories. There’s even an impact on social interactions.

Fortunately, there are transformative ear procedures available to address both the physiological and psychological effects of cauliflower ear, enter otoplasty.

Correcting Cauliflower Ear: The Art of Otoplasty

Otoplasty, also known as ear reshaping surgery, is a cosmetic procedure designed to reshape or reposition the ears to improve their appearance.

This procedure addresses concerns like protruding ears, large or disproportionate ears, and ears that are misshapen due to genetics or injury (like cauliflower ears).

The catch? While many providers offer aesthetic ear reconstruction, not all share the same expertise in such a specialized area.

Otoplasty demands a precise and artistic touch to achieve natural-looking results that truly complement your other facial features. For that, you need the right surgeon.

Otoplasty at Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery: Ear-resistible Results

At Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery, each cauliflower ear correction is performed by our board-certified facial plastic surgeon, a colleague of Dr. Cat Begovic for more than a decade.

His practice is facial plastic surgery, which brings a trained eye for facial balance and a detailed understanding of ear anatomy to each operation, so the thickened cartilage that causes cauliflower ear is addressed along with the ear’s outward appearance.

The results? Ears that are both beautiful and functional.

Beyond the surgical expertise, the whole team at Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery shares in patients’ emotional journeys, fully investing in your transformation as much as you do.

This compassionate approach, paired with the practice’s reputation and roster of satisfied patients, has solidified Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery as the premier choice for Beverly Hills ear surgery. Why entrust your ears to anyone else?

Cauliflower Ear Correction: From Consultation to Reclamation

The first step in your otoplasty journey? A detailed consultation with our facial plastic surgeon.

Consultation

During this meeting, you and our facial plastic surgeon will go over your medical history, lifestyle, concerns, and desired outcomes. He’ll answer your questions and verify that otoplasty is the ideal solution for you.

Some criteria otoplasty candidates should meet include:

  • Good overall health
  • At least 5 years old
  • Realistic expectations
  • Non-smoking
  • Mental readiness

Once our facial plastic surgeon determines that ear reshaping surgery is right for you, he crafts a personalized ear surgery plan tailored to your unique needs and anatomy.

Surgery

On surgery day, you’ll meet with your surgeon once more to recap your procedure details. He’ll also mark the incision areas on your ears.

For your comfort, your ear surgery is performed under general anesthesia. For some adults, local anesthesia with sedation is an option instead, decided at the consultation.

During surgery, the thickened and scarred cartilage is exposed, trimmed, and reshaped so the ear’s natural folds and contours return. The aim is the most natural and flattering outcome for your unique appearance.

When reversing cauliflower ear damage, the surgeon makes discrete incisions behind or within your inner ear crease. Their placement depends on what is best for removing and reshaping the ear cartilage in your particular case.

Surgery typically lasts between two to three hours.

Recovery

The beauty of ear reshaping surgery? It’s an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be discharged to recover from the comfort of your home that same day.

You’ll have some bandages around your ears for protection and support. Your surgeon will remove these, along with your stitches, about a week after surgery.

Some swelling and redness are normal but subside on their own over the next two to three weeks.

Your main priority during this time? Avoid any potential trauma to the ears. Hit pause on strenuous activity, and sleep on your back to prevent excess pressure to either ear.

As the swelling and redness fade, the gorgeous results of your otoplasty unveil. And rest assured, these results are here to stay, barring any future trauma to your newly rejuvenated ears.

Worried about scars? Don’t be. Because the incisions sit behind the ear or within its natural creases, your scars will be nearly invisible once healed.

Real Stories of Regained Symmetry and Confidence

Otoplasty at Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery has transformed the lives of countless patients, helping them regain confidence and achieve aesthetic balance.

Here’s what patients have to say:

An incredible experience and journey from beginning to end. Any kind of surgery can be overwhelming, intimidating and scary. Dr. Cat and her medical family made every step of the process, comfortable, knowledgeable, thorough and efficient when it comes to making an educated decision. The physical process was even better. With Dr. Cat’s calm demeanor, her assistants, the nurses, and recovery staff made each step of the process comfortable, and simple. The entire team was superb and went beyond to make sure all questions were answered, nerves were put to rest and a peaceful environment was created. Well done!
– Lisa Martsolf (Google Verified Review)

Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery: Restoring Ears, Renewing Confidence

Ready to swap out the hats and headbands for chic updos and sleek bobs?

Whether it’s the aftermath of an ear injury or a mark of your athletic journey, cauliflower ears don’t have to define your look forever.

But cauliflower ear correction does more than broaden your hairstyle options, it’s a catalyst for reviving your self-confidence. With Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery by your side, you can be sure you’re on the way to falling back in love with your ears.

Windows may be the eyes to the soul, but ears are the conduits to the melodies of life, trust our facial plastic surgeon to make them as beautiful as the sounds they hear. 

Book a consultation at Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery today.

FAQs: Demystifying Cauliflower Ear Correction

Answers reviewed by Dr. Cat Begovic, MD, FACS. Updated September 2026.

Not typically. However, if the condition is severe and leads to blockage or damage of the ear canal, it could impact hearing.

Yes. Otoplasty can permanently correct cauliflower ears by reshaping and restoring your ears to their natural appearance.

Most patients return to work within a few days after surgery. Full recovery takes about two to three weeks.

On average, in the U.S. otoplasty prices range between $3,700 to $5,000. In Beverly Hills, prices can reach $9,000.

Dr. Cat Begovic

About the author

Dr. Cat Begovic, MD, FACS

Board-certified plastic surgeon, trained in both head and neck surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery. Harvard-educated, UCLA trained.

Dr. Cat Begovic is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills known for her gentle techniques, compassionate patient care, natural-looking results, and virtually painless recoveries. With Harvard and UCLA training, she brings world-class precision to every procedure she performs. Her articles come from her practice: the questions patients ask at consultations, answered with the prices and techniques in use today.

  • 17 years in private practice, 6 years of surgical training
  • Named one of the world's top 5 plastic surgeons by Chic Icon Magazine
  • Featured on E!'s Dr. 90210 and founder of the luxury skincare brand MD GLAM
  • Patients from all over the world

Have a question this article did not answer?

A 15-minute discovery call with our Patient Concierge answers your first questions and books your consultation with Dr. Cat or our facial plastic surgeon, in person or by video.

15-minute Patient Concierge call, no obligation. The consultation with Dr. Cat or with our facial plastic surgeon is $500, credited toward your surgery.