Surgery that reshapes or repositions prominent ears closer to the head, commonly performed on children but equally effective in adults. Compare Palm Springs clinics below and request a free consultation.
$3,500–$8,000
per procedure · USD
A general range for Palm Springs, rounded for guidance. Confirm exact pricing with each clinic.
Plastic surgeons in Palm Springs who list otoplasty among their procedures. Tap any surgeon to view details and request a consultation.
Palm Springs
Dr. Celeste Nagy at Cosmetic Surgery Institute Palm Desert is a plastic surgery practice in Palm Springs, California, rated 5 stars across 66 Google reviews, performing 13 tracked procedures.
Palm Springs
Financing available
Dr. Mark Sofonio is a plastic surgery practice in Palm Springs, California, rated 4.8 stars across 47 Google reviews, performing 22 tracked procedures.
Palm Springs
Financing available
The Plastic Surgery Institute is a plastic surgery practice in Palm Springs, California, rated 4.6 stars across 60 Google reviews, performing 16 tracked procedures.
Surgery that reshapes or repositions prominent ears closer to the head, commonly performed on children but equally effective in adults.
One procedure, permanent
1 week off work or school, headband worn at night for several weeks
Children from about age five, once ear growth is largely complete, and adults of any age bothered by prominent or asymmetric ears
3 plastic surgery practices in the Palm Springs area list otoplasty. From Google Places listings; hours and locations change, so confirm with the practice.
What 3 Palm Springs practices that list otoplasty say on their own websites (checked September 2026); one that does not mention something may still offer it, so ask at your consultation.
Following your ear surgery, you will need to elevate your head to keep swelling to a minimum.
Otoplasty generally requires only local anesthesia, although general anesthesia may be requested or recommended when the surgery is for a child patient.
Otoplasty results are permanent, as the cartilage is surgically reshaped or repositioned.
Even young children, starting from the age of five, can benefit from an ear surgery procedure.
adult patients often choose to have otoplasty performed in conjunction with other facial cosmetic surgeries
Yes, otoplasty is commonly performed on children once ear growth is complete, typically around age 6.
Otoplasty generally runs $3,500–$8,000 per procedure, and each Palm Springs clinic sets its own price. The biggest variables are the provider's experience level and the specific device or product used. Newer technology and senior injectors price at the upper end. Pricing is quoted in US dollars (USD). Request a consultation from any of our listed Palm Springs clinics for a personalized quote.
Initial results in 2–4 weeks, with full results developing over 3 months as collagen builds. Palm Springs providers typically schedule follow-ups to track progress.
Maintenance schedules vary. Most Palm Springs providers recommend periodic refresh sessions every 6–12 months once optimal results are achieved.
Ears reach close to adult size by about age five or six, which is when surgeons will typically consider it. Many families choose to do it before a child starts school, or early in school years if teasing has begun. There is no upper limit, and plenty of adults have it done having lived with prominent ears for decades. For children, most surgeons want the child to want it too, not just the parents.
Behind the ear, in the crease where the ear meets the head, which makes them essentially invisible in normal life. Some techniques use a small amount of cartilage scoring from the front, but the standard approach keeps everything behind. This is one of the few operations where scar placement is genuinely not a concern.
Sometimes for children, particularly when there is documented psychological impact from teasing, and policies vary widely. It is generally considered cosmetic for adults. It is worth having the surgeon's office check, because coverage for pediatric otoplasty is more common than people assume.
Partial relapse happens in a minority of cases, usually within the first year, and is more likely when the correction relied only on stitches rather than reshaping the cartilage itself. Wearing the protective headband as directed during early healing meaningfully reduces the risk. Revision is possible when relapse occurs.
For newborns in roughly the first few weeks of life, ear molding systems can reshape cartilage while it is still soft from maternal hormones, avoiding surgery entirely. That window is very short and closes within the first couple of months. After that, surgery is the option. Parents who notice prominent ears in a newborn should ask about molding immediately rather than waiting.
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