Let’s clear something up: no one wakes up and says, “I want a painful, swollen ear that feels like a raw steak.” The desire usually comes from a love of the sport.
Most athletes don’t drain their ears because they want the look initially. They do it because they don’t want to take time off the mats. Over time, the scar tissue builds, and the ear becomes a functional reminder to keep your head safe.
Fun fact: The medical term is “hematoma auris.” If you don’t drain that blood within 48 hours, the cartilage dies and folds in on itself. That’s your new ear.
Cauliflower Ear Pop
