Nose Piercing - Scars


Nose piercings are generally safe and don't cause scars under healthy, normal conditions. Still, for some people, infection, allergy or the body's natural tendency to produce too much scar tissue can lead to scarring. Good piercing care, such as avoiding friction and cleaning your piercing properly, can go a long way toward preventing scars, according to the Association of Professional Piercers. Fortunately, dermatologists can help treat any scars that do form.


Occurrence

Scarring is a healthy, normal response to injury. The worse your injury and the longer it takes to heal, the more likely you are to develop a scar, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. There are two basic types of scars: common scars and keloid scars. Common scars are usually small, flat, pink or flesh-colored marks that fade over time. Keloid scars are raised scars that look like bubbles. Keloids can continue to grow until they're much larger than the area with the injured tissue. Not all people who get their noses pierced develop scars; however, people prone to keloids have a high chance of getting one on the pierced site.

Misconceptions

Some people mistake side effects of the natural healing process for scarring or conditions that will lead to scarring, and remove their piercings. Redness, swelling, crusting and small abscesses known as piercing pimples are normal parts of the healing process, according to the Association of Professional Piercers. Leaving the piercing in place helps foster healing more so than does removing it, because removing a piercing early when infection is present can lead to an abscess. The more tissue damage you have, the more likely the piercing is to scar. If you suspect an infection or scarring, talk to your piercer or a health care professional before you decide to take out the jewelry.

Prevention

The better you take care of your nose piercing, the less likely you are to get scars related to infection and improper healing. Keep your nose piercing clean by washing the area with mild antibacterial soap, recommends MayoClinic.com. Leave the jewelry in for at least six weeks or until the piercing is completely healed. Removing it early could lead to an infection or abscess, which could lead to scarring. Keep your hands away from the piercing and avoid the urge to touch or fiddle with it. Avoid sun exposure as the tissue heals.

Removal of Common Scars

Many people think scars are permanent, and while they can be, most common scars fade or disappear completely over time, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. If they bother you, common scars can be removed through surgery, laser skin treatments or microdermabrasion treatments at your dermatologist's office.

Removal of Keloid Scars

Keloid scars are difficult to manage and often return after treatment, so your dermatologist will have to develop a treatment plan for these scars. Keloid treatment can involve surgery, pressure bandages, corticosteroid injections and topical creams that try to prevent the keloid from regrowing. People who regularly develop keloids should consider avoiding future piercings or take special precautions to help reduce keloid formation.

A Qick Cleaning Guide:

Step 1
Consult a dermatologist to determine the appropriate form of treatment. A medical professional should assess the piercing to establish the type of scarring before treating the area.

Step 2
Apply a silicone-based gel to the nose ring scar. Silicone reduces the thickness of scar tissue and minimizes its appearance.

Step 3
Reduce scar tissue with corticosteroid injections. Corticosteroids are especially beneficial on raised scar tissue. The medication minimizes inflammation, making the scar tissue and surrounding skin look smoother.

Step 4
Treat large dimples with soft tissue fillers. Hyaluronic acid, fat or collagen are injected into the indentation left from the piercing, plumping it and smoothing out the skin.

Step 5
Schedule a skin rejuvenation treatment to remove the nose ring scar. Skin rejuvenation consists of microdermabrasion, dermabrasion or chemical peels. All remove the surface layer of your skin to varying degrees. This allows new skin to form, thereby minimizing scar.

Step 6
Undergo a surgical procedure to remove the scar tissue. The scar tissue is extracted from the nose, and then the area is sutured or fitted with a skin graft, depending on the size of the surgical wound.

Compression bandages, silicone-based creams or corticosteroids are often used after the procedure to minimize the formation of new scar tissue.

CHECK OUT:

Piercing Risks
Piercing Pain
Piercing Mistakes
Piercing Effects
Piercing Jewelry Safety
Piercing Pain & Rejection