Lip piercings have become quite common. While most of its types are harmless, some contribute to unsightly scars that appear when the wearer decides to remove jewelry. Hypertrophic scars and keloids are also common complications of lip piercings when they do not heal properly.

Young people are very fond of facial piercings. However, as people grow up, they find it inappropriate, more juvenile, and as a result, some get rid of it, which can happen with minimal difficulties or huge scars. The smaller the lips, the correspondingly smaller the scar remaining after their piercing. Often only a small scar will remain, a reminder of the previous piercing, which may disappear completely over time.

The size of the scar on the lips depends on the length of time the jewelry was on them, as well as the size of the jewelry. It also directly depends on individual healing capabilities. Since scars vary from person to person, it is difficult to predict how large they will be if you decide to get rid of your jewelry.

Professional piercers always ask you to sign a consent form, and no one will do a piercing without you explaining and understanding the risk of scarring.

Do you get a scar after a lip piercing?

Anyone considering lip piercing is usually trying to get an answer to this question. It would be correct to say that YES, lip piercing can leave a scar. This is a common occurrence because the skin is damaged and the body reacts by creating thicker tissue that can protrude or peel off, resulting in a scar.

Scar after lip piercing

A scar appears when normal tissue is replaced by connective fibrous tissue. There are three types of possible scars that can form after lip piercing: hypertrophic, keloid and atrophic scar.

Keloids are a form of scarring that can be caused by piercings due to delayed healing. They can occur in almost anyone, but are more common in people with darker skin.

Atrophic scars are more common and, unlike hypertrophic and keloid scars, which form raised tissue, appear as a sunken pit in the skin. In size they also do not go beyond the scope of the piercing.

Please note that some scars are caused by injury during fighting or participation in contact sports. It is always recommended to replace your jewelry with softer ones with less retainer to reduce the risk of scarring.

Does piercing always leave scars?

Although this is a serious problem for most people, lip piercings will eventually leave behind only a tiny mark on the skin, which will eventually disappear. However, this also directly depends on the size of the hole according to the decoration used. If you used a size larger than 16, this may affect the elasticity of the skin and cause minor scarring.

Scar after vertical labret

Have you made yourself a vertical labret? As with all piercings, it is normal for scar tissue to form around the area pierced by varying thicknesses of piercings. Vertical labrets leave a scar in almost all cases, especially in cases of early infection or incomplete healing after wearing jewelry, and the scar is usually very tiny.

The site of a vertical labret or Ashley piercing that is on the lip will not be noticeable, but the part that is slightly lower may be more visible. The fabric appears to be a small stain in this area. The small mark that forms at the top of the lip is hidden by the jewelry and will only be visible when you remove it.

Examples of scars in the photo

Lip piercing scars vary in appearance and size. Below are some photos that will help give a general idea.

Small lip piercing scar

In this image you can see a very small pitted scar left by the labret. It will gradually fade and blend into your skin tone.

A noticeable scar after suturing a hole from a large piece of jewelry

This young man was wearing an 18mm labret. The hole was stitched up, which would undoubtedly leave a large scar.

Growth of tissue around the decoration on the inside of the lip

Excessive tissue growth around jewelry can pose an ingrowth risk.

This shows what the scar looks like before and after suturing.

Scar removal

The presence of jewelry and subsequent prolonged healing after its removal can cause noticeable scarring. Piercing scars are usually quite small, but if their size and appearance are a concern, there are ways to reduce their size. There are several options for getting rid of marks on the lips.

Surgical removal

This removal method is quite popular and provides a good result - the shape and size of the scar is changed by cutting it and further joining the edges with small sutures under local anesthesia. Excess skin is removed and the edges are pulled back to normal using sutures or surgical strips.

Excision removes deep folds of skin and leaves tiny marks in their place. This method allows the edges to heal quickly and, although the appearance improves and the visibility of the scar decreases, it will not be possible to completely get rid of it - you will have to have a slightly smaller scar for some time, which will become less visible over time and then disappear.

If the scar is large, then removal of excess skin can be combined with a skin graft, which involves removing the scar and then sewing new skin in its place.

How much does lip piercing scar removal cost?

Depending on where you live, the cost of the intervention can vary from several tens to thousands of dollars. It would be best to first find a good, experienced plastic surgeon in your region, agree with him on the possibility of performing the operation, its cost, further course of treatment, and only after that proceed directly to the removal.

Other scar removal methods, such as laser or lip creams, are not recommended. For piercings that do not go all the way through the lip, you can massage the area daily for 1-2 minutes using oils containing vitamins A, C, or E. These will soften and smooth out scar tissue.

Scar on the inside of the lip

Sometimes scar tissue forms on the inside of the lip and grows over the jewelry. If this happens, evaluate the appropriateness of wearing it and change the size of the jewelry, or get rid of it, as the extra skin creates a risk of overgrowth.

If you are on this page, it means that either something has already gone wrong for you, or you are a great fellow and are thoroughly preparing for the piercing procedure. And here’s the first thing you need to know: if there’s something wrong with your piercing, immediately report it to your master.

But sometimes it happens that he is out of reach, or completely lost - this also happens. Nevertheless, the problem must be solved somehow. We have collected for you the most common problems and complaints of piercing owners - with a ready-made solution.

And remember: if you fail to return everything to normal on your own, our specialists will always offer you an examination and consultation.

Pimple in the puncture area

Symptoms:

• appears periodically or once small and red, slightly swollen pimple near the puncture, local inflammation;
• may appear itching or burning, sometimes the pimple is painless;
  
• when pressed, releases pus and/or blood
  

Treatment:

• treat with antiseptic + antihistamines medications that will help reduce itching and inflammation;
  
• do several times a day G hot salt compresses or wipe with saline solution. Continue doing them for 2-3 weeks after the problem seems resolved;
  
• relapse indicates the presence pathogenic microorganisms, in such a situation it is better to consult a dermatologist.
  

Keloid scars

It must be said that keliodes are rarely found in northern people, most often in pregnant women and black people. Keloids are often confused with granulomas. The difference is that a keloid is usually much larger than the decoration in the piercing.

Symptoms:

• skin growths are red, often painful, but large;
  
• most often appear in places where the navel is pierced, nostrils, lips, intimate piercings. Also also occurs when other types of piercing a.
  

Treatment:

• this cannot be done without medical intervention. A dermatologist should determine which method is best for you - such as cauterizationliquid nitrogen or surgical excision.
  

Piercing displacement/rejection

Symptoms:

• the piercing “moves”, rises close to the surface of the skin, the jewelry is “pushed” out of the puncture channel;
• the skin between the punctures turns red, peels, or, on the contrary, looks like a callus and becomes thinner.

Treatment:

• Most likely, the piercing was done incorrectly from the beginning. This often happens with planar piercings, which require a lot of experience. In this case, you should take out the jewelry, wait for the canal to heal and get a new piercing from another master;
  
• Navel piercing migration is common during pregnancy. In this case, it makes sense to remove the jewelry and make a new piercing after childbirth;
  
• if the previous two options are not suitable, two more remain: either the decoration is unsuitable, or care wrong. In any case, you will have to part with the “beauty”, wait for healing and get a new puncture from a specialist who will tell you everything about the care and choose the right jewelry.
  

Unpleasant odor when the nose is pierced (nostil, septum)

Sometimes people complain of an unpleasant "cheesy" smell after a nose piercing - the problem most often occurs with a septum piercing. The “amber” is felt especially intensely if you wrinkle your nose or move it. Typically the problem occurs in four cases:

• this phenomenon is part of the healing process, and a few days after the puncture it goes away on its own;
• Most likely, the jewelry is made of medical steel or other materials that can cause allergies. In this case, it is advisable to replace the decoration;
• you do not properly care for the piercing, and the smell is the consequences of such a mistake. Once again, clarify how to wash the piercing + add daily hygienic washing with soapy water;

There is another option: you simply have a heightened sense of smell, and the smell will haunt you all the time. This also happens. In this case, whether to refuse a puncture or not is up to everyone to decide for themselves.

Non-healing puncture, hence: discharge from the canal,
constant redness, etc.

Almost any piercing takes at least 3-6 months to heal. The healing period is greatly influenced by factors such as accidental or permanent damage to the canal.and (sometimes after them, healing even begins anew), the quality of puncture processing, the quality of decoration, the location of the puncture andthe quality of the piercer's work.

Usually the reason lies in one of the above. For example, you put microdermals on your shoulders, but started wearing a backpack - and they can “heal” for years. Using the method of elimination, find the cause and eliminate it. You paid money for the puncture - and the master should help you solve the problem. If he behaves differently, look for a new master (preferably based on reviews from friends).

Blow out

This is a tricky consequence of tunnels, which does not interfere with life, but looks ugly. It looks like a growth of excess skin along one of the sides of the tunnel.

It usually appears due to improper stretching, when part of the lobe is constantly tense (usually scar tissue, since it does not stretch), and the rest of the lobe in the same place is relaxed.

It can only be treated with a scalpel, threads and the hands of a good master.

It's completely normal for the piercing to heal...

• And Change in skin color near the puncture: It may become reddish, brownish or pinkish for several months;
  
• slight swelling and/or hardening may be observed for several days after lip or tongue piercing;
  
• The puncture may release a small amount of clear fluid, dead cells that form a crust on the surface of the piercing. In this case, the discharge should not be abundant, green, yellow or have an odor;
  

Remember, that…

• you cannot solve the problem by simply taking out the jewelry and waiting - the problem always lies deeper;
  
• Most often, the problem can be solved by simply changing the decoration, its shape or size.

You should immediately run to your piercer if...

• profuse green or yellow discharge with an unpleasant odor flows from the puncture;
  
• some of the symptoms described in the first part last longer than a week;

If you have started fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or disorientation - run to the doctor.

BUT!

Remember that most problems arise due to the inexperience and crooked hands of the master, his greed and desire to empty your pockets at all costs (and unwillingness to admit to you, for example, that in your particular case this particular puncture should not be done), from - due to lack of sterility, improper care. However, if you go to a trusted, good specialist and follow all his care tips, complications rarely occur.

Piercing is the piercing of various areas on the body and face for the purpose of decorating with earrings. This type of body modification technique is a minor surgical intervention that disrupts the integrity of the skin or cartilage tissue. The procedure has contraindications, which are determined by the characteristics of wound healing and the risk of complications. Scars after piercing are a common consequence of improper piercing, care, or violation of prohibitions.

A scar is a newly formed connective tissue that appears on damaged skin and tissues lying at greater depths. Dermatologists and cosmetologists often encounter scars formed after piercings.

The main signs of a scar:

• rises or sinks compared to other skin;
• has a geometric or linear shape;
• does not contain sweat glands and hair;
• smoothed pattern of the epidermis;
• light or dark color.

There are several types of scar tumors:

• normotrophic;
• keloids;
• atrophic.

After injuries and punctures, a keloid scar appears on the skin of the body and face. It protrudes above the surface, during growth it hurts, itches and causes other unpleasant symptoms.

What scars appear after different types of piercings:

• Face. For decoration, through punctures are used in the cheek area with the installation of labrets. After removal, a mark similar to a dimple remains. If the cheek heals incorrectly, pus and a raised scar will appear. Microdermals are also used on the cheekbones, leaving white, barely noticeable stripes.
• Lip. A scar from a lip piercing is inevitable; the delicate skin heals slowly and rejection often occurs. Monroe, Madonna, Dahlia leave an imprint, like a mole, and it is possible to disguise it with a tattoo of a fly. Other options may be less noticeable if they are removed at the first sign of rejection.

• Nose. In this area, scar tissue may look like a depression or a bulging ball with purulent contents inside.
• Language. This amazing organ has the unique ability to quickly regenerate using saliva. The puncture heals quickly and often without a trace.
• Nipples. Nipple piercing in women can end in disaster - blockage of the mammary glands. As a result of the growth of atrophied tissue, breastfeeding will be difficult or impossible.
• Eyebrow. The most painful and dangerous zone. High risk of damage and tearing due to caught clothing or hair. A torn wound heals unsightly and with visible raised edges.
• Navel. Rejection of the earring often develops, and childbirth or pregnancy can leave an unsightly keloid scar, which, when the abdomen enlarges, can rupture and go in unaesthetic arrows in different directions.

How to remove a piercing scar

Today, several effective methods for removing various types of scars have been developed.

How to remove piercing scars:

• Surgical excision. The operation is carried out six months later and only in urgent cases, when it is difficult to open the mouth due to scars on the lips and the inability to breathe normally.
• Injection contour plastic surgery. Performed by a cosmetologist to disguise small marks. Repeat procedures after 1.5–2 years.
• Fractional influence. The laser can even out the skin, give it a beautiful appearance, tighten it and remove excess tissue.
• . An erbium laser evaporates liquid from the skin and makes the scar smooth and invisible.

Review of effective ointments

All methods are good in the treatment of scars; gels, ointments and creams aimed at smoothing the skin and producing elastin and collagen can be used to complement cosmetic procedures or be used as an independent method of treatment.

The best drugs:

• Kelofibrase. Prevents blood clots, improves microcirculation and saturates with moisture, which helps to quickly cope with the problem.
• Dermatix. Improves the appearance of the defect and treats it from the inside using silicone.
• Fermenkol. Contains collagenase. Destroys excess collagen and smoothes the surface.
• Kelo-cat. The gel softens the atrophied area due to the silicone content. Effective on all types of scars.
• . Used for various skin deformities. The main component is onion extract, allantoin and heparin, which provide a therapeutic effect.
• Imoferase. It has an effect on the structure of the scar, moisturizes, relieves inflammation and restores essential functions. Indicated for the treatment of scars after tattoos and piercings of the navel and nose.

Rules for puncture and healing to avoid scars

There are a number of measures to help avoid unpleasant consequences and scarring. Experts recommend the following:

• Maintain sterility. Reusable instruments and jewelry are disinfected in an autoclave, the needle and catheter are in disposable sterile packaging.
• Use anti-scar ointments during the healing process.
• Take vitamins to strengthen your immune system.
• Carefully care for and monitor the reaction to the earring.

In photos and in real life, a scar after piercing on the nose or other area of ​​the face or body often does not look aesthetically pleasing. Those with defects try to disguise them or get rid of them completely. But even after a course of expensive procedures, a mark may remain. Be careful about punctures and try to avoid complications.

So you got a piercing and want it to heal as quickly as possible. How to properly care for a piercing so that the healing process goes as quickly and painlessly as possible, I will tell you in detail in this article, pay attention!

Piercing healing process

First you need to understand that piercing is essentially a wound and the healing process of a puncture should be considered as wound care. Healing can be divided into 3 stages:

• The first stage - or inflammatory phase - is a fresh open wound. Bleeding, bruising and swelling are normal during this period, in the first few days after the piercing. During this period, thickening and then granulation of blood and intercellular fluid occur. Cells of the basal (base) layer of skin begin to form.
• The second stage is the growth phase. The period of active wound healing usually lasts about 2 weeks, but in the case of piercings it can last a little longer. At this time, new cells called epithelial cells begin to grow on the basal layer from the edges of the wound to the center. The cells grow together until they finally cover the wound completely. At this stage, the new skin is still very tender and can tear easily.
• The third stage is maturation or restoration. It takes from several months to several years before the cells lining the puncture channel from the inside - essentially scar tissue. This is the final phase.

Important Since delaying any of the three sessions can lead to complications, it is necessary to take the most careful care of the puncture, and also use only titanium jewelry, since titanium does not oxidize and is hypo-allergenic, unlike medical steel. With titanium jewelry, the healing process will proceed without complications.

Normal discharge from a puncture

During the entire healing process, crusts form on and around the jewelry due to the fluid that oozes from the wound. This is a normal part of the healing process. Do not pick these crusts, especially with dirty hands. This secretion should be distinguished from pus, a pale yellow thick liquid with a characteristic unpleasant odor. Pus which consists of white blood cells, bacteria and dead cells. It appears as a reaction to inflammation or infection. A small amount of pus may be released at the very first stage due to inflammation. If pus appears at later stages, this is no longer normal. This is often a signal that there is an infection inside the puncture.

Sebum is a secretion from your skin glands that accumulates in healed canals. These are natural body secretions containing fat, keratin and cellular material. Sebum protects the skin and hair from drying out and prevents the development of microorganisms. It should not be confused with pus; leather lard is denser and is easy to distinguish, despite the fact that it has a somewhat putrid odor, because contains remains of dead cells.

What to Expect

Minor bleeding, sensitivity, swelling or pain are common immediately after getting a piercing. Small intermittent bleeding may be annoying for several days. Even bruising at the piercing sites is normal, although not typical for some types of piercings. If blood flows frequently and in large quantities, you should be concerned and contact your piercer.

If your piercing bleeds or swells immediately after the procedure, apply ice to it. It is better if it is wrapped in a clean napkin or paper towel. Sometimes the puncture site swells so much that you have to replace the jewelry with a looser one. An experienced master will do this with the help of a taper, so as not to cause injury to you.

Punctures that begin to bleed under the surface of the skin can leave a bright bruise. It can be lightened with the help of the wonderful plant “Arnica Mountain”, which is easy to find in the pharmacy, in the form of a cream or gel. Just apply it to the bruise, avoiding getting into the wound.

It happens that swelling can put pressure on a nerve and cause temporary numbness, tingling and other pain. Often these are temporary problems.

It is quite possible if swelling and leakage of fluid persist for a long time. It is also possible that you may not bleed immediately after the procedure, but may begin to bleed after a few weeks or months. This is normal, and unless there are other obvious complications, there is no need to worry. Simply begin treating the piercing as if it were fresh, increasing or decreasing your care regimen as needed.

“healing” does not mean “healed”

If there is no more pain, scabs and bruises, it means that your pissing has passed the first two stages of healing. The puncture hole is smooth, with even edges, not red. If there is leather fat in the puncture, this is a good sign, because... this means that there is no longer an open wound inside, and your piercing has reached the last stage of healing - the maturation stage.

It is important to understand that a puncture that has recently healed is much more gentle than one that has healed a long time ago. Young skin can easily be damaged if not handled carefully and your piercing will again end up in the first stage of an open wound. Be patient a little longer, when the third stage of healing ends, your piercing will become much more reliable!

Minimum healing time

All people are different, everyone has different immunity. Living conditions and attitudes towards piercing care also vary. Therefore, we can give very approximate healing times, which may differ significantly in real life. We have indicated above how long each stage of healing takes. In order to shorten the healing time as much as possible, I strongly recommend that you read the article piercing care, it describes in detail how to properly care for the piercing.

You will be interested to know how quickly a nose piercing heals if we wore it until the wound was completely healed . What are the ways to speed up the healing and removal of a puncture scar?

How to close a hole in your nose

If your piercing is relatively fresh, then no other measures need to be taken other than removing the jewelry.

The human body is unique and has the ability to independently restore the integrity of damaged tissues in the absence of mechanical obstacles. But it should be borne in mind that the older the piercing, the longer the healing will take.

It is possible to speed up the process by refreshing the edges of the wound. In cosmetology centers, this manipulation is called “laser resurfacing.” Its essence is to remove the surface layer of skin with a special device. This leads to the proliferation of epithelial cells and filling of the skin defect.

Those who are not interested in going to a cosmetic salon will have to brave a little pain. If the former piercing does not want to heal, you need to take a sterile needle and scratch the puncture until blood appears and the more damage, the faster everything will heal. Don't forget to treat with an antiseptic.

Speeding up the process

To speed up healing, use multivitamin complexes and biostimulants, such as aloe extract. Also, there are means to speed up regenerative processes:

• Actovegin
• Bepanten
• Panthenol
• Eplan

How to get rid of a scar after a piercing

Local gels and ointments are widely used for scar resorption:

• Contractubex
• Mederma
• Hydrocortisone ointment 1%

All these remedies are used externally, have no side effects and have a good therapeutic effect.

I recommend using contractubex. Steam the scar, apply the ointment to the compress and apply this to the problem skin. The last step is to cover the compress with adhesive tape, preferably overnight. Carrying out this procedure a couple of times a week will be enough.

How long does it take for a nose piercing to heal?

On average, provided there are no complications and the procedure is successful, piercings with jewelry heal within 1 to 3 months. If you remove the jewelry in the first 30 days after the procedure, the wound will heal completely in 7-10 days. After complete scarring, the piercing can take from 3 to 5 years and will leave a scar at the puncture site.

In order to avoid leaving a scar on the skin from the piercing, it is enough not to wear the jewelry for more than 30 days.

Will there be a hole in the nose after piercing?

When wearing jewelry for a long time, a channel is formed and after removing the earring, it can last for many years.

If your living conditions require you to abandon the piercing, but you have had it for more than a year, you can safely remove the jewelry for the required period of time and then install it back. These actions will not cause tissue trauma and will not lead to undesirable consequences.

If the piercing is fresh and there is a need to constantly remove the jewelry, then it is better to refuse the piercing and allow the wound to heal. Since by constantly removing jewelry you will injure yourself and increase the likelihood of infection.

What to do if the hole in your nose is overgrown

If for some reason the jewelry was removed from the piercing before the canal is completely scarred, the piercing can heal with a 90% chance. And after that you won’t be able to insert the decoration.

But on the Internet they write that you can dip the jewelry in an antiseptic and try to insert it back through the pain, and then thoroughly rinse the puncture with an antiseptic to avoid infection.

Overgrown nose piercing

In this case, as you already guessed, you will have to get a new piercing, but in this case you will not have to worry about the fact that piercing in the same place will be more painful because:

• You can always pierce on the other side of your nose
• Nostril has two varieties
  • Ordinary
  • High

It is not necessary to do it in the same place.

Then, for starters, it’s enough to try to renew the puncture site yourself. To do this, you need to purchase an earring with a stem of a smaller diameter. If you were unable to install the jewelry yourself, you must contact the piercer again to repeat the procedure or abandon the piercing altogether.