(c) 1996 Wide Smiles Reprint in whole or in part, with out written permission from Wide Smiles Removing Keloids - Suggestions from body piercing FAQ The Following comes from a body piercing FAQ, located at: Keloid scars are raised blister- or pimple-like formations of scar tissue which form in or around a piercing. Keloids may be red, itchy, and inflamed, and may change size over time. Keloids seem to occur most frequently in ear piercings (both lobe and cartilage) and nostril piercings. Labret, nipple, and navel piercings have also been known to be affected. There is no way to predict whether or not a keloid scar will develop in a particular piercing - a first or second lobe piercing may heal perfectly, but the next piercing will flare up into scar tissue. technique used (piercing gun, hollow piercing needle, or even sewing needle) may or may not make a difference. people have had different and vast experiences. Irritation of the piercing during healing, such as changing
jewelry before the piercing has fully healed or pulling or tearing of the piercing, may increase the likelihood of scar tissue developing. scar tissue is more likely to form if the ring is too small in diameter for the length of the piercing, or if the stud is too short, which is often the case of sleeper studs with butterfly clip backs installed with a piercing gun. Bacterial infections can also irritate the piercing enough for a small lump of scar tissue to form. 2. METHODS OF TREATING KELOIDS Removing the jewelry at the first signs of keloid formation and allowing the piercing to heal closed will often get rid of the keloid, or minimize its size. Existing and healed keloid scars can be removed surgically, under local anesthetic, by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Surgical removal of the scar tissue does not guarantee that more scar tissue will not form. Scar tissue may also be injected with cortisone or other steroids.
A large or deep scar may require more than one session. The cortisone acts to shrink and break downPossible side effects of cortisone injections are unwanted hair growth, yeast infections, and other steroid-related side effects. Some people have reported diminished keloids with the application of tea tree oil, available in most health food and organic stores. Vitamin E, applied during healing, may decrease the formation or chance of formation of scar tissue. Several piercers have recommended the application of a paste of distilled water and aspirin, for 20 minutes twice a day. One dermatologist I've spoken to about keloids says that once a keloid begins to form, the presence of the jewelry will continue to irritate the area and the scar tissue will continue to grow until the jewelry is removed. He also said that cortisone or steroid injections with the jewelry in place may help shrink the keloid some, but that with jewelry present, the keloid will never completely
Also, the injections tend not to work so well in cartilage layers. advice is to remove the jewelry. He also said the tendency to form deep scar tissueHow to treat your new ear party with TLC. Remember the arm party trend of 2011? Yeah, neither do we—and we have an inkling that it has to do with the fact that our Instagram feeds are now populated with everyone from your coworker to Kylie Jenner showing off their latest ear piercings. As one of the earliest forms of body modification dating as far back as the biblical age (so, like, a really long time ago), pierced ears have always been a thing, but the gotta catch ‘em all mentality certainly applies now. With the enviable displays of studs and hoops that make for excellent social media fodder, it’s easy to forget piercing aftercare is a long-term commitment that can be painful and sometimes unsightly (the horror!). To get the lowdown on how best to take care of your freshly pierced lobes, we quizzed expert Ben Tauber from Manhattan jewelry and piercing studio Maria Tash.
If his celebrity clients are any indication (Abigail Breslin, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Ilana Glazer, and Zoë Kravitz to name a few), we’re pretty sure he knows what he’s doing. What’s the biggest mistake people make after they get piercings? “Listening to their friends when it comes to how to take care of piercings, and touching fresh ones with dirty hands.” What does a normal reaction look like after you get pierced? “After the first few days, it’s completely normal to have a little bit of redness, soreness and swelling. The swelling can last upwards of 10-14 days and you’ll get a little bit of clear or white discharge, which will turn into what we call ‘crusties.’ This is just your body’s standard reaction to the piercing and how it starts its heal cycle. Do not pick those off—you’ll just aggravate the piercing. They will fall off on their own.” What kind of reaction to a piercing isn’t normal? “If you’re still experiencing redness and soreness after 10 days, pay a visit to your piercer and have them look at it.
If it’s warm to the touch, the skin around the area is shiny, or if you have green discharge or a slight odor emitting from the piercing, all of those signs are considered bad—it’s the onset of an infection.” What’s the deal with piercing infections, anyway? “Infections in piercings are honestly not very common. A lot of people think they have an infection, when really it’s just a little irritated from sleeping or snagging your piercing.” What are the basics of aftercare? “Before you go anywhere near your fresh piercing, always wash your hands. “Use a sterile saline wash to do a soft compress twice a day: soak or spray a clean piece of gauze or cotton pad in sterile solution and hold it to your piercing for a few minutes. You can buy the saline solution at piercing studios in pre-saturated wipes, or in a bottle at the pharmacy, or the first aid section of corner stores. “One trick I tell clients is to warm the compress first. Put the sterile wash bottle into a sink filled with hot water for a couple minutes.
The higher temperature will encourage blood flow and pull out fluid from any swelling.” What about the piercing reaction that looks like a bump? “The dreaded ‘bump’ is usually scar tissue, and not actually an infection. When that does happen, I tell people to try the following: 1. “Use warm compresses, [a warm water-soaked cotton pad or piece of gauze with the excess squeezed out, then held to the piercing for a couple minutes]. 2. “Try a little drop of vitamin E oil dabbed on with a Q-tip, which will help reduce scarring. 3. “Use a chamomile tea compress, which can also reduce scarring quite significantly. To do this at-home remedy, let the chamomile tea steep for 10 minutes in boiled water. Once it’s cooled down, dab a clean cotton pad or piece of gauze in the tea and squeeze out the excess liquid. Like with the warm compress, hold the gauze onto your piercing for a few minutes.” What are common healing periods for piercings?For soft tissue piercings like on your earlobe, the healing period is typically 2-3 months.