Sometimes, we all want to change how we look. It could mean getting new bangs, updating our clothes, or even removing a lip piercing we’ve had for a long time. But, unlike changing hairstyles or clothes, taking out a facial piercing might leave minor marks where it used to be. These marks are usually tiny. But depending on how long you had the piercing, and where it was, the hole might stay a bit stretched, and it takes some time to get smaller.
The good news is, most of the time, piercings will slowly get smaller. Even if you’ve had it for a long time, it will either fully heal or become so tiny that you can hardly see it. Meanwhile, here are some easy ways to take care of the marks from a piercing.
Are piercing scares common?
Good news! Piercing scars don’t happen a lot. If your piercing was done right, you took care of it as it healed, and you didn’t accidentally hurt it, any mark left from it should be tiny and not very easy to see.
This is because when you get a piercing done by someone who knows what they’re doing and follows the instructions for taking care of it, the chances of ending up with a noticeable mark are low. It’s a good idea to listen to the pros, follow the aftercare rules, and be gentle with your piercing to keep any marks to a minimum. So, if you’ve done things right, you’ll likely have a tiny, barely noticeable mark that’s manageable!
Sometimes, while your piercing is healing or if it gets caught or rejected, you might see a small raised dot or line near the piercing. This is called hypertrophic scarring. Even though it doesn’t look great, the good news is these marks often go away on their own and usually don’t cause big problems.
How do you prevent piercing scars?
If you’ve had a piercing for a long time and take it out, there might be a small mark left, but it’s usually so tiny that only you can see it.
Caring for your piercing is essential for more extensive scars like hypertrophic scarring rejection or snagging. Clean it every day while it’s healing, and even after it’s all better, be careful when fixing your hair or changing clothes to avoid catching the jewellery. Doing these things from the start lowers the chance of getting more prominent scars.
Watch out for signs that your piercing might be rejected, like redness, swelling, or irritation. If you see these signs, do something about it right away. Scars from rejection happen because the jewellery wasn’t taken out in time. If you catch it early, you can usually stop any scarring and keep your piercing healthy.
How do you minimise your piercing scars?
The good news is that most piercing scars naturally fade away with time if you have a facial piercing scar, whether from damage or having the piercing for a long time. Just be patient and give it time to get better. But if you don’t see it improving after a few months, talk to your dermatologist.
They suggest different options based on the scar’s size or type, like closing the hole with stitches, using laser treatment, giving you a special ointment, or suggesting other ways to reduce the scar.
If you have a facial piercing now and want to make sure it shrinks to a tiny size when you take it out, go for a smaller size for your jewellery. Smaller holes are more likely to get minor compared to larger ones. This choice during your piercing journey can help keep the scar minimal and easy to manage if you decide to remove the piercing.
What to do? If your piercing scars don’t completely go away
If your piercing scars don’t completely go away, they usually get much smaller and not very noticeable. But if they stay a bit, that’s okay! Think of them as a particular part of your self-expression. Piercings let you show who you are, and sometimes they leave minor marks. Even if you can see them a little, your facial piercing scars tell the story of your journey.
Instead of feeling bad about a minor mark, like where your eyebrow piercing used to be, think of it as something unique about you. Scars show the physical story of your past, the things you’ve been through, and how you express yourself. There is no need to feel embarrassed about them; you should feel proud because they’re a part of who you are and the story you carry with you.
Are you worried about scars from facial piercings? Think about a septum piercing.
Are you worried about scars from face piercings? Think about a septum piercing. It gives you a calm face piercing style without visible scars because it’s inside your nose. When you take it out, there won’t be any marks.
What’s even more remarkable is you can hide it easily. Wear a round barbell and flip it up into your anterior naris. This way, you can enjoy your septum piercing. Worrying about piercing scars is normal, but you can make them less likely. Take good care of your piercing, use minor jewellery, or choose a piercing where scars won’t show much. That way, you won’t have long-term problems with your face piercing.