Do Body Piercings Leave Scars?

 

You’re somewhere between the four to eight week mark for your new body piercing. But something’s not right. There’s a bump. It’s firm, quite thick and it’s a pink or red colour. It might even feel itchy or a little painful. Chances are, you’re looking at some hypertrophic scarring. But don’t start your Google search panic just yet! It’s a common occurrence that is generally harmless and heals with time. But if you’re keen to speed up this process, we’ve got you covered.

Why Do I Have A Hypertrophic Scar? 

First, let’s make sure that you actually have a hypertrophic scar. Check that the scarred tissue isn’t continuing to grow and appear raised more than 4mm. If your little bump is looking more like a bulge, you might be battling with a keloid scar. It’s best to take your case to the doctor if you’re seeing these symptoms. 

But if you’re sure that a hypertrophic scar is what you have, then what happened?! Here’s the deal: your piercing is an open wound and your body will produce collagen to heal it. But sometimes it can get carried away and produce too much collagen, creating a raised scar. 

How Do I Treat It? 

First things first, make a visit to your Sunshine Coast body piercer. They’re your first point of call for any issue related to your piercing and can advise you on what to do next. It’s likely they’ll recommend waiting until the actual piercing wound is healed before you take any action. Make sure that you’re not diving into any treatments until you’re sure that it’s safe to do so. When you’re ready, here are a few potential treatments to get you started: 

Swap Your Jewellery 

It may seem like a simple fix but the reality is that low-quality jewellery can be the beginning of a whole string of problems. Always go for jewellery that won’t irritate your skin and if you are experiencing issues, talk with your piercer about swapping your current jewellery out. 

Silicone Treatment

Using silicone gel twice daily may flatten the raised scar and make it seem less prominent. Silicone will hydrate the tissue and help reduce the overproduction of collagen. It’s a popular method and an easy solution that’s cost-effective and won’t require a prescription. 

Laser Therapy 

If low cost remedies aren’t doing the trick and you’re keen to put your scar behind you, you can turn to laser therapy for effective treatment. Laser therapy can significantly lighten the colour of the scar and shrink it – making the raised skin appear more uniformed with the skin around it. 

Things To Avoid

The best remedy for scarring is to mitigate the risk of it happening in the first place. After your body piercing appointment, make sure to follow your recommended aftercare routine. Seriously, don’t let this one slide! Try not to play with the jewellery while the open wound is still healing and never use products with strong smells or harsh chemicals. Our advice is simple: keep the wound clean and follow the recommended aftercare routine.  

A Waiting Game 

If things do go downhill and you’re experiencing ongoing pain, swelling, or itching, then book a consultation with your doctor. But in most cases, your hypertrophic scar will heal with time, even if you use no treatments. Just be patient.