How to Prevent Keloids on Ear Piercings

If you’ve ever developed a keloid scar on ear piercings, you know how terrible it can look and how difficult it is to treat. Keloids can be caused by acne, minor burns, cuts, scrapes, or scratches but are commonly found after getting your ears pierced. How keloid scars develop in terms of size, dimension and severity can depend on the seriousness of the injury and where it is located. If you know you are prone to keloidal scarring, there are steps you can take to minimize the chance of getting them when you pierce your ears. Keloids are difficult to treat and they don’t go away on their own. Once a keloid forms, you can’t completely eliminate the scar, though if treated early, it’s possible to diminish the appearance.

Body Piercings: Keloids / Hypertrophic Scar Tissue | UrbanBodyJewelry.com

How to Prevent Keloids on Ear Piercings

Understand The Risks

While keloid are more commonly found on the arms, upper chest, and upper back, they do have the risk of forming on your ears. While men and women are equally susceptible to hypertrophic scarring, there are specific groups that are more prone to it. People with darker complexions, pregnant women, teens, individuals under 30, and others with a history of keloid scarring may be more susceptible to keloid scar formation.

Talk To Your Doctor 

Talk to your doctor. Before deciding to even get your ears pierced, consult your physician. Everyone’s skin is different and every scar is different too. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether their are treatments that will work or if getting ear’s pierced is a good idea to begin with.

Use Topical Healing Aids. 

The primary goal prevent keloids on ear piercings is to help facilitate faster healing with less inflammation in order to prevent scar formation. The more quickly the piercing heals, the less likely it is for scars to form. It is important to use unadulterated therapeutic grade quality essential oils. Tea Tree, lavender, eucalyptus and helichrysum are all great oils for healing skin. Be sure to use with a carrier oil.

Sleep on Your Back

Sleep on your back to prevent irritation during the night. Sleeping on your side increases the likelihood that your earrings will become caught on your sheets or blanket. If they become caught, they may slow down healing and increase pain and inflammation.

Stop Smoking

If you smoke, stop.  Smoking decreases blood circulation in the skin, which contribute to inadequate wound healing and possibly tissue loss.

Change Your Jewelry

Contact dermatitis, an allergic skin reaction, can cause piercing bumps. Many people are allergic to certain metals. Nickel allergies are particularly common. Many cheaper metals contain nickel alloys.

Try a Chamomile Compress

Chamomile is known for its powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. A warm chamomile compress can help transfer these healing properties while increasing blood flow and healing to the ear.

Piercing Aftercare & Healing Piercing Fast | Roly

While the ear piercing process takes only seconds, but newly pierced ears require six to eight weeks of healing time. Taking proper care of the pierced ears and keeping them clean will speed healing, reduce pain and prevent infection. It is essential that a trained professional pierce your ears in a sterile environment to prevent complications. Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication for the first few days after the piercing can reduce discomfort and swelling.

Some piercing bumps clear up within a few days of improving your cleaning regime, but others can take much longer. Keloids can take weeks or months to fully disappear

If you aren’t seeing improvement, talk with your piercer. They are the best person to assess your symptoms and advise you on any next steps.

Want more advice on how to handle keloids? Check out How to Use Aloe Vera Gel for Keloids!