It is not necessary that every nose piercing will result in a scar. However, allergies and infections are the main reasons for the development of scars due to piercing.
A scar is the body’s natural response to injury. In the case of a nose piercing, the body reacts by increasing production of connective tissue to repair the puncture in the skin. A wound may develop into a scar due to an injury of greater magnitude or a longer healing period.
You may have always wanted to have your nose pierced and wear fashionable nose rings. The thought of a scar, however, could have stopped you.
Alternatively, you might already have a piercing, the closing of which has left a scar on your nose. You may be looking for ways to remove the scar and look spotlessly beautiful once again.
In this article, Let us find out more about nose piercing scars and the ways of its removal.
Table of Contents
How To Get Rid Of Nose Piercing Bump Scar
For a nose piercing scar, it is safe to follow the given steps to get rid of the scar.You should first consult a dermatologist and have the type of scar assessed. This will help you understand a proper course of action for the same.
You can then, use a silicon-based gel on the scar. It will reduce the thickness of the scar, and it may appear smaller in size. Corticosteroid injections can help reduce scar tissue. It can minimize inflammation and the tissue as well as surrounding skin appear smoother.
Fat or collagen is injected near the piercing which smoothens out the skin. You can opt for a skin rejuvenation treatment. This will remove dead skin cells and allow new skin to form. This can help to reduce the scar.
Finally, surgery may be necessary to remove the scar tissue. After removal of the tissue, the skin is grafted depending upon the wound size.
Various things like compression bandages, silicon-based creams, etc. are used to avoid the formation of scar tissue. Your dermatologist may also recommend laser skin treatment or microdermabrasion.
For covering a tiny scar, it is best to use a make – up concealer. Since the injury is very small, it will hardly be visible. With a good quality concealer, you can easily look spot free!
Home Remedies For Nose Piercing Scars
There are various home remedies you can use for a small, common scar.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
This common kitchen ingredient is very effective in killing bacteria, minimizing redness and reducing the size of the scar. For this, you must first clean the piercing site with mild soap and water.
After that, apply apple cider vinegar with cotton directly on the piercing. Let it dry for a few minutes. Using this remedy several times a day for about a month can help to reduce the scar. To dilute raw vinegar, use it with the equal amount of water.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is an excellent exfoliating agent. When used topically, it removes the top layer of dead skin. Use a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in the ratio of 1:3.
Apply this paste with a cotton ball and leave it on for about 15 minutes to dry. Wash it off with cold water. This remedy can be used multiple times for about a month.
3. Honey
Honey has numerous healing properties and is useful in reducing the proliferating cells in a keloid. Directly apply honey to the affected area and massage with your fingers.
This will remove dead cells and enhance blood circulation. After the massage, wash off the area and repeat it twice a day. This remedy will give you better results within three weeks.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an excellent product for skin ailments. It is an amazing ayurvedic herb for getting a beautiful glowing skin. Aloe vera is a mild plant and is very useful in reducing inflammation. It also prevents infections and keeps your skin moisturized.
Aloe vera gel can be applied directly to the affected area. Leave it dry and wash it off. You can repeat this twice a day. It is better to use fresh aloe vera juice from the plant rather than buying a gel.
5. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Lemon juice helps in improving the appearance of the scar.Apply lemon juice on the scar and leave it for up to 30 minutes. Finally, rinse with cold water and repeat it twice every day.
This remedy is also useful in overall improvement of the texture of the keloid as it allows new cells to grow.Lemon juice is also an important ingredient for making homemade skin tightening mask to lift your face naturally.
6. Garlic –
Onion garlic extract is known to stop excessive fibroblast growth.Fibroblast growth is the cause of the development of keloids.Crush garlic cloves and apply on the keloid.
Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. If you find the smell too strong, you can mix it up with some olive oil.
7. Sandalwood and Rosewater
Sandalwood is full of properties beneficial for the skin. It stops itching. When mixed with rose water, it soothes the inflamed skin of keloids.
Mix a teaspoon of sandalwood powder with a tablespoon of rose water and form a paste. Apply it to the scar and leave it on overnight, or at least for 3 hours. Rinse it with cold water.
This remedy can be used every alternate day for a month for best results. Sandalwood and Rosewater are also used in a homemade night cream for fairness.
8. Hot Compressor Soak
A sea salt hot compress or soak, chamomile tea soak or a tea tree oil dab, diluted with skin-friendly oil is helpful for curing scars. This will also help to avoid any rashes.
9. Antibacterial Cream
You can also use a topical antibacterial cream or gel to get rid of the scar.
10. Vitamin E–
Vitamin E available in drugstores can help lighten scars. It contains antioxidants and helps to renew skin cells. It makes the scar lighter.
Some other tips
Cucumber juice mixed with lemon juice can be very helpful in diminishing the scars.Mashed apples and pineapples can also help exfoliate skin. It also removes dead skin cells and brightens skin.
However, home based remedies and concealers are alright for treating minor scars. Keloid and other larger scars require medical intervention, and it is best to consult a specialist at the earliest.
Closing A Piercing Hole and Reducing Scarring
Sometimes you may want to close a piercing when it is no longer appealing. It is important to let the piercing heal completely first.
If you attempt to close a fresh piercing by taking out jewelry, it may cause infection in the form of pus.
Once it has healed, you may begin by taking off jewelry. After that, wash the pierced area daily with a mild soap. Gently squeeze out any dirt remaining in the hole by pressing with your thumb and forefinger. Be careful not to press it too hard.
Avoid using any gels, creams or moisturizers near the affected area. Once there is no redness near the pierced site, and no dirt remains, the hole is about to close. Do not poke it with jewelry to test, or the hole may re -open.
This may take about a couple of months. Once you are sure that the hole has closed, you can start applying the anti-scarring gel. This gel has to be applied every day for a month. If your skin has an allergic reaction, you should stop using the gel and use soap and water.
You should have a high vitamin diet and drink lots of water to stay healthy. You can also consult a doctor if you doubt an infection has developed.
Gray Skin around Piercing
Argyria or grey skin occurs due to wearing low-quality silver jewelry in the piercing. This causes the skin to become grey, bluish-gray or orange -black. The silver oxidizes when it comes in contact with body fluids such as sweat and natural oils causing a grey stain.
In such cases, you can replace your jewelry with a better quality piece. Before replacement, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the area with a saline solution.
Types of Scars
The scars are of two types – common scars and keloid scars.
- Common scars are small, round and red. This type of scar fades away on its own.
- The larger and bubble like scars are known as keloid scars. Keloid scars may also enter the pierced area, transcending beyond the injured tissues.
The good news is that dermatologists can help cure these scars.
Occurrence
It is not a thumb rule that every piercing will result in a scar. A scar is the body’s natural reaction to an injury. It is always not a cause for worry.There are different factors that determine that a piercing will cause a scar or not.
These factors are
- Your tendency to develop the infection
- Different allergies
Tugging at the weed nose ring may also cause a scar. If you are prone to keloids, you may be more likely to develop one on the pierced site.
Causes
There can be many reasons for the development of a scar at the pierced site. Some of these are discussed below-
1. Poor Aftercare –
Aftercare of the piercing is of utmost importance.
- Use a mild antibacterial soap for the freshly pierced area.
- You can also use sea salt for cleaning.
- Avoid using harsh products containing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine or Neosporin.
- These products can lead to chemical healing, or drying out of tissues around the wound. This can lead to the formation of scars.
2. Cleanliness –
If you fail to clean the piercing appropriately or happen to sleep on the piercing, it may cause a scar.
3. Jewelry –
A scar can also result from tugging at the nose ring.
- It may also occur if you change jewelry soon after piercing. You should avoid taking off the jewelry until it heals within a few days of the piercing. Else, it causes a block in the hole and poor drainage.
- Further, using poor quality jewelry can trigger a scar too. If you are allergic to the material of the jewelry, the area around the piercing can cause an allergic reaction.
4. Infection–
Infection is another major cause for the development of a scar. If you touch the piercing repeatedly, it might result in an infection.
Prevention
Although not every piercing will lead to a scar, it is better to take precautions regarding the same. The foremost consideration should be the choice of the piercing parlor.
You should only choose a reliable parlor. It should have qualified staff. Proper tools should always be used. A licensed parlor should be preferred.
It is necessary to maintain hygiene after piercing to avoid the risk of infections. You must touch the pierced area only after thoroughly cleaning your hands with soap. Do not try to pop any a pimple that occurs at the site. It will cause the situation to worsen.
You must only use high-quality jewelry made out of gold, silver, titanium, stainless steel or niobium. These are very unlikely to cause infections and allergies to your skin and hence are the safest options. Cheap jewelry may prove to be dangerous for your skin.
You should keep the pierced area clean by cleaning it at least twice a day with a saline solution using a cotton swab. Using heavy makeup and lotions on the pierced site may delay healing. It is better to refrain from these products until the skin has healed to avoid any scars.
Also, avoid taking off the piercing jewelry until the skin has healed. Taking it out before at least six weeks or unless it has completely healed may increase the chances of an infection.
Too much exposure to the sun can also be harmful. Refrain from going out in the sun too much until the skin has completely healed.
Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars
Keloid scars are hard and have a firm growth due to scar formation. They may occur after a piercing in some cases. They are mostly itchy and cause discomfort, and may be larger than the wound itself. These do not pose any serious threats to your general health. However, it is best to consult a dermatologist for such a scar.
A hypertrophic scar is one where the scar area thickens due to tension on the healing area. It is flat and pale and most often red and prominent. This happens when the wound heals and scar tissue forms.
Basic hypertrophic scars can be treated with home remedies, but major ones require a doctor. In case you develop a hypertrophic scar, it is advisable not to wear jewelry in the affected piercing. However, if you still want to wear a nose ring, you can take certain precautions to avoid the aggravation of the infection.
Wear a paper tape covering a little beyond the affected area. Soak the piercing in a saline solution. Take 1/8 tsp iodine-free sea salt and ½ cup distilled water and soak it for 10 minutes every day. Thereafter, Wash it with antibacterial soap.
Massage the scar with a drop of tea tree oil mixed with olive oil or sunflower oil. This will help to break down collagen fibers.
Final Talk
A nose piercing is an expression of your personality. It not just enhances your facial beauty, but also adds a zing to your overall look. It is important to take this decision carefully.
You must well – research for a piercing parlor, which is certified. You must also take special care in choosing the material of jewelry as per your skin type.
Once the piercing is done, it is necessary to keep the area clean and avoid tugging at the jewelry. If it becomes uncomfortable, you should consult your parlor.
If you wish to close the piercing, you should follow the procedure mentioned above to ensure a scar-free closure. In a case of any scars or marks, you can try out home remedies or silicon-based gels.
However, for serious issues consulting a doctor without delay would be advisable.
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