Sharpie got in piercing hole and closed up. Is it a tattoo now? What are my options to remove it?

Question

Long story short, they used Sharpie/permanent marker to mark on my ears where to pierce. The piercings were not symmetrical and I had to take them out to close up. They closed up and healed really fast with Sharpie inside of the piercing. It has been a few weeks, and the Sharpie black dot is still very present on both ears. I’ve tried rubbing with alcohol, everything, but it has closed up with the ink inside. What are my options to remove it? I’m so upset.

Jennifer Mundt, NMD · Answer

Hello, I believe it can be hit like tattoo ink. The laser can break down the ink into small pieces for your body to take away. The only hiccup is if the laser cannot break down the actual ingredients inside the Sharpie ink. Or, if the scar tissue is thick from the original wound then scar tissue can sometimes trap ink inside taking it longer to clear out after the laser has hit it.

Richard Ort, MD · Answer

You might need to have the dark spot treated with a tattoo laser.  This would be a quick and easy process but more than one treatment might be needed for full resolution.Regards,Dr. Ort

Mark A. Blair, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question.  It does sound like the ink has been taken in to the wound caused by the piercing.  Since it is within the dermis it may be necessary to treat the ink as if it were a tattoo.  The way a laser works on a tattoo is, it shatters the ink into tiny particles and your body absorbs those particles.  It seems pretty minimal, so it may resolve in 1-2 treatments, but that may be your only option.Good Luck!

Richard Rosol, MD · Answer

This is a known complication of piercing which was unfortunately not known to your piercer.
You have options! Laser removal may be attempted, and there is a good chance of success. Alternatively you may see a dermatologist and inquire about excision of the tattoos by punch biopsy or other method.
Best of luck to you!

Sharpie got in piercing hole and closed up. Is it a tattoo now? What are my options to remove it?

Answers (4)

Answer: Your Sharpie tattoo

Answer: Your Sharpie tattoo

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tattoo Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Sharpie got in piercing hole and closed up. Is it a tattoo now? What are my options to remove it?

Answers (4)

Answer: Your Sharpie tattoo

Answer: Your Sharpie tattoo

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tattoo Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.