Can I get keloids removed and get gauges after my lobe has healed?

Question

Can you get gauges after getting keloids surgically removed? And if you can, is silicon gauges the best type of earrings to get instead of any type of metal?

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

if you had keloids removed from your earlobes successfully you are lucky and shouldn’t consider getting anything further done to them.  Not even piercings.

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

Typically after earlobe repair of any kind a large portion of the remaining earlobe is scar tissue. Because of this, getting any type of large piercing like gauge earrings can risk earlobe splitting, stretching, or otherwise injuring your original repair. If this is something you would like to pursue, I would search out a surgeons office who does piercings or a piercing business that has some familiarity with this type of piercing.

Stanley Okoro, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. It is difficult to answer without seeing photos, but I will do my best. I  would recommend against getting your ears pierced after you already had a keloid formation. Having one keloid makes it likely you will have keloids in the future. You may consider wearing nickle free jewelry, getting laser hair removal to the chest, neck, under arms and pubis and no not get further piercings/tattoo. Good luck.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office repairs earlobes after a traumatic tear of earrings, gauge piercings, or after a facelift in which the earlobes are stretched. Earlobe surgery is composed of several techniques that can either repair torn earlobes (split earlobes) or correct overly redundant earlobe tissue from piercings or genetics or stretching. Our HIDEF earlobe repair includes a recontouring of the earlobe contour using multi-layered sutures to reapproximate the curvature of the earlobe; while simultaneously restoring contour to the ear. In patients with pixie ears after facelift surgery, an alternate technique is used to reduce the dependance of the earlobe on the facelift flap. Facelift surgery can reshape the earlobe and this requires restoration. Sutures are usually taken out within 10 days and the wound is repierced in 4-6 weeks thereafter. Keloid scars must be addressed in patients with known history for scarring.

Keloids are another major reason to undergo earlobe repair if there is a keloid scar nodule that has developed in the earlobe or ear cartilage rim. We use a combination of lasers, injections, and keloid surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Keloids are another major reason to undergo earlobe repair if there is a keloid scar nodule that has developed in the earlobe or ear cartilage rim. We use a combination of lasers, injections, and keloid surgery.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! I suggest not getting gauges after keloid removal.  Best of luck!Dhaval Patel
Double Board Certified 
Plastic Surgeon
Chicago 
Hoffman Estates 
Orland Park
Oakbrook

Shayne Webb, MD · Answer

Most surgeons including myself would tell you not to get another gauge placed into an earlobe that once had a keloid removed.  You might be able to have them gauged again without any issues, or the keloid may recur even worse than before.Best wishes

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I would not recommend trying to have your earlobes gauged after removal of keloids.  After removal of keloids, the earlobes are not as strong and anything you do to the earlobe can cause reoccurrence of keloids.

Garrett A. Wirth, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

While it is possible to get gauges after keloid removal/treatment, I do not believe it is a good idea and would discourage it.

Larry Lickstein, MD · Answer

Simply treating your keloids successfully can be a challenge.  Excision of the scar mass risks redevelopment of the keloid, and some patients benefit from adjuvant treatment with low level radiation, topical Aldara, injections of steroids, massage, even compression clip on earrings to prevent recurrence.  If you are able to have your keloids removed, I would discourage you from even a simple piercing, as any injury to the site will risk recurrent pathologic scarring.

Can I get keloids removed and get gauges after my lobe has healed?

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