I'm 33, but had my ears pierced briefly when I was 18. The back of the holes closed, but the visible front holes have remained all of these years. One hole looks like a slight line now. The holes act like large pores. It sounds gross, but I routinely clean them with slight pressure, and they respond like a small white-head being popped. They don't appear inflamed...no bumps. I just wish to not have to answer "yes, I had my ears pierced". Plus, I personally don't like seeing the reminder.
Pierced Ear Hole Removal - Lobe - Both Ears - Embarrassing
Doctor Answers 13
In order to get rid of the white heads, your surgeon needs to excise the skin lined tract that exist deep into the earlobe tissue.
The tiny scars which most often result from a surgical repair of an ear piercing gone awry are usually a very acceptable trade off for the problems you mention. Find someone with experience to get the best result.
This is an unfortunate side effect of piercing from time to time. Sorry to hear this has happened to you and that it bothers you so much. Although impossible to know without a formal exam, it seems that the best course of action for you is to get the sites surgically removed, and repaired. This often results in fine line scars which should be less of a burden, and hopefully offer you total relief from your current situation. It can be done in the office under local anesthesia and is generally a very reasonably priced procedure.
Garrett A. Wirth, MD, MS, FACS
WirthPlasticSurgery.com
Garrett A. Wirth, MD, MS, FACS
WirthPlasticSurgery.com
You might also like...
It is a fairly simple procedure to repair the earlobe piercing sites that you are describing. This can be done under local anesthesia in the office. It would involve removing the skin that is within the piercing site and then Closing the piercing site. You will still have a small linear scar where the piercing was but it should be a lot more subtle.
This happens all the time. Holes can be uneven. Holes can stretch over time, or are stretched after trauma, (kids pulling on earrings). It sounds like your holes partially closed. We repair these holes often under local anesthesia in the office. Give your local facial plastic surgeon or board certified plastic surgeon a call.
Learn more: http://www.jjrothmd.com/procedures/otoplasty-ear-reshaping
The best solution would be to surgically revise the piercing hole and remove any excess epithelialized tissue and resuture the earlobe.
Learn more: http://surgery90210.com/cosmetic-dermatology/45/earlobe-repair.aspx
Thank you for your question. Your description suggests simple squamous debris being expressed from the old piercing tract. Generally, there is no associated pain or redness. Your condition can be treated with a minor procedure in the office using only local anesthesia. The piercing would be exchanged for a small scar. Good luck.
Learn more: http://www.pearsonmd.com/earlobe-repair.htm
You are not alone with the "old piercing" reminder. I have treated patients who have had small piercings to extremely large (2-3 inch diameter) piercings. Both types can cause ear lobe deformity. The best way to treat this is remove the skin surrounding the original hole and to design theear lobe tissues to close with the least amount of deformity to the shape of the lobe. This can be done under local anesthesia and can take 1hr. Sutures can be removed in 1-2 weeks. In 3-4 months, you can have a repiercing if you'd like.
Excision under local anesthesia will remove the source of the "pimple" sebum that collects in your old pierce sites, as well as eliminating the pierce--with only a minimal permanent scar visible: a good trade!
Learn more: http://www.mpsmn.com/index.html
The earlobe deformity that you describe maybe improved by excision of the depressed area and closure of the wound. A scar will still be present but likely to be less visible.
This earlobe reconstruction and repair of earlobe hole is an office procedure under local anesthesia
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
You might also like...
Related Content
Can I Close Normal Ear Piercings?
22 doctor answers
Can my infected piercing of 4 years be removed surgically?
3 doctor answers
Retin-A w/ Antibiotics?
4 doctor answers
Turbinate Reduction or Nasal Cycle?
5 doctor answers
Ask a Doctor
Get personalized answers from board-certified doctors. For free.
Ear Lobe Surgery Pictures
*Treatment results may vary
Ear Lobe Surgery Pictures
*Treatment results may vary
