Ask a doctor

What is the Best Procedures if I Want 2 Get my Ear Repeirced After Keloid Removal?

-Had keloid removed. -Got steroid injections. -Really want it peirced again. -Have scar from surgery on back of earlobe. -Never heard of clip ons for guys. -HELP!!

Doctor Answers 9

Can you re-pierce the earlobe after keloid removal?

February 8th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

The short answer is that yes, you can re-pierce the ear but the likelihood of recurrent keloid is quite high.  If you decide to take the risk, let your plastic surgeon that removed the keloid know so it can be treated quickly should the keloid start to come back.

Joseph Campanelli, MD


Portland Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.5 out of 5 stars 8 reviews

Risk of recurrent keloid with ear lobule piercing.

November 25th, 2010
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

You certainly will have to accept the risk of a recurrent keloid. In many instances, it is my opinion, htat tis is related to a metal allergy so you may want to consider a pure metal such as gold.

Web reference: http://www.bodysculptor.com/facial-surgery-chicago/otoplasty/

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 72 reviews

Repiercing earlobes : keloids

December 10th, 2015
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Keloids and hypertrophic scars are common problems with piercings and gauged plugs. They can be excised, treated with lasers, injections of kenalog and 5fu. Pressure clips are sometimes useful during the healing process. Unfortunately, there is some tendency for recurrence. Consider clips

Web reference: http://www.horowitzmd.com/plastic-surgery-procedures-newport-beach/earlobe-repair-reduction/

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 93 reviews

Think twice about re-piercing after earlobe keloids

September 29th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I don't recommend repiercing to my keloid patients.  Generally, this would cause the keloid to regrow and secondary surgery to remove it would engender even more keloiding.  Compression earrings can work to reduce keloid formation post-operatively, as would steroid injections.  There are a variety of great looking clip-on earrings available.  I know how much my patients love their pierced earrings, but sometimes it's better to be cautious than sorry. 

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS
New York Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

Keloid will likely recur

July 10th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Hello,

I would suggest you resist the temptation to re-pierce your earlobe. The keloid recurrence rate will be quite high.

 

Best Regards,

John Di Saia MD

John P. Di Saia, MD

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 25 reviews

Repiercing after Keloid scar

February 28th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I would also recommend not re-piercing unless you are willing to accept a very high risk of a recurrent keloid scar.  The causes for keloid scars are likely genetic, so that it is not possible to take away the risk of recurrence.

Jeff Scott, MD

Jeff Scott, MD
Everett Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 10 reviews

Keloid and ear-piercing

February 20th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I would not recommend re-piercing your ears if you are prone to keloids. It may happen again from the piercing.

Web reference: http://www.stevenwallachmd.com

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

If you have had keloids of your lobes, don't get them repierced!

September 1st, 2010
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Keloids of the earlobe are the product of the genetically directed healing mechanism in that part of the body - the earlobe.  Repiercing is likely to result in another keloid and I would strongly advise you against it.

Web reference: http://www.zubowicz.com/

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 31 reviews

If you have had keloids once, you are probably going to get them again.

August 31st, 2010
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

The short answer is, repiercing is likely to cause keloids no matter what procedure is done. You body has demonstrated that it responds to the minor injury of piercing by forming the scar tumors know as keloids. If you have had these removed and healed well, consider yourself lucky and don't pierce again.

Elizabeth Slass Lee, MD

Elizabeth Slass Lee, MD
Bay Area Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 48 reviews

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.