What can I do to reduce the hole from my navel piercing? (photo)

Question

I got my navel pierced when I was 20, and got over it and removed it when I was 22. I'm now 24 and the hole still exists. I know it seems small, but I"m so self conscious about the hole. Is there anything can can be done to make it go away?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Scar revision may help improve the scar around the navel and belly button. Scar excision and resuturing is definitely a possibility. Raffy Karamanoukian MD FACS

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

If only the holes are the problem, there are several methods that may be utilized for closing them over. Since the hole appears small in the photo, one method would be to perform a punch excision of the opening. This means to numb the opening with local anesthesia and literally use an appropriately sized, sharp, cooker cutter instrument to take out the opening and then stitch the resulting wound together with a couple of sutures--effectively sealing the site. A second option would be to use a strong acid, such as TCA or phenol applied within the opening, enough to irritate the tissue and cause it begin a wound healing process that would soon result in narrowing or complete closure of the opening.A third possibility would be, once again following local anesthesia, to insert a probe from a radiosurgical or electrosurgical device in order to wound the opening in order to prompt wound healing and ultimately closure of the aperture. Consultation with a board certified aesthetic physician with experience with all available modalities is highly recommended in order to decide which is best for you.

What can I do to reduce the hole from my navel piercing? (photo)

Answers (2)

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