Dealing with scar tissue

[IAMSEX]

I have a major lump of built up scar tissue in my right ear lobe. That was when I was young and didn't know how to treat a piercing. Now it hurts a lot, even a few years later it still sometimes hurts to put in earrings.

What should I do to take care of this problem?

And if I want to get bigger earrings, would it hurt way more just because I have that scar tissue there?Do you have any scar tissue/rejected piercings you want to share about?  

[Terragar]

If you stretch it with the scar tissue, it will hurt, and it could cause it to scar up more. I have a giant lump on one side of my labret from stretching. I can't get rid of it, and I don't want to downsize. Kinda sucks  

[Kekewey Saew]

another option, if you want to gauge up, and make it permanent, is to have your piercer use a dermal punch...it will remove the old piercing, and surrounding scar tissue, if you are going big enough  

[Aetherna]

Is it a Keloid by any chance?

If so:

Quote:

Keloid on BME

may help provide some information.

Vitamin E (and perhaps other?) oils may also help a little bit with breaking down the scar tissue though it depends how thick the scar is and what type of scar it is.

I would talk to a piercer to see what they'd reccomend.

Good luck to you ~  

[Terragar]

no dermal punch lobe gonk if you have to take it that far, have it scalpelled off. no need to remove that much tissue in the lobe  

[Kekewey Saew]

actually, from what I've managed to gather, dermal punches are used most often in the lobes of people who want large gauge jewelry quickly  

[Aetherna]

Kekewey Saew

actually, from what I've managed to gather, dermal punches are used most often in the lobes of people who want large gauge jewelry quickly

Yup, you're correct. Piercing needles are effective up to large gauges such as 4 (eg:BME sells 4gauge) while dermal punches come in larger gauges (again, looking at BME for reference.)

The difference between needle and punch is that one only creates a slit (needle) while the punch completely removes a circle of flesh. If the piercing is left without jewelry, it will not be able to shrink up if dermal punched - you'll still have a stretched-looking lobe.

A scalpel will be able to remove the scar though depending on where the scar is, and it's size, the piercing may be affected too.

So long as it isn't a keloid, a piercer should be able to help you out easily; keloids sometimes return even if scalpelled off.

I still suggest speaking with a piercer since they'll be able to physically examine your ear.  

[IAMSEX]

Well, actually a dermal punch sounds cool. I mean, it's a wuick and easy way to get a bigger hole, which rocks. Plus I'm pretty sure I can handle the pain. Has anyone had experience with a dermal punch? If so does it hurt a lot?  

[Kekewey Saew]

no personal experience...I'm just doing a slow stretch from 14g to 4g
sorry  

[Terragar]

or, you could have it scalpelled to what ever size you want and not lose any tissue. dermal punching to a large size in a lobe will only make it harder, if not impossible, to stretch any bigger. thinner lobe = easier to rip. and yes, dermal punches hurt like a b***h. If you want big lobes, and don't want to wait, go find a piercer experienced in scalpelling. he will be able to make them whatever size you want, and you won't lose any tissue. dermal punches should really only be used in cartilage where its not a good idea to stretch any more than a few sizes  

[Warninglv100]

Terragar

or, you could have it scalpelled to what ever size you want and not lose any tissue. dermal punching to a large size in a lobe will only make it harder, if not impossible, to stretch any bigger. thinner lobe = easier to rip. and yes, dermal punches hurt like a b***h. If you want big lobes, and don't want to wait, go find a piercer experienced in scalpelling. he will be able to make them whatever size you want, and you won't lose any tissue. dermal punches should really only be used in cartilage where its not a good idea to stretch any more than a few sizes

Exactly. Why cookie-cut your lobe when you can have a big hole with a nice amount of tissue to surround it? Dermal punching will only limit any more stretching.

If you check the BME's old QOD there should be multiple answers about why not to dermal punch lobes.  

[Aetherna]

A little entry from Modblog regarding Dermal Punching and why it can be very, very bad (with photos!):

Quote:

35mm Lobes No More

 

[Warninglv100]

Aetherna

A little entry from Modblog regarding Dermal Punching and why it can be very, very bad (with photos!):

Quote:

35mm Lobes No More

gonk That is so very disturbing to view.  

[curseyes]

no experience with dermal punches, but I had my ears scalpelled to combine two holes and center my earlobes..

it was mos def an extremely painful experience, and left a bit of scar tissue..

I rub my lobes with vitamin e daily, the scar tissue isn't very thick or hard.  

[-Panty.Waste-]

I have scar tissue on my belly button piercing, but that's not what we're here to talk about.

I'm not really sure what to do with the scar tissue, as I've never done anything with mine.