Reviewed by Dr Salinda Johnson MD FSCD
Quick answer: A piercing hole that hasn’t closed on its own can be removed with a minor surgical procedure called excision, which takes out the track of the hole and closes the skin with stitches. A raised lump around a piercing may be a keloid or a hypertrophic scar. They need different treatment, so it is worth having a doctor assess the lump before anyone tries to remove it.
Will a piercing hole close by itself?
Some piercings shrink or close once the jewellery is removed, particularly newer ones. Older piercings, and holes that have stretched or torn from heavy jewellery, often leave a visible hole, dent or notch that doesn’t go away. People also choose to close piercings simply because they’ve changed their mind.
Can a piercing hole be closed permanently?
Yes. At our clinic we offer surgical excision of the piercing hole, which removes the hole completely and closes the skin. It can be done for piercings in the earlobe, nose, lip, eyebrow, belly button or elsewhere on the body. You can read the full details on our piercing hole removal and closure page.
- Assessment. A specialist doctor examines the piercing and explains the best method, aftercare and risks.
- Local anaesthetic. The area is numbed, so you shouldn’t feel discomfort beyond a brief sting from the injection.
- Excision. The doctor removes the hole with an elliptical cut. For earlobes, specific techniques such as L-plasty or Y-plasty may be used to close the hole neatly.
- Stitches and dressing. Stitches may be dissolvable or non-dissolvable depending on the site. The treatment takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Aftercare. A dressing keeps the wound clean, and if stitches need removing you return after 1 to 2 weeks. Most people can resume normal activities straight away.
If your earlobe has stretched or torn, our earlobe repair page explains the options.
Keloid vs hypertrophic scar: what’s the difference?
Both are raised scars that form after the skin is injured, and a piercing is a small injury. The key difference is where the scar tissue grows.
| Hypertrophic scar | Keloid | |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary | Stays within the edges of the original wound | Grows beyond the original wound |
| Feel and look | Raised, red or pink, firm | Firm or hard lump or nodule that can itch or hurt |
| Behaviour over time | May flatten gradually | Doesn’t usually shrink on its own and can keep growing |
| Who is more likely to get one | Anyone | Often runs in families and is more common in darker skin tones |
| Risk if simply cut out | Can recur | Likely to grow back, sometimes larger |
The NHS says surgery alone is not usually recommended for keloids because they’re likely to grow back bigger, and it advises people who are prone to keloids to avoid piercings and tattoos. Earlobes and the upper ear are common places for piercing keloids.
How are piercing scars treated?
- Hypertrophic piercing scars. Treatment may include silicone, steroid injections or laser to calm redness and flatten the scar. See Vbeam for red and raised scars.
- Keloids on the ear. Our specialist doctors plan treatment around preventing regrowth. Options include removing the keloid and following it with a course of steroid injections, and pressure earrings after healing. See our keloid removal page and our keloid scar treatment guide.
- A hole you no longer want. Surgical excision, as described above.
Our work on keloids is backed by research into keloid care, and all treatment is planned individually after an examination.
What not to do
- Don’t squeeze, cut or try to remove a lump at home, because this can make a keloid worse and risk infection.
- Don’t re-pierce a lump that has formed without medical advice.
- See a doctor promptly if the area becomes hot, swollen, increasingly painful or produces pus.
Which should you do first?
If you have a lump, get it assessed first. If you simply have an open hole you want closed, you can book a consultation for excision. In both cases the doctor will check your history of scarring, because a tendency to form keloids changes how treatment is planned. For the wider range of options, see our overview of scar removal treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Can a piercing hole be closed permanently?
Yes. A doctor can remove the hole with a minor surgical procedure called excision under local anaesthetic and close the skin with stitches. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Is my piercing bump a keloid?
It could be a keloid, a hypertrophic scar or another lump such as an infected or irritated piercing. A keloid grows beyond the edges of the original wound. A doctor needs to examine it to tell which it is.
What is the difference between a keloid and a hypertrophic scar?
A hypertrophic scar stays within the boundary of the original wound and may flatten over time. A keloid grows beyond the wound, doesn’t usually shrink on its own and can keep growing.
Can a keloid come back after removal?
Yes. Keloids are likely to grow back if they are simply cut out, which is why treatment plans include steps to prevent regrowth, such as steroid injections and pressure earrings.
Can I get my ear re-pierced after closure?
Ask your doctor first. Re-piercing a spot that has formed a keloid is generally discouraged.
Book a consultation
You can see a doctor at The London Cosmetic Clinic, 2nd Floor, 4 Harley Street, London W1G 9PB, a short walk from Oxford Circus station. Call 0203 581 3391 or send us a message. Our current prices are on the price list.
Book a consultation online.
