By | May 23, 2025
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How To Avoid Keloids On Piercings

To avoid keloids on piercings, especially if you’re prone to them, you’ll need to take both preventative and protective steps before, during, and after the piercing. Keloids are raised, thick scars that grow beyond the original injury site, and once formed, they’re hard to treat—so prevention is key.

✅ Before Getting a Piercing

1. Know Your Risk

  • Higher risk if:
    • You’ve had keloids before
    • You have a family history of keloids
    • You have darker skin (African, Asian, Hispanic descent)
    • You’re between 10–30 years old

👉 If you’re at risk, consider not getting pierced, or discuss alternative placements and preventative strategies with a dermatologist first.

2. Choose a Professional Piercer

  • Go to a reputable studio with sterile practices.
  • Ask them to use a needle (not a piercing gun)—needles cause less trauma to the tissue.

✅ Aftercare Tips to Prevent Keloids

3. Clean Gently and Consistently

  • Use a sterile saline solution (NOT alcohol or hydrogen peroxide).
  • Clean 2–3 times a day for the first few months.

4. Avoid Irritation

  • Don’t touch or twist the jewelry.
  • Avoid tight clothing, pressure, or trauma to the piercing.
  • Sleep in a way that doesn’t press on the area.

5. Use Hypoallergenic Jewelry

  • Stick to titanium, niobium, or surgical steel—avoid nickel or cheap metal jewelry that can irritate the skin.

🛡️ Preventative Measures if You’re High-Risk

6. Apply Silicone Gel or Sheets

  • Once the piercing is healed, you can use silicone gel to minimize scar formation.

7. Pressure Therapy

  • For ear piercings, you can wear pressure earrings after healing to help prevent keloid growth.

8. Steroid Injections (If Advised by Doctor)

  • If you’re extremely prone to keloids, a dermatologist may recommend preventative corticosteroid injections shortly after piercing.

⚠️ What NOT to Do

  • Don’t use harsh cleansers or ointments not meant for piercings.
  • Don’t remove the jewelry too soon—it can trap infection or cause more trauma.
  • Don’t ignore bumps—if you notice swelling or irritation, get it checked before it becomes a keloid.

🚨 If You Notice a Keloid Forming

  • See a dermatologist immediately.
  • Early treatment may involve:
    • Steroid injections
    • Cryotherapy
    • Laser therapy
    • Silicone sheets