Belly button piercings can be stylish and enjoyable, but they may also lead to complications such as keloids. These thick, lumpy scars can be painful and unsightly, but treatments are available to help flatten and reduce their appearance. Patients looking to remove a belly button ring scar should consult a plastic surgeon about available treatments.
Silicone Products for Belly Button Piercings
Silicone gels and sheets, available as scar pads or liquid gels, are proven to reduce the appearance of hypertrophic and keloid scars. Their occlusive barrier helps maintain skin hydration while protecting it from environmental influences. Additionally, experts claim that this reduces the risk of abnormal scarring by protecting cells involved in scar formation.
Kelo-Cote’s clear, non-greasy formula dries quickly and should be applied twice daily to soften raised scars, reduce itching and redness, and prevent new scar formation. We recommend this treatment for patients undergoing procedures like navel piercing.
This silicone scar treatment features soothing chamomile and calendula for a relaxing effect, along with vitamin A to stimulate collagen production. It is especially effective in helping reduce the appearance of belly button piercing holes by promoting healthy skin regeneration and minimizing scar tissue formation.
Laser Therapy for Belly Button Piercing Scar
Piercings can be an exhilarating way of self-expression, but they can also lead to complications, such as scar tissue formation. It may appear after a belly button piercing revision and require professional intervention to decrease in size and prevent future recurrences.
Laser or light therapy treatments can effectively flatten keloid scars, decrease associated discomfort, and aid in the skin’s faster healing. You may experience a brief stinging sensation during treatment that typically dissipates within several hours.
Laser or light therapy treatments used for cosmetic purposes depend on each patient’s goals and expectations for treatment. Recovery typically involves some swelling or tenderness after these procedures, but painkillers should help alleviate any associated discomfort.
Dermabrasion for Belly Button Hole Repair
Dermabrasion is a skin resurfacing technique that involves surgically scraping or sanding damaged areas to allow new cells to grow back. Dermabrasion may be performed in either a medical office or a hospital and employs local anesthetic, as well as freezing spray, to numb the area and minimize pain.
Dermabrasion treatments generally take several days for the skin to heal after the procedure is performed fully. Therefore, it is crucial that patients follow all instructions from their cosmetic surgeon regarding post-dermabrasion care and protection from sunlight until the pigmentation has returned to normal.
Corticosteroid Injections for Body Piercing
Corticosteroid treatments may help soften and reduce the appearance of hard scars, including those caused by keloids or hypertrophic scars. A type of collagen, made from purified cow collagen, is injected beneath the skin in this treatment to replace natural collagen production and minimize scarring.
Cortisone injections also reduce the protease inhibitors that block collagenase production, subsequently inhibiting excessive scar tissue formation. Hence, it decreases scar tissue proliferation and scar tissue expansion. They can reduce inflammation as well as relieve symptoms of pain, itching, and tenderness.
After receiving a belly button piercing, keloids may develop within weeks after insertion of an intralesional injection or implanted device. These raised, firm growths are a telltale sign of infection and require medical intervention to reduce or eradicate. If you have undergone a Liposuction surgery, understand whether it will leave a scar or not.
Organic Creams & Aloe Vera
Belly button piercings are an increasingly popular way to express personal style; however, these body modifications may lead to complications, such as excessive scar tissue formation. If raised and firm growths appear weeks or even months after piercing, you may be dealing with a keloid.
Small keloids may be diminished or eliminated with liquid nitrogen treatment, either alone or in combination with steroid injections to flatten and reduce their likelihood of recurrence. Plus, if you have an infected belly button piercing, you have to consult a professional immediately!
An all-natural home treatment for shrinking keloid scars can help reduce inflammation and aid in scar healing. Apply a pure, organic cream or lotion containing aloe vera, vitamin E extract, onion extract, shea butter, or cocoa butter twice a day, for approximately 10 minutes each application. Two 10-minute sessions should suffice.
Tissue Compression Therapy for Hypertrophic Scar
Belly button piercings are an increasingly popular form of self-expression. Unfortunately, they may also lead to complications such as excessive scar tissue formation and keloids—raised, firm growths caused by various factors that require professional intervention to flatten and shrink.
Applying consistent pressure to a keloid scar can help limit its growth and spread, with compression garments or tape providing the necessary support to maintain consistent pressure on it. This also prevents the formation of new keloids in the future.
Monitoring keloid progress should be closely tracked with help from a wound nurse or doctor. Regular visits will ensure that healing occurs without scarring. Medication may also be prescribed to address any discomfort experienced during the healing process; photographing can provide objective evidence that scars are improving over time.
Surgical Keloid Scar Removal
Plastic surgery scar removal procedures can reduce the size and visibility of keloid or hypertrophic scars, making them less noticeable. The scar is then excised from the piercing site before suturing is performed to close it back up again. For optimal results, many surgical scar treatments require multiple sessions or a combination of techniques to achieve the desired outcome.
Belly button piercings are an increasingly popular way to express oneself, yet they may lead to complications like excessive scar tissue and keloid formation. To minimize such risks, take great care with aftercare instructions and ensure proper healing after each piercing procedure.
Conclusion
Belly button piercing scars can be frustrating, but the good news is that several effective treatment options are available. With the right combination of treatments and professional care, you can reduce the appearance of your belly button scar and restore a more natural-looking skin.
Transform Your Confidence with Our Body Procedures
Jim Brantner, M.D. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery knows that feeling good in your own skin is more than just fixing scars. We offer a comprehensive range of body contouring and skin procedures designed to help you look and feel your absolute best. Dr. Brantner has decades of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and our 5-star Google reviews speak for themselves. Take the next step toward renewed confidence – schedule your consultation today.