Can piercings be problematic for your skin?

Cosmetic body piercing has become increasingly popular in recent years. As a result, so has the associated list of documented risks and complications. These are mostly dermatological ones and some of them can lead to long term issues. At NBLDC, we love the unique and creative expression of who you are – but only when it’s safe, and doesn’t come with life-long regret. 

If you’re thinking about getting a piercing (or have recently had one), this article is for you. It explains the common skin-related risks and complications, who may need to avoid piercings, and when you should seek medical advice. You’ll learn how to keep your piercing safe and reduce the chance of long-term issues.

Who might need to avoid piercings?

Piercings may not be suitable if you have:

• Sensitive skin or allergies, including reactions to metals (such as nickel), latex, or cleaning products
• Chronic or inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, or an active skin infection
• A tendency to scar poorly, including a personal or family history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring
• Medical conditions that affect healing, including poorly controlled diabetes, immune suppression, bleeding disorders, smoking, or poor nutrition
• Oral health or heart conditions that increase risk with oral piercings (e.g. gum disease, dental issues, heart valve disease)
• Breastfeeding, if considering nipple piercings

For people already managing dermatological concerns, for example rosacea or facial veins, we often recommend discussing piercings with your dermatologist first.

What complications can occur after a piercing?

Even if you’re not in one of the groups above, it’s important to understand the potential complications.

These can include:

• Allergic contact dermatitis from the metalware, especially nickel or from the cleaning solutions used
• Infection: any break in skin integrity can expose a person to local infection such as cellulitis, abscess formation as well as systemic infection
• Bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis or HIV can be transmitted if piercing techniques are not adequately sterile
• Keloid or hypertrophic scar formation: these are more likely if there are post procedural complications or delayed wound healing
• Trauma to local structures eg oral piercings causing chipping of teeth, nipple piercings causing breast feeding issues
• Problems with medical imaging eg obscuring an Xray or CT. Depending on metal composition, some piercing may be moved or pulled out by magnetic force during an MRI
• Any piercing which could conduct electricity must be removed for surgery as electrical burns can occur with electrocautery
• Piercing guns should be avoided for cartilaginous piercings because their additional blunt trauma increases the risk of infection
• Chronic foreign body reaction

Did you know that not all skin (or anatomy) responds the same way to piercing? Some locations are more prone to complications:

• Up to one third of ear piercings become infected
• High ear piercings that involve the cartilage are associated with higher incidences of perichondritis and abscess formation and usually require aggressive therapy early in the infection
• Consequent possible ear deformity is unpredictable and may cause permanent deformity such as cauliflower ear
• Navel piercings have a high infection risk due to their prolonged healing time, which can take up to nine months

When should you seek medical advice?

If you’ve recently had a piercing and something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Increasing pain, redness, swelling, fever, chills, or thick yellow or green discharge are all signs you should seek medical advice.

Importantly, don’t remove the jewellery unless a doctor advises you to do so, as this can sometimes worsen infection by trapping bacteria under the skin.

Piercings can be a form of self-expression, but your skin has to live with the consequences. When in doubt, getting advice early can prevent long-term issues and help keep your skin healthy.