Quick Answer: In most cases, metal dermal piercings should be removed before surgery, particularly when electrocautery will be used. If a piercing cannot be removed normally, the surgeon may be able to remove it after anesthesia or take other precautions. Patients should tell their surgeon about all dermal piercings before their procedure.
One thing we’re seeing a lot more of recently at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics are questions regarding dermal implants and piercings, such as lip, tongue, and nipple rings. This is not surprising, given how popular these accessories are becoming, especially among younger patients.
However, there is a surprising lack of information concerning how these piercings can affect medical procedures such as MRIs and, of course, cosmetic surgery.
During a recent “Ask Dr. Pane” special broadcast on Instagram Live, a viewer asked the question, “What if you have a dermal piercing and it won’t come out?” Dr. Thomas Pane, our founder and Chief Medical Officer, was happy to address this question because it is becoming a more popular point of concern, and so it deserves some extra attention.
Let’s see what Dr. Pane had to say!
One thing we’re seeing a lot more of recently at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics are questions regarding dermal implants and piercings, such as lip, tongue, and nipple rings. This is not surprising, given how popular these accessories are becoming, especially among younger patients. However, there is a surprising lack of information concerning how these piercings can affect medical procedures such as MRIs and of course, cosmetic surgery.
During a recent “Ask Dr. Pane” special broadcast on Instagram Live, a viewer asked the question, “What if you have a dermal piercing and it won’t come out?” Dr. Thomas Pane, our founder and Chief Medical Officer, was happy to address this question because it is becoming a more popular point of concern, and so it deserves some extra attention. Let’s see what Dr. Pane had to say!
Ask Dr. Pane: What If You Have A Dermal Piercing And it Won’t Come Out?
Surgery for Removal of Dermal Piercing
Surgery for removal of a dermal piercing is not always necessary. Some dermal piercings can be removed relatively easily, while others may be more difficult depending on how the anchor was placed, how deeply it sits beneath the skin, the amount of surrounding tissue, and where it is located.
If a dermal piercing cannot be removed before an upcoming operation, the best step is to tell your surgeon rather than trying to force it out immediately before surgery. Your surgeon can determine whether the piercing needs to be removed for the planned procedure and, if so, whether removal can be handled before surgery or once you are under anesthesia.
Can a Dermal Piercing Be Removed During Surgery?
Dr. Pane explains that removal itself is often manageable during surgery:
“If someone wants a piercing removed, once you’re under anesthesia, I can almost always remove it. That’s not a problem.”
However, the ease of removal is only one consideration, Dr. Pane adds.
Why Can Metal Piercings Be a Concern During Surgery?
“The reason they don’t want metal objects in the body is if they’re doing surgeries involving things like electrocautery, which is the pencil we use to coagulate the bleeders and blood vessels after surgery, the concern is that the current will return to that piece of metal and burn the skin around it.”
Dr. Pane says, “I have personally never had a patient get burned that way, but the concern is electricity returning through the metal and so we want to remove it for that reason if you can. If it’s a liposuction procedure or another procedure where electrocautery is not needed, it really doesn’t matter.”
What If the Piercing Cannot Be Removed Before Surgery?
“If you absolutely cannot get it out, what they usually do is tape over it with a little piece of plastic [because plastic is an insulator] and that prevents the current from coming back.”
Again, he reiterates he’s never personally seen anyone burned in that way, “but if you were to look through the medical journals, somehow, somewhere at some point this has happened to SOMEONE, which is why that rule exists.”
Dr. Pane stresses that whether the rule emerged as a result of an overabundance of caution or due to something unfortunate happening which was documented in the medical journals, it is always better to err on the side of caution and patient safety.
To this end, he notes, “If you’re having a procedure and you want your piercings removed, mention it and we’ll put it on the consent form. Under anesthesia, there’s almost nothing I can’t get out.”
Do You Have to Get a Dermal Surgically Removed?
A dermal piercing does not always have to be surgically removed. Whether a procedure is needed can depend on how the piercing was placed, how firmly the anchor is positioned under the skin, its location, and the amount of tissue around it.
If you are asking because you have an upcoming cosmetic procedure, the need for removal may also depend on the surgery itself. As Dr. Pane explains, some procedures involve electrocautery and others do not, so the concern may be different depending on what is being performed.
Dr. Pane also notes that removal may be possible once a patient is under anesthesia:
“If someone wants a piercing removed, once you’re under anesthesia, I can almost always remove it. That’s not a problem.”
The important point is that patients should not assume a dermal piercing automatically requires surgical removal before their cosmetic procedure. Instead, tell your surgeon about the piercing during your consultation or preoperative visit. Your surgeon can determine whether it needs to be removed before surgery, during the procedure, or whether another approach may be appropriate.
For patients who have piercings, it is a very good idea to ask the person or shop who did the piercing or implant what material it’s made out of. If you have a hypoallergenic plastic piercing, this likely won’t be an issue anyway. However, piercings made of steel, aluminum or medical-grade titanium may conduct electricity more readily and thus should be removed if at all possible.
Can I Get a Piercing Before Surgery?
If you are planning cosmetic surgery, it is generally best to avoid getting a new piercing shortly before your procedure if possible, particularly if the piercing would be in or near the area being operated on.
A new piercing creates another area that needs to heal. If it is placed close to the surgical site, it may interfere with the healing process or complicate postoperative care. The appropriate timing can also depend on the type of cosmetic procedure being performed and where the piercing is located.
We also recommend you not get a piercing before cosmetic surgery if you can possibly avoid it, and to wait at least six weeks postop before getting one. This is especially true if you’re planning to get the piercing in or near the areas which were operated on, as it can jeopardize the outcomes of both the piercing and the surgery and lead to complications, such as getting a nipple ring shortly after a breast implant procedure.
If you are considering a new piercing before or after cosmetic surgery, ask your surgeon when it is appropriate based on your procedure and healing progress.
Regardless of whether you have piercings and dermal implants or not, following aftercare protocols and recommendations from the surgeon and the surgical staff can greatly enhance your results and minimize the risk of complications. Some of these things include avoiding direct sunlight on the healing areas, taking prescribed medications in accordance with the labeling, and staying away from habitual behaviors such as excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
You should also contact us immediately if you notice anything unusual in the area worked on after your procedure, as this could be an indication of a complication that needs to be addressed. Of course, sometimes these are false alarms, but we’d still rather err on the side of caution and deal with something that turns out to be nothing rather than find out later that nothing was “something” serious!
Can You Take Out a Dermal Piercing and Put It Back In?
A dermal piercing is different from conventional jewelry because the anchor sits beneath the skin. Once the piercing is removed, the opening may begin to heal, so it may not be possible to simply take the piercing out and put the same one back in later.
If you are thinking about removing a dermal piercing because of an upcoming cosmetic procedure, talk with your surgeon before having it removed. Your surgeon can tell you whether removal is necessary for the procedure.
If you want to have the piercing again after surgery, you may also want to speak with an experienced professional piercer about whether the area will need to heal before a new dermal piercing can be placed.
If the piercing is in or near the area where surgery was performed, follow your surgeon’s recommendations about when it is safe to have the area pierced again.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have a dermal piercing and are planning cosmetic surgery, mention it during your consultation so Dr. Pane can evaluate the location of the piercing, the procedure you are considering, and whether removal may be necessary.
Patients preparing for cosmetic surgery can schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeon Palm Beach Gardens to discuss their goals, existing piercings, and any preoperative instructions that may apply to their procedure.
If you have a question about any aspect of cosmetic surgery, Dr. Pane and the staff of Atlantic Coast Aesthetics are always happy to “talk shop” with prospective patients. Simply follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn; call us at (561) 422-4116, or email us through our Contact page. Your question might even be selected as the focus of an upcoming Ask Dr. Pane segment, allowing us to inform and educate others who share your concerns, questions, and interests while giving you the factual information you need to make the right choices about your cosmetic surgery journey. Remember, at ACA we believe the only bad question is the one you DON’T ask!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take out a dermal piercing and put it back in?
A dermal piercing usually cannot be removed and reinserted as easily as conventional jewelry because its anchor sits beneath the skin. Once removed, the area may begin to heal. If you want the piercing again after surgery, ask your surgeon and an experienced piercer about the appropriate timing.
Do you have to get a dermal surgically removed?
Not always. Whether a dermal piercing needs a procedure for removal depends on how it was placed, its depth, location, and surrounding tissue. If removal is related to an upcoming surgery, your surgeon can determine whether it should be removed before or during the procedure.
Can I get a piercing before surgery?
It is generally better to avoid getting a new piercing shortly before cosmetic surgery, especially in or near the area being operated on. Ask your surgeon about timing so the piercing does not interfere with your procedure or healing.
What if my dermal piercing won’t come out before surgery?
Tell your surgeon and surgical team rather than forcing it out yourself. Depending on the procedure, the piercing may be removable once you are under anesthesia, or your surgical team may determine another appropriate way to manage it.cing immediately before cosmetic surgery, particularly in or near the area being operated on. Discuss the timing with your surgeon so both the surgical area and the piercing have appropriate time to heal.
