You Took Out Your Piercing – Will the Hole in Your Nose, Tongue or Nipple Close Completely?

Skin & Wellness Magazine

Sometimes a piercing that was part of our look for years no longer suits us. We take out the earring, look in the mirror and wait for the hole to disappear.

But the skin does not always return exactly to its previous state.

Some holes close almost completely, others leave a small dot, and some remain open even years after the jewelry is removed.

What determines whether the hole will close, and why is the result different between the nose, the tongue and the nipple?

What Happens to the Skin When You Get a Piercing?

Inserting a piercing creates a small channel through the skin or the tissue.

During healing, the body produces new tissue around the channel, and in many cases a lining of epithelial cells forms along the path the jewelry passes through.

When the earring is removed, the channel may contract and close, but sometimes scar tissue remains that prevents full closure.

The length of time the piercing was in place, its location, the diameter of the hole and the way it healed all affect the result.

What Happens After Removing a Nose Ring?

A nostril piercing passes through the skin and sometimes also through cartilage tissue, depending on its location.

If the nose ring was in place for only a short time, the hole may contract quickly, sometimes within hours or days.

In contrast, a long-standing piercing may leave a small dot or a delicate dimple, even after years without an earring.

Sometimes a scar remains that is darker or lighter than the skin around it.

If a bump formed following irritation or a raised scar, it will not necessarily disappear after the jewelry is removed.

And What Happens in the Tongue?

The tongue is different from the outer skin. It is rich in blood vessels and covered with a mucous membrane that usually heals relatively quickly.

After removing a tongue piercing, the channel may narrow quickly, even when the piercing existed for a long time.

However, there is no guarantee of full closure.

In some cases a small dimple or a local change in the texture of the tissue remains.

It is important to know that a tongue piercing can also cause damage to the teeth and gums. Removing the earring does not necessarily fix damage that has already been done.

And What Happens After Removing a Nipple Piercing?

The nipple area contains sensitive skin, connective tissue and milk ducts.

After removing the earring, the outer openings may gradually contract, but sometimes small marks remain on both sides of the nipple.

Changes in sensation, scars or local hardening of the tissue are also possible.

A nipple piercing does not necessarily cause harm to breastfeeding, but scars, infections or damage to the milk ducts may have an effect in some cases.

If pain, unusual discharge, swelling or a lump appear after removing the piercing, it is worth going for a check.

Can You Help the Hole Close?

The most important thing is to allow the tissue to heal without further irritation.

It is worth keeping up gentle cleanliness and avoiding repeated attempts to insert the earring to check whether the hole is still open.

There is no cream that guarantees closure of a long-standing piercing channel.

When a prominent hole or a scar remains that bothers aesthetically, a dermatologist or plastic surgeon can assess whether scar treatment or a small surgical correction may help.

Should You Remove a Piercing When There Is an Infection?

Not always.

If the area is swollen, red, painful or secreting pus, do not assume that removing the jewelry alone will solve the problem.

In some cases, closing of the opening during an infection may make it harder for the discharge to drain.

Therefore, in case of a suspected infection, especially in the nose cartilage, the tongue or the nipple, it is worth getting medical guidance before removing the jewelry.

Does the Skin Return to What It Was?

Sometimes almost completely, and sometimes a small mark remains.

Even when the hole looks closed from the outside, scar tissue may remain beneath it.

The skin knows how to repair itself impressively, but not always to completely erase what it went through.

And that is true not only for piercings, but for almost every injury that leaves a small memory behind in the tissue.

Skin & Wellness Magazine | OrOrgani

Disclaimer: The articles, recipes, and other content published on OrOrgani are provided for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Some recipes are based on traditional practices whose safety and effectiveness may not be scientifically established. Readers should consider individual sensitivities and health conditions and consult a qualified healthcare professional when appropriate. OrOrgani makes no guarantees regarding results. Nothing in this disclaimer limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Read the full Medical & Wellness Disclaimer →

© 2026 Nurit Rozenblat. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or distributed without the author's prior written permission.