Khaberni - Individuals who underwent ear or nose piercings in the UAE have faced significant health complications such as severe infections, tissue damage, and tearing of the earlobe due to incorrect piercing.
While some required long-term treatment or surgical repair, other cases progressed to partial cartilage loss or permanent deformity in the shape of the ear.
Doctors and specialists have warned about the increasing popularity of a practice known as «piercing», emphasizing the importance of treating it as both a medical and cosmetic procedure rather than just a passing fad. They stress the importance of moderation and not exaggerating the number of piercings, to avoid turning decoration into chronic skin problems and permanent deformations.
They mentioned that ear and nose piercing is a popular trend among certain groups, often driven by fashion or self-expression, highlighting that the danger does not lie in the piercing itself but in its placement and the way it is performed, insisting on its execution exclusively in medical centers or licensed and sterilized places under the supervision of specialists.
They further added that the psychological aspect of opting for ear, nose, or other body piercings generally stems from various motivations, including influence by foreign cultures and exotic traditions, curiosity, the desire to attract attention, or imitation of others.
Specifically, ENT consultant Dr. Abdelrazzaq Jeratli noted a significant increase in ear and nose piercings lately, especially among women and the youth, considering it a form of fashion and self-expression, yet not without health risks if done improperly.
He warned against performing the procedure in unlicensed places or without sufficient sterilization, affirming that «such procedures should strictly be performed in licensed areas, preferably within hospitals or medical clinics and under the guidance of specialists, as unmedical or unsterilized piercings can lead to infections, bleeding, allergic reactions, or deep infections that might be difficult to treat.
He indicated that «infections resulting from piercing can extend to the cartilage or deep tissues, and in Nasal piercing, it may reach the sinuses », noting that «medical intervention becomes urgent at the appearance of severe pain, visible swelling, extended redness, pus discharge, high temperature, or any changes in the shape of the ear or nose».
He recommended delaying cartilage piercing in children and adolescents, «as the cartilage at this age is still developing, and any infection can affect its final shape, plus the lack of adherence to care and hygiene increases the risk of infection».
He explained that he received cases with severe complications due to piercing, including severe cartilaginous infections that evolved into abscesses requiring surgical intervention, and in other cases, leading to cartilage loss or permanent deformity of the ear, also cases forming hypertrophic scars or keloids, often among individuals with a genetic predisposition.
Cosmetic medicine specialist, Dr. Shahrazad Motjaba Naeini, indicated that ear and nose piercing has become increasingly common as a form of self-expression, especially among younger generations, pointing out that «the issue does not lie in the piercing itself, but in how it is done, its location, and the party performing it».
She explained that «the most common cosmetic complications from unsafe piercing or delayed infections include hypertrophic scars and keloids, earlobe elongation or tearing, increased skin thickness and color changes around the piercing site, and asymmetry in the shape of the ear or nose, as well as cartilage damage caused by chronic infections», emphasizing that «such issues can evidently affect appearance and self-confidence».
She added that «certain categories are advised to avoid piercing or exercise extreme caution, including individuals with a personal or family history of keloids, uncontrolled diabetes patients, those with weak immune systems, children, and teenagers, especially when piercing the cartilage, in addition to those with active skin diseases or infections».
She revealed encountering frequently cases suffering substantial complications due to improper piercing, such as forming keloids, infections leading to tissue damage, and tearing of the earlobe resulting from wearing heavy earrings, noting that some of these cases required long-term treatment or referral for surgical repair.
She stressed the importance of treating piercing as a medical and cosmetic procedure, not just a passing trend, emphasizing proper health assessment, adherence to sterilization, and early intervention when problems arise as fundamental to avoiding permanent scars or deformations and maintaining safe and ideal cosmetic results.
Dermatology professor and consultant, Dr. Anwar Al-Hammadi, expressed that beautification is a legitimate right for women, and piercing the ear within reasonable limits is a socially accepted act, but problems begin when exaggeration shifts piercing to a blind imitation of trends and "trends", which can negatively reflect on both appearance and skin health.
He warned that excessive piercings, especially in the ear, increase the risk of bacterial infections accompanied by redness, pain, or pus discharge, in addition to the possibility of allergies to used metals, noting that some individuals might react even to gold if its purity is below 21.
He pointed out that one of the most severe long-term skin complications is the formation of a keloid scar, a thick scar resulting from an excessive response of the body, often accompanied by itching, pain, and unsightly appearance.
He noted that those with darker skin, as well as individuals with a family history of susceptibility, are more prone to this type of scars, especially with repeated or multiple piercing sites.
Al-Hammadi added that early-stage keloid treatment primarily relies on periodic local cortisone injections, which help flatten the scar and reduce itching and pain, explaining that «surgical removal is generally not preferred in most cases as it may lead to a larger recurrence of keloids, whereas laser treatment can be considered as a supplementary therapy in early stages».
He emphasized the importance of moderation and avoiding exaggeration in the number of piercings, and avoiding blind imitation, as excessive piercing might transform a simple beauty act into a chronic skin problem.
Psychological specialist, Hessa Al-Reais, explained that the inclination for piercing ears, noses, or other body parts, from a psychological perspective, is linked to various motives, most notably the influence of foreign cultures and alien traditions, curiosity, the desire to attract attention or imitate others, especially among the youth. She indicated that sometimes, this behavior may relate to lack of self-confidence or the need for social acceptance, with motivations varying according to each individual's psychological and social background.
She added that excessive inclination towards «piercing» might reflect certain psychological indicators in some cases, such as low self-esteem or influence by social pressure and social media. She explained that this behavior might accompany conflicting internal feelings, combining the desire to appear and fear of society's views or parental rejection, generating tension and psychological discomfort.
She noted that adolescence is particularly sensitive in this context, as it is associated with identity search, self-affirmation, and a strong influence by peers and social media content. She warned that making aesthetic decisions without full awareness of the consequences might later lead to regret, anxiety, or decreased self-confidence if the behavior does not receive the expected social or familial acceptance, emphasizing that family guidance and psychological awareness are essential for protecting this group.
She stressed the importance of careful consideration before proceeding with this procedure, urging reflection on the real motivations behind it, whether it originates from personal conviction or social pressure or impulsive behavior, and the importance of assessing its long-term consequences.
