Can I still become a professional programmer while having a piercing scar?

I'm not a programmer, but a friend of mine is. According to him, at least where he works, there isn't much of a dress code on a typical work day. For them, as long as he gets his job done, they don't really care how he dresses. However, sometimes he has to meet some clients and/or have meetings, in which cases he dresses more professionally.

But then again, it depends on what type of company you're working on. A lot of the large tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Apple, etc have very lax dress codes. And on the contrary, there are companies that have strict dress/appearance codes.

Unless you work in a customer service position, it wont matter. That being said, if going through the community college route for IT...you wont be working for Apple. More likely, IT helpdesk for a local company, school, etc.

Do you think this would be an acceptable appearance for the IT person at a local elementary school?

Well you've got a couple of problems. You have to get by the interview. Will they like it?? Old timers probably not. Younger managers - maybe. When you're an IT professional, you're supposed to look and act the part.

I have a comp sci degree (and a job with mainframes), and I have never seen a lip piercing @ work.

At only 18 years old, you aren't mature enough to make decisions that will affect your entire life. Although piercings and tattoos are popular now, what about 10 years from now, 20 years from now, or 30 years from now?

Absolutely. I live in a high-tech incubator city and see lots of tats and piercings. I think both have become mainstream enough that it won't affect your choices and chances in your chosen field. They are mainstream enough that they should affect your admissibility to the school of your choice. The best high tech school where I live are full of tats and pierced people -and the university across the street is literally the MIT of Canada.

Even if it may seem that you have years and so much of time to apply for your career you never know what's coming. Yes, it is necessary to value your own wishes however practically you need to consider what will be the effects of your decision after 5/6 years in your life.

trust me you can still become a programmer with the piercings and when youre going for an interview just be weary bc Ik it sucks but small things such as tattoos and piercings can negatively effect you from getting a job but then again from a different point of you i feel like any logical person should understand they're gonna hire you for your skills nit ur looks. sorry if this didnt really answer ur q