An impact from a blunt object like a bullet would absolutely show damage, and clipping an ear would have to take a piece off.
If it was clipped by a sharp piece of broken glass or plastic it might, because cuts from sharp objects can bleed a lot but be pressed together and heal pretty well. My wife cut her finger on broken glass last week and it bled like crazy at first, but with a little pressure and a bandage for a couple of days you could barely tell it ever happened.
Trump was nicked by some shrapnel and played it up as being hit by the bullet for his base.
He got nicked by some shrapnel that did so little damage that you couldn’t even tell it ever happened when his ear diaper came off.