Fat Transfer Q&A
52%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
136 Reviews
Fat Transferbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Fat Transfer Cost: $3,950

Learn about Fat Transfer

1,090 people and 473 doctors are talking about Fat Transfer

Get Free Email Updates

Hydroquinone Before and After Fat Grafting

asked 2 years ago by CaseyDrew in Sweden
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 1,327 times
Tags: eyelids, under eyes, hollow, hydroquinone

I've been using hydroquinone under my eyelids to make them brighter. However, I'm considering to do a fat grafting to them as well for the hollowness. For how long before the surgery should one stop hydroquinone and when can one start using it again?

7 answers to Hydroquinone Before and After Fat Grafting

+2

Hydroquinone and fat grafting

Hydroquinone is a skin bleaching agent. As such it has really nothing to do with the fat grafting procedure you are having to the lower lids. However, I would avoid rubbing the lower lids for 7-10 days to not disturb the fat as the blood vessels try to re-attach and help the fat survive. Motion is known to decrease graft "take."
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hydroquinone before and after fat grafting

  If you have darker skin and seem to tan easily it may not be a bad idea to be on a hydroquinone (a skin lightening cream) before AND after fat injection to help reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

seattleface.com

+1

Hydroquinone for lower eyelids

Depending on how long you have used the hydroquinone, you might still develop an irritant dermatitis if you have not used it for more than a month. Some people who try it for a couple of weeks start to get stinging and irritation, redness and peeling. This can create the paradox of darkening of the skin from inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Provided that you have used it for a while without any problems, than you can continue the treatment up to a week before. There are some forms of... more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Hydroquinone

 Hydroquinone is a great cream for reducing melanin pigment in the skin and evening out the tone.  It should have no effect on your planned fat grafting procedure.  I see no reason to discontinue it for the surgery.  Good luck.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Hydroquinone and eyelid surgery

Generally, there should be little effect of the HQ on the deeper subcutaneous tissues. However, as Dr. Rand has mentioned, the rubbing used during the application may interfere with the procedure. Therefore discontinuing the prduct for 1 week prior and 2 weeks after is a reasonable approach.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stopping hydroquinone is surgeon dependent around fat grafting

As with all medications and surgery, I would consult that surgeon performing your fat transfer for his/her recommendations. As Dr. Rand points out, hydroquinone is a topical agent and should not interfere with fat grafting surgery. I would also recommend stopping for about a week to two weeks after surgery only because massage to the transplanted area can decrease the take rate of the fat.
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin care after fat grafting

Fat transfer to add facial volume and reduce hollowness is a great option for cosmetic patients. One must follow the plastic surgeon's pre and post procedure guidelines to help promote the best results with fat grafting. Usually, skin care products should be discontinued one day prior and avoided immediately following fat injections. Skin care products, such as hydroquinone, generally may be resumed after one week following the fat transfer procedure. Speak with your fat transfer surgeon to... more
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question