Skin discoloration after fat transfer

I had fat injections around my upper cheek area a year ago. Now, I have a greenish-grey discoloration under my skin on both sides of upper cheeks. Why did this happen? Is there anything that could treat or help it?

4 answers to “Skin discoloration after fat transfer”

A: Pigment

Robert M. Freund, MD

The colors you describe can be the result of pigment in the skin - treat with skin bleach(hydroquinone). It can be the result of iron (hemosiderin) in your skin as a breakdown product of blood from a bruise. It can be the result of thin skin showing the blood vessels under the skin. Go see your doctor.

A: The greenish grey may be due to hemosiderin deposits

Philip Young, MD

These could be iron deposits after bruising where the iron is left behind. Sometimes, mild heat and massage can help this as well as exercise or increasing the lymphatic drainage in this area. Sometimes, it can be due to prominent vessels that are residual after the procedure and the stimulation caused by the... more

A: Bluish areas following lipoinjection

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

It is difficult to determine what this could be from the description. It is probably consistent with fat necrosis and or resorbing hematoma but these usually tend to be firm. Fat necrosis will likely require some sort of an intervention such as aspiration, liposuction or excision. Resorbing hematomas tend to... more

A: Discoloration after fat transfer

Brent Moelleken, MD

You may want to have your doctor re-examine you to see if he or she can find a solution. It is possible there had been fat necrosis to the grafts, causing a bluish discoloration.  Usually the grafts would be very firm and unnatural feeling. Or there might be chronic bruising in the dermis itself, more... more

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