Facelift: Q&A

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What Treatments Are Best for Hyperpigmentation Under Eyes Post Facelift?

I am almost four months post-op and the dark areas still very visible. How can I tell if they are bruise stains or dark pigmentation? Would they be treated differently? Hydraquinone cream just irritates the area. Surgeon suggested CO2 Laser treatment. Can it make the problem worse? I've read some scary things about laser treatment side effects which can include even more hyperpigmentation. I'm very depressed. Is there a chance they will go away in a couple of months on their own?

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by springup in Staten Island, NY

Doctor Answers (14)
Community Comments (2)

Hyperpigmentation under eyes after facelift

You are right that laser treatment can cause problems also. Hydroquinone products can sometimes be helpful, but have to be used carefully to prevent lightening of surrounding skin.

Did you have eyelid surgery with your facelift?

It is improbable that your dark circles are related to pigment associated in some way with your surgery. Hydroquinone or any other skin bleacher is unlikely to be of any benefit except to the people filling your prescription. You have not provide any photographs and generally a personal examination is needed to truly understand your issues. However, most dark circles of the lower eyelid have nothing to do with extra pigment and everything to how thin the lower eyelid skin... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

8 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Dark Circles under eyes following a facelift

It is difficult to give you a clear answer as to what may be causing the darkness around your eyes without a picture. Sometimes bruising following a facelift can stimulate the pigment producing cells to make a bit more pigment. It would be unusual to see this with a facelift in the lower eyelids unless other procedures were involved or the facelift involved a composite lift or some kind of technique around the eye. This can be helped to resolve quicker... more

James C. Marotta, MD

9 reviews

Long Island Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.marottamd.com

Hyperpigmentation can be really stubborn.

Well I deal with this issue frequently, I have performed over a thousand resurfacings at the same time that I have done my face lifts. I believe in the resurfacing and I have battled some very stubborn Hyperpigmentation. Certain ethnicity's need to be careful with deep laser resurfacing. Orientals, Mediterraneans, and Afro-Americans should be cautious. With that said I currently use a skin lightener that is fairly unusual, it contains Kojic Acid, abutting, and bear berry. We have it... more

Hyperpigmentation After Eyelid Surgery

Early hyperpigmentation of the lower eyes is common after surgery due to the bruising from the facelift or eyelid surgery. It usually subsides in 7-10 days. If it persists one can consider using hydroquinone treatment in this area until it is gone completely.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

10 reviews

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Hyperpigmentation Under Eyes Post Facelift

Although it is hard to tell without seeing your pictures what you are describing is possibly hemosiderin staining and will not respond to bleaching agents or CO2 laser. Use of a Q switch laser is your best bet.

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Face Lift

I would try a new bleach cream called elure, or hydroquinone in 2% strength by La Roche. I have yet to see someone sensitive to it. Just apply a bit with a Q-tip and a thin film once a day will help. You can also consider Kojic acid 2% and evaluate that. Also, you should be using a SPF 30 or more under your eyes.

Post-Op Hyperpigmentation

This doesn’t typically happen, but there are some lasers that can be effective for this purpose and getting rid of the hyperpigmentation you are experiencing.

Hyperpigmentation treatment results and options after facelift

Four months and hyperpigmentation, you can do intense pulse light to get some of the deeper pigmentation. Warmth and cold compresses alternating can be of some assistance. Exercise will get your blood flow going and possibly help this situation. Other options instead of laser resurfacing include, topical lightening creams, serial chemical peels. It depends on the level of pigmentation. If it is deeper you need to do intense pulse light or other pigment attacking lasers. For more... more

Philip Young, MD

6 reviews

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dark areas in skin after Face Lift

The dark areas, or stains in the skin, after a Face Lift can be caused by the hemosiderin pigment in red cells. Bleeding into the tissues, during any surgery, leaves deposits of red cells. When these red cells are removed, by the body, they burst releasing hemosiderin pigment that can stain the skin. While these stains can, in rare instances, can be permanent most resolve (last longer in darker pigmented skin) within a year. The stains are within the dermis,... more

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Comments (2)

DashedHopes 14 Mar 2013

My skin is prone to hyperpigmentation and after my mid face lift 4 months ago I had unsightly swollen moon shaped crescent discolorations on the top of my cheeks. I'm not aware of anything which can effectively reduce, accelerate, or eradicate them (as I've tried most of the remedies mention on the forums) but staying out of the sun is a MUST as it will only make things worse! Drinking copious amount of water to flush the toxins in your body will help too and patience. You'll need plenty of that .....

DashedHopes 14 Mar 2013

Forgot to add - it took about 4.5 months for the discolorations to become imperceptible and with foundation it isn't noticeable. I use a good sunscreen but also avoid direct sunlight.

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