Swelling after Excel V treatment not getting better after 72 hours. Any suggestions?

Question

I had an Excel V treatment on my face and neck Monday afternoon -was told I may experience some swelling -72 hours later and I wake up with my eyes swollen shut. swelling is significant and has not gone down. Is this normal? Perhaps just a very aggressive treatment? Treatment was for general redness - i can get quite red at times, although I was not very red at the time of treatment. The treatment was not overly painful.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is common for vascular lasers and can be improved with oral diuretics, icing, antihistamins like Claritin and prednisone if its really bad.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Steven L. Greene, MD · Answer

This reaction is thought to be related to a release of Histamine in the skin similar to an insect bite.  I recommend taking a non sedating oral antihistamine in a double dose each day to reduce redness and swelling.   Icing the skin or blowing cool air onto the skin is helpful as well as sleeping on an extra pillow at night helps immensely at reducing redness and swelling
I hope this response is helpful.
Steve Greene MD

Swelling after Excel V treatment not getting better after 72 hours. Any suggestions?

Answers (2)