6 months post op, what can be done to treat persistent bruising on cheek after upper facelift? (photo)

Question

I had a upper face lift 6 mo ago under local anesthesia. the left eye was pulled tight during the procedure, so he went back in to lessen the pull. That side of my cheek is now brownish in color, and has not responderd to 4 broadband light treatments. He also injected a steroid 2 months after to help with bruising, which resulted in atrophy in that cheek, which he used a filler to correct. It is still bumpy. he wants to use fractionated laser Next. Are there any other options?

Daniel A. Barker, MD · Answer

hemosiderin staining can happen after traumatic events which include surgery. i would stay away from steroids as this will not help. hydroquinone can sometimes help as can q-switched lasers. this can be permanent sometimes but if from the surgery it should go away with time. I would lean towards using hydoquinone and giving it time to heal further.

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

The treatments you have had, are all good. The laser treatment will also be helpful. I would add mild heat and massage twice daily and a bleaching cream like hydroquinone. It takes up to a year to heal, so more changes will occur over this time.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

There is a skin cream specifically made to fade dark spots. It’s called hydroquinone and I think it’s worth trying

Gurkan Kayabasoglu, MD · Answer

Hello. First of all, it is not very healthy to enter here to have your eyes pulled. This is a bruising area. Therefore, I could not understand the logic of the operation. I wouldn't do it that way.

You can try laser for your skin, then support it with PRP and stem cells.

For facial surgeries you can always contact with my assistant Dila with this number +90 533 015 95 95 via WhatsApp.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

It would be helpful to see pictures from before and along the way if you have them. Regular bruising is simply the visualization of pigments that form as hemoglobin is converted to the end product of the breakdown of red blood cells which is bile. This transformation typically does not last that long. The time frame depends on how much blood is left in the tissues. If discoloration persists then it may not be the intermediaries in the hemoglobin breakdown process but rather a different mechanism like hemosiderin deposits which is the staining of tissues from the iron in hemoglobin. 
Usually the best course of action is to give it time. Attempted intervention can have undesirable side effects. Anti inflammatory steroid injections are not typically indicated to treat postoperative discoloration. 
Consider consulting with a board certified dermatologist in your community. Bring pictures if you or your provider has them. 
Mats Hagström MD

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6 months post op, what can be done to treat persistent bruising on cheek after upper facelift? (photo)

Answers (5)

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