7 weeks post op Rhinoplasty, I have dark pigmentation around my eyes. Is this normal? (photo)

Question

Hello, 7 week ago i had rhynoplasty septoplasty and right after the surgery i got small bruises around my eyes. 3 weeks later the bruises dissapeared but these dark spots seems to remain on that exact area and doesnt seem to fade away so easily. I am afraid that its gonna stay permanently. What do you think what it might be and how to treat it ?

Daniel E. Rousso, MD · Answer

Dark Circles under eyesafter a rhinoplasty
Dark circles may benoticeable after a rhinoplasty for a number of reasons. The most commoncause for bruising after a rhinoplasty isfrom pigment deposited into the skin after the bruising has subsided. Bruising after a rhinoplasty can be caused by many factors. Thiscan depend on the patient's own tendency to be an easy bruiser, medications orsupplements the patient took preoperatively, the nature of the patient's bonestructure, the techniques that the surgeon uses during the surgery, the type ofanesthetic that is used, the duration of the surgery and the aftercare. Typically, patients that are easy bruisers, that have thicker bones thatrequire more aggressive surgery, that take a long time during surgery and don'trest adequately after the procedure will have more bruising. Bruising after arhinoplasty is common but usually goes away within a week or two. As thebruising subsides, the pigment from the degrading red blood cells can persistin the skin for many weeks in some patients. This usually subsides as thedead skin cells carrying this pigment slough off over time. Anothercommon cause for the dark circles after a rhinoplasty may be from the swellingof the mucous membranes in the nose after the procedure. This can causeobstruction of the venous blood flow to the lining of the nose and sinuses andmay manifest as a purplish-blue color under the eyes. This is especiallynoticeable in patients that have an underlying allergy problem that may beexacerbated by the rhinoplasty procedure. Treatment of the allergies withnasal steroids and antihistamines can improve this problem. If yourproblem is related to hyperpigmentation, then a combination of exfoliants andbleaching agents may be helpful. This isusually not a permanent problem, and improves with time.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Darkness around the eyes from bruising after a rhinoplasty is not uncommon.  This should not be permanent and will get better on its own.  Other than camouflage make up there is really nothing that you can do to speed up the process

7 weeks post op Rhinoplasty, I have dark pigmentation around my eyes. Is this normal? (photo)

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7 weeks post op Rhinoplasty, I have dark pigmentation around my eyes. Is this normal? (photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.