Darkened Skin After Restylane?

Question

i had restylane injected under my eye area 7 months ago.the results are still pleasing;however, after all this time i still have two bean shaped brown spots on my cheekbones right where the needle entered,only concealer covers them. i used arnica gel right after the procedure and for the first 5 days when i was swollen, so i'm wondering if that might have caused it? i'm planning on getting the procedure redone soon, but scared of the skin darkening.was it the arnica?how can i get rid of them?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

These darkened areas, if the result of bruising or heme pigments staining the skin, typically improve with time.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

Without viewing photographs of the areas you are referring to, it is very difficult to answer your question. You should consider posting pictures for better assessment and immediately follow up with your provider if you have complications post-treatment.

Robert F. Centeno, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The area around the eyes is very prone to dark circles as a result of the complex array of veins and thin nature of the skin and soft tissues.  The filler helps to camouflage aging by restoring volume and hiding herniated fat.  Unfortunately, there are some risks.  Bruising due to injury is certainly possbile due to the blood vessels mentioned.  This usually resolves in a couple of weeks.  If the bruising was extensive, either blood breakdown products or extensive inflammation can darken the skin...this is more long lasting and can be permanent if not treated appropriately.  Broad band light and skin lightening treaments can help this problem.  Arnica only potentially helps with early bruising.  The other possibility is that the filler is too superficial causing the Tyndall effect.  It is an optical illusion caused by the filler.  It sounds llike these "bean" shaped areas may be deposits of filler causing this effect.  This can be treated by melting it with hyaluronidase and re-injecting at a deeper level.  Best wishes!

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Anda.  If you are olive or black skin, it's possible that the trauma left some darkening or hyperpigmentation.  This is usually remedied with hydroquinone, but it's best to ask your injector what he/she thinks about treatment.  There is a more serious condition called hemosidering staining which is often associated with severe bruising in darker skinned patients.  This is a possibility as well and we use q-switched lasers to treat that issue.  Good luck.

Blue Medi Spa - Sherman Oaks - Account Suspended · Answer

It is difficult to say without pictures, but it sounds as if you have what's called hemosiderin staining from the bruising following the injection.  This can be more prominent in some patients depending on factors such as your skin type.  The good news is for most this will fade away with time.  
I would recommend having a follow up with the physician who did your injections.  Best of luck!

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Darkened Skin After Restylane?

Answers (7)

Answer: Dark Marks after Restylane

Answer: Dark Marks after Restylane

Answer: Darkened Skin After Restylane

Answer: Darkened Skin After Restylane

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Everything you need to know about Restylane

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