How Long Will It Take to Heal from Hemosiderin Staining Resulting from Juvederm Injection to the Under Eye Area? (photo)

Hemosiderin staining refers to brownish discoloration near the skin's surface.  It occurs as a result of the breakdown of blood breakdown products and therefore usually occurs following surgery, injection of fillers, leg veins, trauma, etc.  The discoloration is caused by iron deposits.  Left on its own, hemosiderin staining resolves extremely slowly.  Topical creams and treatments are not of benefit in treating this condition.  Q-switched laser treatment (the same type of laser used to remove tattoos) typically produces excellent clearing of hemosiderin staining in 1-3 treatments.  There is little recovery time and the risk of treatment is low.

   If there is an additional product, degrade with the enzyme until it is gone or made less noticeable.  Then, reinject the area below that with Restylane.  If this truly a bruise remnant or hemosiderin deposit it should continue to improve.

Hi Alenka.  We have successfully treated patients with your issue before using q-switched lasers.  The treatment is akin to removing dark scars from trauma but the issue lies deeper because of the original vascular component (the bruising).  

We are also in Orange County, and we offer a free consultation.  

Everyone is different, so that is a difficult question to answer.  But it will fade over time from weeks to months.  The bigger issue is that you see the deep groove which my be casting a shadow and making it look darker than it actually is.  We I Juvederm is not the best product for tear troughs we have found.  You might consider having the area re-treated after you are sure all the previous product is removed using Restylane or Belotero. We have also had good results using a blunt cannula in that area which produces less risk of bruising.  

Thank you for your Q and the pics.Hemosiderin staining can be treated with Q switched lasers.BestDr. Karamanoukian#RealSelf100 Member

There are so many thoughts on causes, results, types of fillers for under eye hollows that it is hard to find a specific algorithm to follow. In my practice I prefer Restylane over Juvederm but honestly micro PRP fat grafts (following Coleman's techniques) seem to give better results. As for your specific case do the Q switched laser to help lighten the color changes. Than at 6 months think about micro fat PRP grafting. 

I'm sorry you were so bruised after fillers for the tear troughs.  This can almost be avoided 100% with using blunt cannulas.  The hemosiderin can be improved with a laser, but it's not easy in that area because of the proximity to the eye.  I would wait longer and see if the body can get rid of it.  The number one problem I get asked about on Realself is filler around the eye.  I would like to recommend that anyone who wants this area corrected go to someone that uses cannulas and has done a ton of these.  It is very routine in our office, probably 5 per day.

 Sorry to here about your adverse event. This is why it is so important to be off anti- platelet drugs BEFORE filler treatment like ASA, NSAIA’S, Plavix, etc. Your photo series clearly indicates some improvement. The resolution of hemosidern can take several months. The good news that laser ablation with a laser (532) can be quite effective. May I suggest you give it 3 to 4 months to resolve. Then, if still present consider a laser specialist. Best,

 

 

Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS