I did an open rhinoplasty two weeks ago and bruises are still visible and purple. Any suggestions? (photos)

Question

make-up is not concealing bruises at all. Is this normal? since I consulted with people who went through the same surgery and after 10 days bruises had almost gone completely. will bruises begin to fade by the third week?

Ritchie Younger, MD · Answer

30 years of experience performing rhinoplasty surgery has taught me that it is very difficult to predict who will, and who won't bruise following nose surgery.  Most patients who bruise following surgery have usually had some bony work during rhinoplasty (taking a hump off or narrowing bones) and all we as surgeons can do to minimize the possibility of bruising is to handle the nasal tissues in a very delicate fashion and use very small instruments when repositioning bones.  Despite the fact that I use  very thin and narrow instruments for reposition bones during nasal operations, about 25% of my patients may bruise. Judicious use of ice on the surgical area will minimize bruising  and  80% of the patients who bruise will no longer have evident discoloration at 2 weeks.   In my hands only about 5% of patients will bruise beyond 2 weeks, but 15 years ago I had one lovely young patient who had a bruise under one eye that lasted for 6 months !!  I suggest to those  patients who have bruised ( for prolonged periods ) that they go to the makeup counter of  a local department store to talk to the crackerjack makeup technicians who no doubt will be able to magically facilitate a transformation with easily applied camouflage makeup !  Eventually these bruises will go away....

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

This is normal. I would suggest giving it more time. If you are concerned you can contact your surgeon or a dermatologist and ask if they have any creams you can use.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Some people get bruising after rhinoplasty and some do not.  There can be a range of bruising for those who do get it.  Sometimes it will go away after a few days and sometimes it can take weeks.  Your bruising should go away completely but will take a little more time.  The lower part of the eyelid is always where it lasts the longest.

I did an open rhinoplasty two weeks ago and bruises are still visible and purple. Any suggestions? (photos)

Answers (3)

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