Discoloration after rhinoplasty. Can this be treated with lasers or is it permanent damage?

Question

I had a rhinoplasty 3 months ago. My surgeon was overly aggressive with my tissue at the sides of my nose and now my nostrils appear very red and purplish. Can this be treated with lasers or is this permanent damage. Some of it looks veiny. but most of it looks generally blotchy (no veins). Will this happen again if I get a revision to fill in the dents with septal cartilage?

Edwin F. Williams, III, MD · Answer

Great question! Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and spider veins from revascularization are relatively common after many types of facial procedures.  A laser that targets pigmented tissue should be effective for both of these issues

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Please review your discoloration with your medical team and board certified facial plastic surgeon. Keep in mind that you are only 3 months into a healing process which takes 12 months, and that you should continue to see improvement as you approach the final 12 month post op mark.
Best wishes,

R. Laurence Berkowitz, MD · Answer

Your observations are not too uncommon after rhinoplasty whether closed or open.  I would ask your surgeon for a referral to a dermatologist who possesses a tunable dye or vascular specific laser. Your surgeon will know the appropriate interval before treating.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Gioa,  I have been in practice for over thirty years performing multiple rhinoplasty procedures weekly and we do not see discoloration from rhinoplasty surgery. You do have over a hundred posts here on realself and you appear to be unhappy with your surgeon. So perhaps its time for a second opinion and a new surgeon and hopefully they can walk you through all of these concerns. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

Discoloration after rhinoplasty. Can this be treated with lasers or is it permanent damage?

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Answer: Discoloration after Rhinoplasty

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Discoloration after rhinoplasty. Can this be treated with lasers or is it permanent damage?

Answers (4)

Answer: Discoloration after Rhinoplasty

Answer: Discoloration after Rhinoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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