Asymmetric nasal bridge thickness 6 months post nasal contusion w/ no structural damage - would an injection help? (Photos)

Question

Hi, 6 months ago I suffered what I believe was a nasal contusion when someones head hit my nose during sports. I had an instant nosebleed that lasted only about 2 minutes. I had no breathing issues. I press my nasal bridge side to side without pain. A day later, I noticed some inflammation and swelling, but there was no discoloration and none under my eyes. The swelling and mild tenderness were my only symptoms and began to subside after around 2 or 3 days post hit. 6 months later, 1 believe I have some residual thickness on one side of my nasal bridge. The thickness looks diffuse and feels slightly softer than the other, uninjured looking side of my nasal bridge. The thick part used to be a lot more red, but now retains some residual patchy, red tint occasionally. I think the height of the thickness has gone down in recent months, but it's hard to gauge the healing process. I believe the thickness is more localized than it once was but again it is hard to tell. I will include photos from stages of rfy healing up to 6 months. I am wondering if this thickness can continue to smooth back to my pre-hit nasal contour? Or if I should seek out an ENT for treatment, such as an injection, to speed up to catalyze the healing.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed description—it really helps paint a clear picture of what you’ve been experiencing. From what you’ve shared, this sounds most consistent with residual soft tissue swelling and post-traumatic changes rather than a structural issue, especially since you didn’t have persistent pain, bruising, or breathing problems at the time of injury.

At around 6 months out, it’s actually still possible for subtle swelling and tissue remodeling to continue improving. The nasal bridge, particularly the soft tissue overlying the bone, can take longer than expected to fully settle. The fact that you’ve already noticed some reduction in thickness and redness is a reassuring sign that your body is still gradually healing.

That said, what you’re feeling as a slightly softer, thicker area could represent:

Residual low-grade swelling or fibrosis (scar-like tissue)
Mild asymmetry in soft tissue healing
Post-inflammatory vascular changes, which can explain the intermittent redness

In terms of treatment options:

Observation (continued healing):
Given your progress so far, there’s still a reasonable chance this will continue to smooth out over time, although changes may be gradual.
Steroid injections:
In select cases, a very small amount of corticosteroid can be used to reduce localized inflammation or fibrosis. However, this must be done very cautiously in the nasal area, as overcorrection can lead to thinning or indentation.
Filler (camouflage approach):
Rather than removing volume, sometimes a small amount of filler is used on the opposite side to create a more even contour. This is more of a cosmetic balancing technique rather than treating the underlying cause.
Specialist evaluation:
If the asymmetry remains bothersome or unclear, evaluation by an ENT or facial plastic specialist can help confirm whether this is purely soft tissue or if there’s any subtle structural component that wasn’t initially apparent.

To answer your most important question—yes, further improvement is still possible, especially since you’ve already seen gradual changes. Intervening too early can sometimes do more harm than good, so a conservative approach is often preferred unless the asymmetry is stable and persistent.

Overall, your healing course sounds reassuring, and your awareness of the changes over time is exactly what I would hope to see in a situation like this.

Asymmetric nasal bridge thickness 6 months post nasal contusion w/ no structural damage - would an injection help? (Photos)

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