Facelift and discoloration. I use 4% hydroquinone AM and PM. Is this normal and how long before dissipates?

Question

I had a face lift 10 months and have light red discorations just under cheekbones. I use 4% hydroquinone AM and PM. Is this normal and how long before dissipates?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

There are many reasons to have redness to your scar and this is typically in patients who have redness to their skin tone and can take up to a year to fade without additional treatment. The redness can be addressed in a number of ways and lasers are usually the most effective. It is best for you to see a plastic surgeon to discuss your treatment options.

Eugene Kim, MD · Answer

Hydroquinone
is not usually used for redness, it is used for pigmentation. There are a lot
of issues that could cause the redness, but this should be determined by your
doctor. It could be rosacea, broken capillaries, which is hard to determine without
an examination.It is best for you to
see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your options.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Discoloration after a facelift can be due to injury to the skin from the dissection, bleeding that stains the skin, or small telangiectasias that develop.  Hydroquinone is a good option to start, but if it has no results, you may try a peel or laser. First the cause of this discoloration needs to be determined.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Hydroquinone normally is used to help lighten brown discoloration and it will not improve the redness you have under your cheekbones 10 months after your facelift.  I would discuss this issue with your surgeon, as there are some laser treatments that can help to eliminate redness.

Mark Been, MD · Answer

Skin discoloration after facelift surgery usually dissipates after the first 4-6 weeks, at most. If you are 10 months removed from surgery, I would recommend returning to your surgeon for an in-office examination. I would also caution the use of twice daily hydroquinone to those areas, unless you are following the specific recommendations of a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Typically, this medication is used to treat areas of hyperpigmentation (brown spots). The hydroquinone could actually be the reason for your lingering redness. Best of luck!

Stephen E. Metzinger, MD · Answer

Dear lemhilmes:    Thank you for your question.  Discoloration after a facelift can be multifactorial. Damage to the skin-soft tissue envelope can be from the dissection, bleeding that stains the skin, chronic skin conditions or small telangiectasias that develop.  Hydroquinone  may not be your best option.  First the cause of this discoloration needs to be determined. Please follow up with your operating surgeon to discuss options Good luck and I hope this helps.

Josh Waltzman, MD, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Hydroquinone is not typically used to treat light red discolorations.  I would recommend making an appointment to see your Plastic Surgeon to review your skin care regimen and make sure that you are optimizing the products that you are using.

Wendell Perry, MD · Answer

Hydroquinone should not work on a light red discoloration. You should check with your doctor the hydroquinone may cause you problems on its own. During healing blood vessels may be dilated and this causes areas to be red. It could take months for this redness to go down.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Hydroquinone is used to dispell dark coloration.  However by its own irritation  it can cause red coloration.  Check with your surgeon. You may need to stop using Hydroquinone because it has served its purpose for you.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Hydroquinone will have not effect on red areas.  You would be better served by with either an IPL treatment

Facelift and discoloration. I use 4% hydroquinone AM and PM. Is this normal and how long before dissipates?

Answers (12)

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