What could cause the nose color to change after rhinoplasty?

Depending on the time after surgery, color change in the first 6-12 months can be due to changes in vascularity. Redness can increase because skin healing and metabolic activity can cause vasodilation. Blueness can result from venous congestion and oxygen being extracted from the "sluggish" venous capillaries. As tissues remove oxygen from the hemoglobin in these capillaries, they get darker and darker, causing a bluish coloration to the normally pink (oxygenated) skin.Chronic skin conditions such as rosacea can also cause redness, which is more visible right after surgery. Healing resolves most of these color changes, but scar tissue and things like rosacea can contribute to long-term color changes. Every patient is different, and most rhinoplasty patients do not have these extremes of color change. Best regards! Dr. Tholen

Hi and welcome to our forum!Following tip rhinoplasty, there will be inflammatory swelling as well as temporary ingrowth of new blood vessels as part of the healing process, which may impart a reddish color to overlying skin. As healing completes, the blood vessels recede and color of the skin should return to normal. A bluish color to the nasal tip during healing suggests a degree of venous obstruction and congestion which usually resolves spontaneously as well. Discuss your concerns during an in-person evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon.Best wishes...