Prolonged bruising left me with brownish color under the eyes. Is this hemosiderin staining? (Photo)

Question

It has been 7 weeks since I had lower blepharoplasty with fat transfer. under eyes still look a bit swollen and I also have a brownish color under my eyes that cannot be covered effectively with concealer (it looks greenish after covering it and its even worse under certain lighting (e.g yellow). Is this hemosiderin staining? would you recommend laser tx. and if so which one? how long does it take for this to fade? will auridemXL help?

A.J. Amadi, MD · Answer

This could be hemosiderin staining. However, seeing more of your face would be helpful. I'm not sure that any irregularity from fat grafting can be determined based on this photo, especially since we don't have any preoperative photos to which to compare. Seven weeks is relatively early after fat transfer. I would not consider laser this early after the surgery. I would wait about 6 months before considering any other treatment. Close f/u with your surgeon is recommended for

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

You actually look a bit lumpy, bumpy from your fat grafting but to be honest, you are showing us so little of your lower eyelids that it is impossible to know for sure.  The difficulty with lower eyelids that they are extremely sensitive to the optic of how light interacts.  It is possible for an eyelid to hemosiderin stain.  However, I am not sure that is what is going on here.  It looks like this is related to the irregularity created by the fat graft.  IPL and other systems have the potential to improve hemosiderin staining in the eyelid but that may not help you situation.  I would see how things heal long term before rushing into additional treatments.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

Hard to tell if this is skin discoloration or shadowing from the residual swelling in the fat.  If you had significant bruising it can take quite a while to clear.  Sometimes some intense pulsed light treatments can help to lighten the skin.

Edward E. Dickerson, IV, MD · Answer

Not having a full face picture it is hard to tell whether you have hemosiderin staining or not. It is very common to have prolonged swelling after fat grafting to this area.  Seven weeks is still very early, I recommend going for a f/up with your surgeon for a better evaluation.

Curtis Perry, MD · Answer

Since there's been prolonged bruising it probably will take longer than expected for all discoloration to resolve. Have more patience before starting aggressive treatments. Conservative therapy using short periods of warm compresses will help. Contact your surgeon with your concerns.

Prolonged bruising left me with brownish color under the eyes. Is this hemosiderin staining? (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Could It Be Hemosiderin Staining?

Answer: Could It Be Hemosiderin Staining?

Answer: Brown skin staining after prolonged bruising

Answer: Brown skin staining after prolonged bruising

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Prolonged bruising left me with brownish color under the eyes. Is this hemosiderin staining? (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Could It Be Hemosiderin Staining?

Answer: Could It Be Hemosiderin Staining?

Answer: Brown skin staining after prolonged bruising

Answer: Brown skin staining after prolonged bruising

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.