Small dent on end of nose, and change in skin after steroid injection- how serious is this? Will it correct itself?

Question

I have thick skin, and experienced enough swelling that my surgeon gave me 2 steroid injections at about 2 months post op. I seem to be developing a small dent, and change in skin texture. Question being, will this fix itself? And should I continue with more injections?

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you very much for enquire.It's too early to make value judgments with only 2 months after a rhinoplasty.Swelling after a rhinoplasty depends of the surgery complexity.In this regard, the nasal swelling Post-op It can last from two weeks to two months.To reduce this swelling, I recommend you perform delicates daily lymphatic drainage massage therapy over the face (around the nose) avoid sun exposure, and take pain/inflamation pills, as your surgeron precribe you.Kind regards, Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

What you describe is a side effect of the steroid, and is sign to be cautious when considering and further treatment. Thin skin, dents, and change in texture can result and can remain, though often the situation will sort itself out over time.

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Nolan_C,

Thank you for your clinical
post.  Steroid injections after a
rhinoplasty especially with persistent edema and swelling of the tip are quite
common.  Quite often experienced
rhinoplasty surgeon will be wary of indentations and dilute significantly a steroid
to minimize soft tissue atrophy.  When an
indentation occurs relatively quickly after a steroid injection the atrophy of
the subcutaneous fat is usually reversible. 
I have found over the past 25 years the occasional time there’s been an
indentation that is steroid induced, injection of a biostimulatory products
including small aliquot of fat derived stem cells or plasma rich protein or
even Restylane or Juvederm can stimulate a host response and revitalization of
the tissue.  As tip swelling after
rhinoplasty is common and generally rhinoplasty surgeons will wait one year
prior to assessing the tip for the steroid injections would be ill-advised
after this side effect.

I would visit your operative
rhinoplasty surgeon and outline your concerns as they are in the best position
to offer ongoing treatment.

I hope this information is of some
assistance and best of luck.

To find out more, please visit the
link below.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

Small dent on end of nose, and change in skin after steroid injection- how serious is this? Will it correct itself?

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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

Small dent on end of nose, and change in skin after steroid injection- how serious is this? Will it correct itself?

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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