Many patients experience bruising around the nose and under the eyes after undergoing rhinoplasty. This is usually accompanied by swelling and some pain, all of which indicate a healthy healing process; still, bruising can be uncomfortable and inconvenient for those who have received this surgery.
What Is Bruising?
Simply, a bruise is a collection of blood under the skin. In most cases, people get bruises when they bump against something sharp or rigid. The blow breaks capillaries or damages vessels under the skin, and blood leaks into the surrounding tissue. Bruises may be deep in the skin or sit almost at the surface of the skin, depending on the type of injury. With rhinoplasty, it is common for patients to see both types of bruising. This is no cause for alarm, especially if the bruises begin to properly fade over time.
Why Does Bruising Occur after Rhinoplasty?
Bruising is common during many different types of surgery. The incision itself encounters a number of capillaries, which, after the incision is closed, will leak into the surrounding tissue. During the reshaping process, more irritation is caused, simply by force and manipulation.
Whether you are having a deviated septum corrected or are simply aligning and correcting the look of the nose, the body is not used to having so much activity under the skin; this is likely to cause some small amount of trauma to the tissues in the area. Fortunately, the tissues in this area heal very quickly.
How Long Will It Last?
Bruising and swelling alike should subside after about a month. Bruising starts out in a black, purple, or blue hue. As the fading progresses, the bruise will take on a greenish hue. In the final stages of healing, the bruise will be a yellow or brown color. Finally, the bruise will fade completely and the skin color will return to normal. After a month, the face should be less sensitive and more resilient to bruising. If you have concerns, however, be sure to ask your doctor.
How to Minimize Bruising
Even though it is a common side effect, this does not make bruising any less inconvenient. Luckily, there are a number of ways to reduce the severity and duration of those nasty bruises.
Ice It. Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon or doctor if this is a viable option for you. While icing will shrink vessels and capillaries, and therefore reduce the amount of blood that can pool, it will also constrict the skin, which could pull open a closed incision.
Elevate it. Because the bruising is on your face, this shouldn’t be difficult! When you sleep, keep the head propped up on pillow, so instead of pooling due to gravity, the blood can drain away.
Take Vitamin C. Vitamin C works deep in the skin to repair tissues, so it can speed up your healing process and help close off those broken capillaries.
Arnica montana. Use of the herb Arnica Montana has been shown to reduce bruising in patients.
Contact Dr. John R. Griffin to schedule a rhinoplasty consultation.
