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Bruising after rhinoplasty is a common part of the recovery process – but it doesn’t happen to everyone. When it does, it usually appears as bruising around the eyes or upper cheeks and fades within 7–10 days. However, it is a side effect that can happen due to surgeon error, certain medications, or other factors.
In this guide, we’ll explain what causes bruising after nose surgery, how long it lasts, what the bruising stages look like, and how to speed up healing with home remedies and medical advice.
Bruising after rhinoplasty is common, especially if bone work was involved, but many patients experience only mild discolouration.
Most bruising fades within 7–10 days, with the worst swelling and colour changes happening in the first 3–4 days.
Bruising is typically worse in older patients, smokers, or those taking blood-thinning medications or certain supplements.
Following your surgeon’s recovery plan – including ice packs, elevation, and avoiding certain medications – can significantly reduce bruising.
Arnica and bromelain supplements may help speed up the healing process when used as directed before and after surgery.
Bruising after rhinoplasty typically lasts between 7 to 14 days, depending on the individual and the surgical technique used. Most patients see the bruising start to fade around day 5, and by day 10, it’s usually light enough to cover with makeup—or gone entirely.
The majority of bruising happens around the under-eye area, especially if the nasal bones were reshaped or broken during surgery. Bruising can last slightly longer in older patients, smokers, or anyone with fair or sensitive skin.
If you’re still experiencing dark bruising after two weeks, or if it’s getting worse instead of better, it’s best to check in with your surgeon.
We believe that the most important factor in minimising any potential bruising is down to your choice of the rhinoplasty surgeon. The more experienced the surgeon, the less chance of extensive bruising and swelling.
A top rhinoplasty surgeon will be aware of all the details discussed in this article and will pay attention to all of them. This is something that only comes with experience.
Apart from the specialist, there are also a number of other factors that can influence the likelihood of bruising:
The bulk of nasal bruising occurs when your surgeon is making amendments to your nasal bone i.e. bridge shaving or nasal profile narrowing.
There is a blood supply to your nasal bone called the periosteum, which when disrupted during changes to your nasal shape will result in additional bruising around the eyes and sometimes down to your cheeks.
This often occurs when the surgeon has to make a micro breakage in the nasal bone to narrow the width of the bridge, and the surgeon ends up cutting through the periosteum that covers the lower and upper surfaces of the nasal bones.
By always taking the extra time to elevate the periosteum when it is necessary to cut the nasal bones, we are able to minimise the trauma and thereby reduce your bruising.
Older patients often have more fragile blood vessels and can lead to more bruising after rhinoplasty. This is generally an age range from 45 years onwards.
If you or any family members have any history of excessive bruising or bleeding after procedures or in general, it is important that you discuss this with your surgeon so proper testing can be carried out.
Smoking restricts the body’s ability to clot after incisions are made and this leads to a slightly prolonged recovery. The longer the recovery, naturally the longer your bruising will take to disappear.
If you take medications that thin the blood, it is important for you to discuss this with your surgeon who can then make proper arrangements accordingly.
Here are some tips on how to reduce the chance of getting black eyes after a nose job:
You should avoid taking medications that can thin the blood for at least two weeks before the surgery.
The medications must not be resumed until after your doctor tells you that it is safe to do so.
Some of the medications to avoid include ibuprofen, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatory drugs.
In the case of bruising after rhinoplasty, there are several ways to reduce the swelling and bruising.
Patients should avoid taking a high dosage of herbal remedies, multivitamins, or tea that contain high levels of Ginseng, fish oils, Ginko, and Vitamin E.
These can affect the general anaesthesia in surgery and have an effect immediately on how your body starts to recover from the procedure.
Here’s a general timeline of what the bruising process looks like after a nose job:
Day 1–3: Peak Bruising
Bruising appears dark purple or blue around the eyes and upper cheeks.
Swelling is at its worst.
You may feel pressure or tightness in the area.
Day 4–6: Colour Changes Begin
Bruising begins to fade and change colour—often turning green, brown, or yellow.
Swelling slowly starts to go down.
Discomfort should improve with prescribed pain medication.
Day 7–10: Bruising Mostly Fades
Most patients notice their bruising becoming faint or almost gone.
At this stage, light makeup can usually cover any remaining discolouration.
The nasal splint is typically removed by day 7–10.
Day 10–14: Almost Fully Healed
Any remaining yellowish bruising continues to fade.
Most people feel confident returning to work or social settings without concern.
Final swelling will still take weeks or months to go down, but bruising is no longer visible.
If you notice bruising following your nose surgery, here are some tips to follow. Try these to reduce the time it takes to make it disappear.
Berkeley Square Medical is one of the leading nose clinics in London, UK. To learn more about the consultation, prices, and the types of nose reshaping we do visit our London rhinoplasty page.
Most bruising fades significantly within 7 to 10 days after surgery. Some mild yellow discolouration may linger a little longer, especially in sensitive areas under the eyes. For most patients, bruising is hardly noticeable after the two-week mark.
Yes, bruising is completely normal—especially if your surgery involved work on the nasal bones. Even with the best surgical techniques, some patients will develop black eyes or discolouration, particularly in the first few days after surgery.
Black eyes occur when tiny blood vessels around the eyes are affected during nasal bone reshaping. The bruising tends to settle in the thin tissue under the eyes, creating a darkened or swollen appearance.
You can reduce bruising by following your surgeon’s post-op instructions, using cold compresses in the first 48 hours, keeping your head elevated, avoiding blood thinners, and possibly taking arnica or bromelain as advised.
Bruising that gets worse after the first week, is very painful, or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever or swelling that spreads may need medical attention. If in doubt, always contact your surgeon for guidance
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