Steroid injection caused hypopigmentation or something else? 3 weeks later and still discolored
32F, non smoker. Medications/supplements: tacrolimus ointment twice daily (started recently), vitamin C, bromelain, arnica.
About 3 weeks ago I had a steroid injection in my cheek for a very small residual bump/scar left from a cyst removal surgery I had years ago. Since then I’ve had lingering green/yellow discoloration plus a lighter patch in the area. The pale spot becomes much more noticeable whenever my face gets red or flushed because the surrounding skin turns red while that area stays light.
The area also still seems slightly swollen/full compared to the other side and I’m worried I may have caused permanent damage.
Does this look/sound more consistent with:
• steroid-induced hypopigmentation
• prolonged bruising/post-inflammatory color change
• vascular changes
• or something else entirely?
Main questions:
• Can steroid hypopigmentation spread or get larger over time?
• Is lingering green/yellow discoloration at 3 weeks still normal?
• Is tacrolimus reasonable to try short term for this?
• Does this type of reaction usually improve with time?
I do have health anxiety, so I know I may be overanalyzing this, but it’s causing me a lot of stress.