Skin Care after Rhinoplasty

Have you lost your confidence because of having a big unfit nose?  Rhinoplasty or “nose job” is one of the most important cosmetic surgeries that affects breathing quality and the beauty of the face enormously. This surgery changes your appearance a lot, thus having a skillful surgeon is very important. Due to the challenges of rhinoplasty, many plastic surgeons do not perform this surgery. There are commonly a few percentages of plastic surgeons performing a large proportion of rhinoplasty surgeries. Due to using a nose cast and bandages on the nose after rhinoplasty, skin care gets more difficult. In this article, we will talk about important tips that will help you take care of your skin better and enhance the speed of recovery.

What does Rhinoplasty Do?

Rhinoplasty is carried out by a plastic surgeon under a general anesthetic. Depending on the goal of your surgery, which can be either aesthetic, constructive or both of them, your surgeon may have different attempts:

• Make your nose smaller (nose reduction): this procedure is done by removing parts of the cartilage and bone to make the nose thinner and smaller.
• Make your nose larger (nose augmentation): in this procedure, cartilage is taken from the ears and bone from the hips, elbow or skull in order to use it for building up the nose (known as a "graft")
• Change the shape of your nose: this procedure is done by breaking the nose bone and rearranging the cartilage so that it gets a better appearance.
• Modify the angle between your nose and the top lip: in this procedure, the skin over the nose should shrink or expand to its new shape.

The rhinoplasty operation involves two methods called “open surgery” or “close surgery”. Sometimes surgeons make a cut across the skin between the nostrils (open rhinoplasty), or they make small cuts inside the nostrils which is called closed rhinoplasty. In a closed rhinoplasty, the doctor makes two incisions inside the nose and through these incisions, all the alternations will be done. There are no visible scars on the skin and it causes less swelling. However, this method does not give much freedom to surgeons for changing the nose appearance enormously and therefore it is not always possible or available. This procedure can take 1.5 to 3 hours. An open rhinoplasty includes the same two incisions plus an additional incision on the columella. This procedure allows the surgeon to see the nose anatomy underneath and analyze it completely. It gives the surgeon the ability to see abnormalities and asymmetries that are not observable with an external examination. For the first 12 hours after the operation, you will have a dressing on your nose. In addition, a splint will be inserted into your nose for about 7 days. You will be given painkillers to help control any pain or discomfort after rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty Recovery Time

Patients want to know when they recover after a nose job. When people know all the details about rhinoplasty recovery, they feel more comfortable and know what they should expect through the recovery phases. After rhinoplasty surgery, patients can go home and start the recovery period. The healing process is different from one person to another. Some levels of swelling and bruising will appear on the face after the surgery, however, they will be diminished more every day. Since the skin at the bridge and the upper parts of the nose is thinner, the swelling will go down quicker. The swelling on the tip of your nose will take a little longer time to disappear but it will always go away. There are also other factors involved in the duration of healing such as the thickness of the skin. The thinner your skin is, the quicker the swelling will go away. Another factor is how much work is needed to shape the nose. If people have had many broken noses and had a deviated septum, the whole nose needs to be disassembled and rebuilt; therefore, there is going to be more swelling and bruising and will take a longer time for swelling to go away. This time often does not exceed 7 to 10 days. The typical rhinoplasty healing process is like other surgical operations. It often takes about 3 months; however, you will look good in weeks 3 or 4. Your nose keeps getting better and better every day and heals in its best way when there is no manipulation or massaging involved. Keep in mind that recovery will take a full year for all the swelling to resolve and seeing the final results.

Side effects

After having a nose job, it is common to experience:

• A blocked nose. You will need to breathe through your mouth for about a week until your surgeon removes the splints and your nose cast.
• Numbness especially at the tip of your nose.
• Pain, swelling, and bruising around the eyes, can last up to 3 weeks.
• Light nosebleeds for the first few days.

 

Skin Care

 

Cleansing Your Face

After rhinoplasty, your nose is covered by plaster bandages and a cast. There are also splints inside your nasal cavities. Plasters and splints should not get wet. Therefore, you should not take a shower before your surgeon removes the bandage. Your surgeon will probably suggest you clean your skin with wet pads or soap-free cleansers during the first days of recovery (first 5 to 7 days). Once your bandages are removed, you can use water and a cleanser. You should be careful about the type of cleanser that you use during the recovery period. You need to use mild, non-scented cleansers for sensitive types of skin because after the rhinoplasty your skin might get more sensitive. A proper cleanser can reduce the redness and sensitivity of your skin. You should use a pH-balanced, water-based cleanser that does not leave skin feeling tight or dry. Do not rub your face hard. Use your wash face on a soft cloth or cotton pad and apply it gently on your face because your skin is definitely tender and swollen. Use warm (not hot) water to wash your face and then pat dry with a soft towel.  

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water during the recovery period. Staying hydrated helps your skin naturally stay moisturized. It will remove toxins from your skin. Drink about 8 to 10 glasses of water every day to keep your skin moisturized and refreshed. Every cell, tissue, and organ of your body needs water to work properly. By drinking enough water, you can ensure you will not only recover easier from surgery but also your face skin will be rejuvenated. Although plain water is the best drink for staying hydrated, other fluids can also be helpful. Fruit or vegetable juices, milk, and herbal drinks can add water to your body. Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, or soda can add to your daily intake of water; however, it is best to limit caffeine and use it in a moderate amount.  

Protect your Skin against the Sun

After a nose job, the skin near the nose is more vulnerable to sunburn and UV rays because it has been stretched and changed. You should limit your direct exposure to sunlight for several weeks after the surgery. When you go outdoors, make sure to use sunscreen on your face and even wear a hat for extra protection. Sun ultraviolet radiation can discolor the stitch mark and the darkness may remain on your skin. Most doctors recommend using sunscreen with SPF 30 or 40.

 

 

Use Smooth Combinations

After rhinoplasty, you should only use smooth face sanitary products and face cleansers. Use a moisturizer to prevent face dryness. It is recommended to avoid products with active elements such as Alpha hydroxyl acid or Retinoid since they can stimulate skin and cause more sensitivity against sunlight. In addition, they will dry the skin while the skin should be moisturized after the surgery.  

Makeup

You can start wearing makeup after a couple of days have passed from your rhinoplasty. Your surgeon may recommend you avoid makeup until he removes the plaster bandage. During the recovery period and after your doctor permits you to wear makeup, you can use high-quality cosmetics made of natural and mineral materials. This kind of cosmetic has good coverage and is smoother than the others. By using cosmetics, you can cover the bruising and redness around your nose in the best way. Do not make pressure while you apply foundation cream or pancake on the skin around your nose.  

Use Moisturizer

When your skin is washed and clean, you should use a fragrance-free moisturizer and apply it to your skin gently. Pressing your fingers on your nose can cause bones to shift. You need to use a moisturizer that has at least three of the below ingredients for proper skin healing: ceramides, glycerin, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and sunflower seed oil.  

Treat Blackheads with Care

Having blackheads on your nose is common post-rhinoplasty since sebum gets clogged in your nose's pores when your nose is covered underneath the bandages and oxidizes to become annoying black seed-like spots. Even though these black spot are unpleasant, you should not manipulate them because your nose is already going through lots of things.  

Do not Manipulate your Stitch Marks

Avoid pressing your nose or manipulating your stitch marks. When stitch marks are healing, removing them is often tempting but you should refrain to do it. If you remove the stitch marks, the marks can remain on your skin and it also increases the infection possibility.

The bottom line

You should know that any cosmetic surgery can sometimes go wrong and the results may not be what you have expected. TebMedTourism doctors explain any limitations on your activities or works and additional follow-up sessions. During the recovery, not only you should take care of your nose, but also you should be careful about your skin health. If you have any unexpected symptoms on your skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible. TebMedTourism proudly provides the top plastic surgeons in Iran who take care of you and make sure you will receive the best results without any complications. They will follow the patient’s health condition and instruct them on required skin care as well as their nose care.  For getting more information and a free personal consultation, contact us through WhatsApp now!

Author and publisher: Leila Nazari

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