Taking care of your new nose after a rhinoplasty procedure is a vital part of the rhinoplasty recovery timeline. The best rhinoplasty surgeons will tell you it’s one of the most essential parts of how your face will heal and shape into its final look. Recovery from a rhinoplasty procedure requires some care on your part once the surgery is done with.
However, the summer months provide an extra array of skin-care-related challenges regarding rhinoplasty recovery stages. Sun exposure can have a significant impact on recovery after rhinoplasty if you are not cautious. But what can you do about this? Is sunscreen a safe option, or do you need to hide in the shade? Let’s find out.
Recovery after rhinoplasty basics
The best advice we can give those recovering from rhinoplasty or septoplasty is to follow the advice of your cosmetic surgeon. Keep the bandages on as long as they recommend, and don’t take them off until instructed. This is imperative.
After the bandages come off, your skin will be extremely sensitive. With this sensitivity in mind, avoiding any exfoliating products is a good idea. However, moisturizer should be alright as dry skin is a common side effect during rhinoplasty recovery.
You also want to avoid bumping or touching your nose. This can be more difficult than you realize, but protecting the area from further trauma is essential. Wear contacts over glasses for the first bit to avoid them slipping down your nose and causing irritation. If you do need to wear glasses, find a way to secure them with tape or straps. Your optician might be able to help. This goes for sunglasses as well. If you will be heading out on a sunny day, try opting for a ball cap or floppy hat instead of sunglasses.
Similarly, when it comes to clothes, try to wear clothing that zips up the front, or that you can pull your arms through from the bottom up (dress or tank tops). Rather than pulling a shirt, sweater or jacket over your head that could rub against your nose. As for exercise, keep it light and, if possible, in the home. Any accidental injury could ruin the results of your nose job.
And, yes, you’re going to want to avoid direct sun exposure on your nose. This requires that you use sunscreen. However, there’s a best way to go about this and we will discuss it next.
Recovery after rhinoplasty and sunscreen
You’ll want to protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen after a rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty. It’s vital you limit sun exposure during the recovery period. However, don’t apply sunscreen immediately. You’ll want to wait a bit, at least until the bandages come off. A good rule of thumb is to not use any sunscreen before the nasal splints are removed or before forty-eight hours are up, whichever comes first. During this time, it’s best to simply rest indoors or in the shade.
After this, you’ll need to wear sunscreen for the months after your rhinoplasty procedure. Exactly how long you need sun protection during the rhinoplasty recovery timeline depends and is case by case. Still, it will likely be a few months. Ask your nurse, cosmetic experts or rhinoplasty surgeon, as they’ll be the ones to determine how long and can see progress during your check ups.
Use a mineral-based sunscreen and one that’s non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). This will help avoid irritation to your post-rhinoplasty skin. Sunscreen should be in the 30+ SPF range.
It’s also crucial you have a hat on hand to reduce exposure to direct sunlight. Finding shade is key. Sunscreen helps, but the shade is the best way to protect your rhinoplasty results during the recovery process.
Get more rhinoplasty questions answered
Looking to get the best rhinoplasty in Toronto? Have more questions about how to protect your skin after a nose job? At Dr. Rival’s Rhinoplasty Toronto Clinic, we’re always ready to answer any of your questions. Just contact us via our website or phone number. We’re delighted to chat or meet with you at our Toronto or Newmarket locations.