When you
choose to have cosmetic surgery, you take a significant step toward improving
the appearance and health of your skin. For the fastest recovery and best
results, it’s essential for you to take special care of your skin in the first
few days and weeks after cosmetic surgery.
Your
at-home skin care prescription will vary depending on which cosmetic procedure
you elect to have. In all instances, make sure you talk with your doctor or
aesthetician about cosmetic surgery recovery prior to your procedure.
Types of Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetic
procedures vary in the degree to which they affect your skin, ranging from mild
procedures such as microdermabrasion, to surgical procedures, including
face-lifts and eye lifts. You will be able to return to your normal skin care
routine more quickly after mild, noninvasive cosmetic procedures than after
surgical procedures or treatments that cause more injury to your skin.
“The
principal distinction between procedures is whether the skin is intact or
whether the surgery left open skin,” says Ellen Marmur, MD, chief of the
Division of Dermatologic & Cosmetic Surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical
Center. “No matter what, you need to stop using cosmeceuticals or topical
medicines for three days after any procedure.”
Common
cosmetic procedures that leave you with intact skin include:
- Microdermabrasion
- Nonablative laser resurfacing procedures
- Mild chemical peels
- Fillers or Botox
Common
cosmetic procedures that leave you with open wounds or broken skin include:
Deep
chemical peels
Ablative
laser resurfacing treatments
Surgical
procedures, such as eyelifts, rhinoplasty and facelifts
Cosmetic Surgery Recovery: Four Cardinal Skin
Care Rules
1.
Baby
your skin. “To optimize your results, you want to heal without any
discoloration. If your skin is really red, you really want to baby it after
surgery to prevent pigmentation,” Marmur tells WebMD. Make sure you’re using
mild, hypoallergenic products, like non-soap cleansers and fragrance-free
moisturizers.
2.
Be
extra vigilant about sun protection. “The first few days after having a
procedure, it’s best to avoid the direct sun,” says Steven Hopping, MD,
president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. “If you go out, opt for
a sunscreen that blocks alpha and beta sun rays. SPF 30 or 40 is sufficient --
the ones with higher SPF tend to block the pores, so it may be better to steer
clear of them.”
3.
Let
your wounds heal. No matter how tempted you are to pick at your peeling skin or
scabs after cosmetic surgery in an effort to speed your recovery -- don’t. You
could increase your likelihood of infection or scarring.
4.
hydrate, hydrate. Whether you’ve had a minor
procedure or an all-out surgery, drinking six to eight glasses of water a day
will help rejuvenate your skin from the inside out and flush any toxins from
your system.
Cosmetic Surgery Recovery: After
Microdermabrasion and Other Resurfacing Treatments
Minimally
invasive and less expensive cosmetic procedures with faster recovery times,
such as microdermabrasion, are becoming more and more popular. These options allow
women to reap many of the benefits of cosmetic surgery without needing to take
weeks off from work or spend thousands of dollars on a single procedure.
“With
microdermabrasion, there is essentially no downtime,” Hopping tells WebMD.
“Within 48 hours, you can be back on your exfoliants and your antiaging
factors.”
Even
though the procedure is mild, don’t skimp on your sun protection after
microdermabrasion. In some instances, too much sun in the days after the
procedure can lead to unsightly hyperpigmentation.
Your skin
care needs after the mildest types of chemical peels are very similar to those
after microdermabrasion. After medium-depth chemical peels, such as salicylic
acid peels or TCA peels, you should hold off on returning to your normal
routine until at least 48 hours after your skin peels, or typically about a
week.
Gentle
cleansing and moisturizing are essential after all skin resurfacing treatments,
ranging from microdermabrasion to ablative laser procedures. If you have
peeling skin that is bothering you, Marmur recommends putting moisturizing
lotion on a warm, wet washcloth and very gently massaging your skin.
Make sure
you don’t scrub, or you could remove additional layers of skin and cause
damage.
Because
resurfacing procedures may result in excessive pigmentation, ask your doctor
whether you should use a skin-bleaching hydroquinone cream after your cosmetic
procedure to lessen the likelihood of this occurrence.
After Cosmetic Surgery: Facelifts, Eyelifts and
Rhinoplasty
Taking
care of your skin after cosmetic surgeries is more complicated than after less
invasive procedures because you need to treat your wounds, manage swelling, and
keep up with everyday skin care for best results.
To
minimize swelling, experts recommend regular use of ice or cold compresses,
especially in the first three days after your surgery. Sleeping with you head
elevated above your heart will also help avoid an increase in swelling
overnight.
As for
bruising, ask your doctor whether you should take Arnica montana, an herbal
supplement that may help minimize bruising or discoloration.
After Cosmetic Surgery: Facelifts, Eyelifts and
Rhinoplasty continued...
Even
though your face will be sore after cosmetic surgery, it’s important to
continue to cleanse your skin regularly to help with healing and avoid build-up
in your pores that might lead to breakouts. Try washing with mild astringent
pads to cleanse sore areas without applying pressure. Then, be sure to apply a
gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
“In all
cases, we keep the areas clean and moist,” says Jeffery Dover, a Chestnut Hill,
Mass.-based dermatologist.
Make-up After Cosmetic Surgery
If your
skin is intact and you have no open wounds, you can resume using makeup just a
few days after your procedure. After deep chemical peels or ablative laser
procedures, however, it’s essential to wait until your epidermis (the top layer
of your skin) has fully reformed. Be sure to check with your doctor about
makeup use after any cosmetic surgery.
When you
do get the go-ahead to use makeup, remember the following tips:
Go for
mineral. Many makeup manufacturers now make mineral-based lines that are
gentler on your skin and provide excellent coverage.
Combat
red with green. If you have red skin or purple bruising after cosmetic surgery,
a green base will help balance out those colors and give you a more
natural-looking skin tone. Top this base with a powder about one shade darker
than you usually wear for best results.
Wash it
off at night. You can’t overestimate how important it is to cleanse your skin
regularly, especially during cosmetic surgery recovery. Be vigilant about
washing your makeup off every night using a non-soap cleanser.
Hilary
Parker
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