Rhinoplasty: Q&A

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How Long to Stay Away from Sun After Rhinoplasty?

After an open Rhinoplasty, how long must one stay out of the sun? It has been five weeks since my Rhinoplasty. My scar is healing very nicely and is already barely noticeable. It's summer and I am on a holiday, should I continue to hide from the sun? If so, for how long? Or can I go swimming if I have a 60 or 70 spf? I just don't want to compromise my results.

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nose sun protection

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by deformedlipo in United Kingdom

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Sun exposure following rhinoplasty

You can go out in the sun immediately following rhinoplasty, but you should avoid prolonged exposure or tanning. It mainly has to do with bruising and scaring. If you expose a bruise to UV light, it may cause hyper-pigmentation of the skin, and this can take many months to resolve. This can cause any external nasal scars to darken as well. Also, you are more like to get sun burned during the early weeks after surgery. A good sun screen and a hat, will allow you to enjoy your vacation and not... more

Sun Avoidance After Rhinoplasty

One of the key elements is after doing rhinoplasty your nasal tip and dorsum may be numb and it would be best to avoid the sun for 3-6 months. More importantly, use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

10 reviews

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Avoiding Sun

Sun avoidance is crucial to avoid having your wound turn dark from hyperpigmentation. You must stay out of the sun or minimize your exposure for the next 6 months. If you do go out in the sun you must wear sunscreen SPF 45 and reapply every 30 minutes to an hour. You should try to avoid putting on sunscreen for the first two weeks. see video

Philip Young, MD

6 reviews

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

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No suntanning for 3 months.

Hi! You can go in the sun one month after a rhinoplasty, as long as you are wearing an effective micronized zinc sunscreen. If you tan before 3 months, the skin may become permanently dark.

Rhinoplasty: How Long to Avoid Sun Exposure?

Hi Deformed Lipo, We tell our patients to always practice good sun exposure common sense. After rhinoplasty you want to avoid sun exposure (sun burn) as it will cause swelling, and if you do have an external scar, it will cause the scar to darken (hyperpigment). You should wear a good sunblock that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, a wide brimmed hat, and by all means, put down that ever popular in the 60's and 70's sun reflector. Five weeks after your surgery while on holiday, you can be in... more

Michael A. Persky, MD

21 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drpersky.com

No sun for 6 weeks following rhinoplasty

I tell my patients to avoid sun exposure for at least 6 weeks following rhinoplasty. This is because the skin is damaged from underneath by elevating it to acess the undelying nasal bone and cartilage. If you get a sunburn on top, the skin has no place to heal. Also, the very delicate vessels that carry away swelling and fluid from the skin and underlying structures, called lymphatics, take a few months to recover after surgery. Inflammation associated with a sunburn will have no way of... more

Rhinoplasty Recovery: Sun Exposure

Sun exposure in the first several months following rhinoplasty can cause the skin of the nose to become red or "splotchy". It can also predispose you to getting sunburned more easily. For the first several months after rhinoplasty, patients should wear sunscreen and/or a hat to prevent the above mentioned problems.

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.