Is 70% Alcohol Safe for Cleaning Nasal Skin After Rhinoplasty?

Question

I had open rhinoplasty 6 months ago and since the surgery i used to clean my outer nasal skin with ethyl alcohol 70% , is that safe or it is harmful to the skin ?

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

This is neither necessary nor advisable, but probably not harmful. Why not just soap and water, plus your normal moisturizer and sunscreen? This much alcohol strips the skin of its normal lubrication, and simply stimulates (additional) oil production to accommodate for this removal.

	Best advice: Just say "NO!"

	Cheers! Dr. Tholen

Angela Sturm, MD · Answer

Cleaning your skin with alcohol can be very drying and not necessary.  A gentle cleanser, sunscreen and moisurizer should be the basics of what your skin would need at this point after surgery.

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

I don't think you are going to harm anything at this point. Being that said alcohol will only dry your skin out tremendously. I would stick with good old soap and water and moisturize your skin as needed. What is the purpose for your using alcohol? Hope this helps.

Is 70% Alcohol Safe for Cleaning Nasal Skin After Rhinoplasty?

Answers (3)