What is the best way to clean the skin on the nose 12 days after Rhinoplasty.

Early on after a rhinoplasty, with tape and splints, the nasal skin can become irritated. To initially clean, you can use a mild alcohol solution. Also, a facial cleanser can be used to clean your nasal skin, but it is important to be gentle with cleaning especially so soon after surgery. 

Dear Neyney:You are asking an important question. Twelve days after rhinoplasty, often the skin tends to be a little overactive with respect to oil production. That sometimes leads to a condition called acneiform dermatitis. Here is our time-tested way to reverse that problem and to possibly even prevent it from happening if it has not shown up yet. Use witch hazel, which is a dilute alcohol solution and readily available at any pharmacy without a prescription. Saturate a cotton ball with it and gently use that witch hazel impregnated cotton ball to gently wipe the oil off the nose.Another helpful solution to use is an antibacterial hand soap, such as Dial soap. Most of the chain of pharmacies, such as CVS, has their own less expensive in-house brand. Use that to wash your hands and face twice a day.With that regimen, you should be able to keep the skin of your nose out of trouble.Robert Kotler, MD, FACS

In general, at 12 days post op you should use facial cleanser designed for your skin type. Clean in a gentle way.  Address any concerns to your surgeon.

Dear Neyney12, I would speak with your surgeons office as to what their protocol is for cleansing the skin after splint removal. Personally, I have an aesthetician in the office who consults with any patients who have questions or concerns. Typically she will review the patient's current cleansing products and either advise them to keep using their current regimen or will suggest other products depending on the problem. It is a very personalized situation depending on each patients skin type and needs. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.