Nose Swells/shines After a Night of Drinking and a Humid Climate - Is This Normal?

Question

I had major rhinoplasty 2y ago. While travelling in asia, the humid climate made my nose more stiff/swell. A night of heavy drinking makes it worse and also long periods in sun. It becomes obvious that a nose job is visible. I suspect its due to poor lymphatic drainage but will stiffness of nose reduce after 2 y post surgery and is there massages that can speed long term reduction in nose stiffness/swelling? I feel my nose is still a tiny bit swollen

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Two years after nasal surgery is enough time for all of the surgical changes to be "complete," at least in terms of scar maturation, lymphatic regrowth, and sensory nerve regeneration. Sometimes the nasal skin responds to food (especially hot, spicy foods), drink (alcohol), and hot humid climate more dramatically in some individuals whether or not they have had rhinoplasty surgery. Really, only you "know" you have had rhinoplasty, others may just "suspect it!"

	You may actually have Acne Rosacea, which can flare dramatically with the things you have mentioned. You may have post-surgical vascular changes in the skin of your nose that make it more responsive to the things you noted, even without the diagnosis of Rosacea.

	Frankly, massage is worthless here; what you need is a visit to your surgeon or perhaps a qualified dermatologist. Tell them specifically what bothers you about your nose's appearance in the conditions you mentioned, and leave the speculation, diagnosis, and recommended treatment to an expert! You may benefit from topical and/or oral antibiotic therapy or one of several laser techniques to help deal with your issues. Good luck!

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Nasal swelling after 2 years is difficutl to attribute to the rhinoplasty and may be more likely associated with another underlying condiiton such as sinusitis. Consider CT scan evaluation. Manual lymphatic drainage could be help.

Catherine Huang-Begovic, MD, FACS · Answer

It's unlikely that 2 years after rhinoplasty you should have swelling in your nose.  Did you have foreign material placed in your nose as part of your rhinoplasty? I would recommend seeing your rhinoplasty surgeon or an ENT to evaluate your swelling.  It's unlikely any massage would help and I would avoid triggers that make it swell more.

	Dr. Cat Begovic

Michel Siegel, MD · Answer

The skin covering the nose is very delicate and sensitive, even after 2 years changes in swelling are more noticeable than if you never had any surgery.

	There is no medicine that can prevent this, but there are certain things in lifestyle that can increase/decrease how the swelling reacts.

	Salty meals, alcohol drinks and a humid climate will make it worse. Also smoking may may this worse. You cannot control the climate but you can moderate the other factors.

	 

	Dr Siegel

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

In general, nasal swelling after a rhinoplasty should dissipate after 6 months to a year. Two years later is unusual. I would see a doctor to be evaluated.

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Nose Swells/shines After a Night of Drinking and a Humid Climate - Is This Normal?

Answers (9)

Answer: Shinny nose after surgery

Answer: Shinny nose after surgery

Answer: Rhinoplasty and swelling

Answer: Rhinoplasty and swelling

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.