How Can I Safely Apply and Remove Tape To My Nose After Rhinoplasty?

Your initial tape and splint after rhinoplasty is rarely designed to be removed by the patient. In fact, I specifically tell my patients of another patient who removed her nasal tapes and splint to "see how it looked" and wrecked her nose, requiring re-operation. NO KIDDING. Do not remove your nasal tape and splint! Your surgeon will do this for you in a way that does not damage your result! We may choose to leave them in place differing lengths of time, but just because your friend who went to a different surgeon had his or her splint removed after 5, or 7 days, does NOT mean you can remove your own at a time other than your surgeon's recommendation. Only your surgeon knows how long he or she needs your splint to do its job.

Taping after splint removal is rarely of any benefit, but if your surgeon wants you to do this, he or she will tell you exactly how to do this and likely supply the exact type of desired tape also.

DO NOT DO THIS ON YOUR OWN AS A RESULT OF INTERNET OR FRIEND RESEARCH!

Let me repeat that: DO NOT DO THIS ON YOUR OWN AS A RESULT OF INTERNET OR FRIEND RESEARCH!

When I perform a rhinoplasty the nose is taped and splinted for one week postoperatively. I don't use tape on the nose after that, although some surgeons may recommend it to reduce swelling. I would ask your surgeon what their recommendation is. If they advise taping of your nose, let them show you how to do it.

The nasal splint is helpful the first week, and tape may be beneficial an additional week, however after that there is no sound reason to keep taping the nose after your procedure.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd