Blackheads after rhinoplasty are a common occurrence. Rhinoplasty surgery can cause the skin to be stretched, and as it heals, blackheads may form as the oil is pushed up from below.
Many people choose to extract their own blackheads post-surgery, but you must take precautions for yourself and your nose so that you do not make things worse. In this blog post, we will cover how to deal with blackheads after rhinoplasty!
You might also want to read our article covering other aspects of rhinoplasty aftercare here.
Blackheads are formed when your pores get clogged with oil and bacteria. This can happen as the nose is healing from rhinoplasty because there has been a change to the structure of your skin due to the surgery.
The other main reason is that your nose may be covered by a splint and tape for about a week after the procedure, making it difficult for your skin to expel oil from the pores.
If you have a dermatologist, then it is best to schedule an appointment with them instead of trying to extract them yourself. They can use their medical tools and knowledge about which ones to use in order to get rid of your blackheads in the safest way possible.
If you are heading out and need to get rid of blackheads quickly, covering them up with makeup may be a temporary solution.
If neither of the above options suits you, follow the steps below to clear blackheads at home.
Before you begin, make sure that your doctor has removed any stitches and given you clearance to do so. If they have not, then it is best to wait until the time frame indicated by them before cleaning your own blackheads.
You should also be careful about how you extract blackheads after surgery. Never use sharp tools, as this can damage the skin and cause complications to arise later on.
Pinching, poking, or squeezing a blackhead is never recommended. This can enlarge pores and cause irritation of the skin. There is also a risk of scarring.
Start by cleansing your skin with a gentle salicylic acid cleanser.
Using a skin brush, you can open blackheads up in a way that is not jeopardizing your surgery results.
Gently rub your skin with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol. This will dry blackheads off.
In the first few months after surgery, your skin will be extra sensitive and easily irritated by many products that can cause problems to arise with healing!
You should refrain from using pore strips during the first 3-6 months, although some surgeons recommend staying away from them for the first year after a nose job.
This might also change depending on the exact type of surgery you had so you should always check with your doctor before you attempt using a pore strip on your nose.
A simple toner can be used after the bandage has been removed. However, avoid rubbing, massaging, or wiping too hard.
In the early stages following surgery, the skin in the nose can be extremely sensitive, so it is best to avoid using aggressive exfoliators.
Some patients are planning to have a rhinoplasty and a chemical peel during the same break from work in order to maximise the time they are spending home.
It might be possible to undergo a light chemical peel about one week after the nose surgery once the splint has been removed.
Your surgeon will almost certainly advise you to refrain from medium or deep peels during your recovery time. The skin is usually very sensitive after these procedures and this might interfere with the need for you to wear bandages that will be taped to your face around your nose.
Popping pimples is not recommended in any case, much less following nose surgery.
Performing this may damage the skin or the underlying structures more than it helps. Apply toner and an astringent soaked in cotton balls several times a day instead. This should clean up pimples in a gentle way.