If you are considering or have recently undergone rhinoplasty – or a nose job – it’s normal to be feeling a little concerned about the potential for scar tissue after the surgery. The appearance of scar tissue is a somewhat common side effect of rhinoplasty and can remain noticeable if not given proper attention.
Fortunately, there are steps that you can take both before and after your surgery to prevent scarring or minimize its appearance in case it does happen. In this blog post, we’ll explore what causes scar tissue and how to treat it so you can be confident that your results will look their best.
Scar tissue after rhinoplasty is usually caused by a few key factors. The most common one is tension on the skin during the healing process, which can cause your body to produce too much collagen in an effort to repair the wound. This extra collagen can lead to thicker-than-normal scar tissue that can be painful and difficult to get rid of.
Insufficient incisions, or cutting too deeply into the skin, can also create excess scarring. Finally, improper wound care after surgery could leave you exposed to infection, which can lead to additional scarring. By understanding what causes scar tissue after rhinoplasty, you can take proactive steps to minimize its appearance.
Scar tissue can form anywhere on the nose where there is an incision. This means it can show up in the middle of the bridge of your nose, near the nostrils, or around the tip of your nose. If you have a closed rhinoplasty (a procedure where all incisions are made inside your nostrils), you’re less likely to have visible scarring on the outside of your nose.
However, open rhinoplasties (where some incisions are made externally) can often result in visible scarring that may be more pronounced depending on how much manipulation was required during surgery.
Scars never completely disappear, but under normal circumstances, your body is very effective at naturally healing and fading them.
After about a week, you should start seeing a noticeable difference in the visibility of cars and – depending on your skin colour – it may take from 3 to 6 months for them to fade to their final appearance.
It’s possible to reduce the visibility and texture of scar tissue to a nearly imperceptible level over time, and the use of light makeup can usually completely cover them.
The most effective way to prevent visible scars after surgery is to choose a plastic surgeon with extensive experience in rhinoplasty. There is simply no substitute for a well-trained and experienced surgeon who knows how to perform the procedure with the utmost care.
Our consultant facial plastic surgeon, Mr Taimur Shoaib, has performed over 19000 surgeries over his career, and his main focus is rhinoplasty, for which he has received several industry awards. We can confidently say that you will be in good hands if you choose to have your nose surgery at our clinic.
The best way to minimize scars after nose surgery is to follow your doctor’s instructions for post-operative care. This includes avoiding sun exposure, keeping the incision area clean, and using any medications or ointments as prescribed. Additionally, in the weeks following surgery, you should sleep with your head elevated and avoid any strenuous activity that might strain the area.
Using these strategies can help keep swelling and bruising under control while also minimizing the amount of scarring. In some cases, doctors may recommend special creams or scalpels specifically designed to help reduce scarring.
Surgical intervention can help in serious certain cases but is not recommended for smaller scars as every new procedure comes with additional risks as well. Patients can turn to non-invasive treatments such as steroid injections. These methods can help reduce the appearance of scar tissue, but they take time and patience to be truly effective.
For patients with large and highly visible scar tissues, revision rhinoplasty may be a solution. Each case requires careful examination during the initial consultation, and your surgeon will discuss what are the realistic expectations for improvement.
For scar treatment, the revision procedure will usually involve removing the majority of the scar tissue and suturing the area to bring it back into alignment. This should result in a smoother and more natural-looking nose.
Here’s what you need to know about the different types of rhinoplasty that can be performed to change the shape and size of your nose to create a more natural and aesthetic look.
MORE INFO
What causes bruising after undergoing a rhinoplasty and also the best tips on what can be done to minimise your bruising to aid your recovery before your 7 days post operative appointment.
MORE INFO