Having cosmetic or plastic surgery is a big step towards improving the look and feel of your skin. For the best results and a speedy recovery, it’s important that you take special care of your skin in the first few days and weeks following any cosmetic surgery procedure.
Taking care of your skin at home will depend too on the actual cosmetic procedure you have undergone. In any case, make sure you speak to your surgeon before surgery for the best ways to care for your skin post operation.
There is a range of cosmetic procedures and they all vary in how they affect the skin from surgical procedures including eye lifts and face lifts to microdermabrasion. You will be able to return to your normal skin care regime faster following a non-invasive cosmetic procedure than you would following a surgical procedure that does more *damage* to your skin.
The distinctions between procedures is whether the skin is intact or has been left open. No matter what you need to stop using skin care products for three days after ANY procedure.
Procedures that leave you with intact skin include
- Fillers or Botox
- Microdermabrasion
- Mild chemical peels.
Procedures that leave you with open wounds or broken skin are
- Deep chemical peels
- Surgical procedures such as eye lifts and face lifts
The 4 skin care rules for caring for your skin after a procedure are;
- Baby your skin, to look good following your procedure you want to heal without any discoloration if your skin is red make sure you use mild hypoallergenic products and fragrance-free moisturisers.
- The first few days following your procedure try and avoid being out in the direct sun. If you do have to go out in the sun use a sunscreen that blocks both alpha and beta sun rays. A sunblock with an SPF of 30 or 40 is sufficient.
- Give your wounds time to heal, it doesn’t matter how *tempted* you are to pick at scabs or peeling skin after surgery don’t. Some people think it will help aid in the healing process it won’t, what you may end up doing is cause scarring and increase your chances of developing an infection.
- Keep well hydrated. It doesn’t matter if you have had a full-face lift, or just some minor procedure drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water each day will help to rejuvenate your skin from the inside and flush any toxins through your system.
Caring for your face after a facelift
Taking care of your skin following a facelift is a little more difficult because you need to deal with swelling, treat your wounds and try and keep up with your everyday skin care to achieve the best results.
To help minimise swelling use cold compresses or ice, especially in the first 3 days following your surgery, and, sleeping with your head elevated above your heart will also help avoid any increased swelling during the night.
As for any bruising ask your plastic surgeon for recommendations that can help minimise any discoloration and bruising.
While your face will be sore following the surgery it’s important that you continue to cleanse your skin regularly, this will help aid with healing and will also avoid any build-up in your pores that could lead to breakouts. Try washing your face with mild astringent pads to clean any sore areas without applying too much pressure. Then follow through with a gentle moisturiser that has been recommended by your surgeon.
Makeup following a face-lift
Following surgery, if your skin is intact and you have no open wounds you can start using makeup again just a few days following your procedure. Be sure to check with your surgeon first about using makeup following your surgery – when you do get the go ahead remember –
Go for mineral-based makeup, these are gentle on the skin while providing excellent coverage
If you have purple bruising or red skin following the surgery, a foundation with a green base will help balance out the colours of your skin to give you a more natural looking skin tone. Cover that with a powder about one shade darker than you usually wear for the best results
Always wash your makeup off at night, following cosmetic surgery you need to cleanse your skin regularly, especially when you are recovering from cosmetic surgery. Be extremely vigilant about washing your makeup off each night using a non-soap cleanser.
