Bathing After Rhinoplasty
Dr. Hamidreza Hosnani
ENT Specialist | Rhinoplasty Surgeon in Tehran | Nose Surgery Specialist
After surgery, you will have a plastic splint on your nose for about one week, and it must not get wet. Therefore, you cannot shower in your usual way. Do not shower alone during this period.
After rhinoplasty, as long as the splint is on your face, it is better to wash your hair using a salon sink or by sitting on a chair and washing the hair from behind, as described on this website.
If you need to take a shower during this week, you should ask someone to accompany and help you in the bathroom.
This is because if you try to wash your hair by yourself, you may have to bend your head forward, which can cause the nasal splint to get wet.
After rhinoplasty, the nasal splint is usually secured on the nose using special medical tapes. First, tape is applied to the patient’s nose in layers to help reduce swelling and allow the skin to settle better over the new nasal framework. Then the splint is placed on the nose and fixed with several wide strips of tape from both sides and over the top. These tapes prevent the splint from moving and keep it firmly attached to the nose. In some cases, molded thermoplastic splints are softened with heat and shaped precisely to the patient’s nasal form, providing greater strength and stability. In this way, the splint protects the nose properly until it is removed by the surgeon.
When cleaning your face during the first week after rhinoplasty, be careful not to wet the nasal splint. Otherwise, it may cause skin irritation and discomfort during that week.
Since during these first few days you are usually drowsy because of painkillers, be careful not to fall in the bathroom, especially if you are using a bathtub.
The water used for bathing should be lukewarm, because if the water is too hot, it may cause dizziness. While bathing, try not to bend your head downward as much as possible. It is better to take a shower the night before surgery and wash your hair and body thoroughly so that you do not need to bathe one or two days after the operation.
How Should You Shower After Rhinoplasty?
From the second day onward, to wash your hair, you can sit on a chair or plastic stool in the bathroom. Tilt your head backward and ask someone to wash your hair. Ask your helper to check the water temperature first. Once you are sure the water temperature is suitable, you can proceed with washing.
After rhinoplasty, as long as the splint is on your face, it is better to wash your hair using a salon sink or by sitting on a chair and washing the hair from behind, as described on this website.
Be Careful Not to Get the Nasal Splint Wet