Following facial surgery, a patient’s face is vulnerable to all sorts of harm. To keep it safe and to help the recovery process go smoothly, there are a few important things patients have to remember.
First, patients should stick to their physicians’ prescribed medications. There will be a few instructions as to when to take the medications and how many at a time. These instructions should be followed as strictly as possible. Patients should also keep in mind that when cleaning the area that had undergone surgery, they should do so with great care. Patients should also choose mild, hypoallergenic cleansers and fragrance-less moisturizers to lessen irritation.
Second, to lower the risk of damage from the sun, doctors instruct patients to stay indoors as much as they can during the recovery period. However, if patients need to leave the house for one reason or another, sunscreens with SPF 30 or 40 is enough to protect their skin. Patients should never go for SPF 50 or higher since these stronger sunscreens may end up blocking pores.
Finally, patients should always stay hydrated. This helps the body heal the wounds faster from the inside, and flushes out toxins that are potentially harmful to the skin. Eight glasses of water are recommended, as always.
Tup Ingram, M.D., is a reconstructive and plastic surgeon based and currently holding practice in Nashville, Tennessee. He is currently involved with the American Medical Association, Tennessee Medical Association, and American Academy for Cosmetic Surgery. More articles like this here.