WHY YOU DON’T WANT TO SKIP OUT ON SKINCARE AFTER PLASTIC SURGERY
Healing from any surgery is an active process. Rest is certainly required, but so is home treatment. Often, there are exercises, massages, medications, and so on that help you recover better.
This can be especially true when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Ultimately, you underwent this procedure for aesthetic purposes. If you don’t take an active role in your recovery, all the pain and expense could be for nothing.
Skincare is vitally important to recovery from cosmetic surgery. Virtually every cosmetic procedure involves skin in one form or another. Breast augmentations require incisions, as do liposuctions. You must stay vigilant about your skincare to protect your beauty enhancements.
SKINCARE AFTER PLASTIC SURGERY
Here are some potential problems you could develop without proper skincare after cosmetic surgery.
Discoloration
This is one of the biggest problems that can result from improper skincare. We will focus on it here, but it will appear again and again throughout this article.
Cuts do not always heal smoothly. As skin reattaches, there are often changes in color around the cuts. They can be drastically noticeable, but they can also be a faint shadow around the scar. This is especially true if the skin around the wound is red.
Prevention is your best defense against discoloration around a healed wound.
Baby your skin as it heals. Use only mild, hypoallergenic products. Find moisturizers that are free of any fragrances, dyes, and so on. There are many soap-free cleansers on the market as well. Use only these on your wounds, making sure they are also free of scents and dyes.
Sun Damage
Too much direct sunlight can cause scarring and, again, discoloration. While recovering, try to avoid direct contact with the sunlight as much as you can, especially on your healing wounds. If you must go out, bring a strong sunscreen. You want one that blocks both alpha and beta rays. Most sunscreens between SPF 30 and 40 should work, but check their labels to be sure. There are higher SPF sunscreens available, but they can block pores, which could cause more skin problems around your healing wounds.
Scarring
Any time your skin breaks, there is a risk of scarring. As your cosmetic surgery wounds heal, leave them alone as much as you can. Keep them clean; follow your doctor’s advice; and buy some anti-scarring gel. Beyond that, leave them alone. Let them heal naturally, and whatever you do, don’t pick at them.
Drying Out
Tending a wound is a delicate balance of hydration. On one hand, you don’t want it overly hydrated, making it harder for skin to reattach. On the other, leaving it dry leads to our old friends scarring and discoloration. Consult your doctor about keeping your skin appropriately moist during healing.
One way to keep skin from drying is from the inside out. Stay hydrated as you heal. Proper hydration helps the body on many levels beyond dry skin. Keep a little water on you at all times, and drink plenty as soon as you wake up in the morning.
Stay in Contact with Your Doctor
The best way to keep your skin in good shape is to follow your doctor’s advice. Don’t be afraid to contact them with questions or concerns. A good cosmetic surgeon cares about their patient’s recovery, and they shouldn’t be bothered when you reach out.
West Coast Plastic Surgery Center is here to answer your questions about cosmetic surgery and recovery. To schedule an appointment, call (805) 978-8545, or fill out our online contact form.
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