Dr. David Broadway, Denver, Colorado cosmetic surgeon, understands that the post-operative period can be difficult for his patients. The healing process after receiving any type of surgery can bring with it a period of being unhappy with the way you look as your body is recovering. Sometimes patients may experience a short period of depression as their bodies begin to heal, and they may find it difficult to see past the temporary side effects of their surgery.
There is help
Don’t be discouraged. There are camouflage cosmetics available that can help lessen or hide those marks and can be used by women, men or teens who have undergone cosmetic surgery. Ask your surgeon when it will be appropriate for you to begin using these post-surgery helpers.
Usually within a couple of days after your surgery, or once the cast has been removed if you have undergone nose surgery (rhinoplasty), you can begin using these camouflage methods. For incision scars, you must wait until the stitches have been removed and the incision has closed and sealed completely. If you have received a chemical peel or dermabrasion treatments, you must wait until the healing crust is gone before applying any makeup to the area.
The best cosmetic camouflages
· Concealers should be opaque and waterproof for best results. They
should also be a creamy consistency so they can be applied gently with
no strain on the sensitive skin. Concealers should closely match your
normal skin tone. These are the best cosmetics for covering skin
imperfections after eyelid surgery or facelifts and for other discoloration around incisions and general bruising.
· Color correctors are used for reddened or yellowed skin. Lavender and
green tints are the best for neutralizing discoloration of bruised
skin. Lavender works well for yellow tones, while green covers red
tones nicely.
· Contouring make-up is usually a type of foundation or pressed powder
and is used to disguise swelling. This make-up aids in creating
highlights and shadows until the swelling from nose surgery or facial
implants diminishes. You can create the illusion of higher cheekbones,
minimize the swelling in your chin or make your nose appear narrower
until swelling from surgery has subsided. The best choice is one that
is two shades lighter and one that is two shades darker than your
normal foundation or skin tone.
Cosmetics used to camouflage the post-surgical imperfections during your healing process are generally made of a thicker, more adherent substance than standard makeup. For this reason, it is essential that you remove it every night with a gentle cleansing cream. After removal, use a gentle toner that contains no alcohol and apply a moisturizer that is made for your individual skin type. Any removal or applications should be done with soft cotton balls to avoid further irritation to the healing skin.
Need more information on post-surgery tips?
Please contact Dr. David Broadway and his Skin Essentials team at the Broadway Center for Plastic Surgery for more information on post-surgery cosmetic camouflage techniques.
