Facelift surgery can take 1-2 weeks to heal enough to put on makeup and return to the office. Here are 11 tips to heal faster and hide your surgery:
– homeopathic medicines before and after surgery
– avoid anticoagulants before and after surgery
– get optimal skin care before surgery
– body position immediately after surgery, including icing immediately after surgery
– check your high blood pressure before and after surgery
– use antibiotic cream
– change your hairstyle immediately after surgery, grow your hair long or get extensions
– use anti-bruise cream
– avoid vigorous exercise immediately after surgery
– use makeup over areas of bruising and swelling
Even before undergoing surgery, some people find that Arnica, a homeopathic medicine, can help reduce swelling and bruising. You should take 1-2 tablets the night before surgery and several tablets after surgery to help with healing. Arnica cream, applied immediately after surgery to bruised areas, can also help reduce pain and swelling.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, and even certain foods and supplements can thin your blood and cause more bruising and swelling right after surgery. In order to obtain the fastest healing possible, you should consult with your Plastic Surgeon about what medications and foods to avoid, before and after your facelift.
Optimal Skin Care primarily includes prescription medications such as Retin-A, hydroquinone, glycolic soap and scrubs, and other lotions. Excellent skin care before surgery allows your collagen to be more organized and thicker, so it can heal faster after surgery. This should start at least 1-2 months before your facelift.
Immediately after surgery, your body position should be optimized to reduce swelling and bruising as well. Your head should be elevated and above the level of your heart. You may also want to rest your head on pillows.
You should have ice packs or cold packs available to place on your face to reduce swelling.
Patients with high blood pressure should monitor and control their blood pressure before and after surgery. Don’t forget your high blood pressure medications! High blood pressure can contribute to swelling immediately after surgery and help lower blood pressure with medication.
You will probably be instructed to use an antibiotic cream immediately after surgery to help the incisions heal. It is important to do this consistently, because this cream will help your incision heal faster and form less scar tissue.
Changing your hair style right after your facelift is a nice distraction. Your friends and family will be visually directed towards a change of hair color, extensions or a different cut. You may want to wear your hair longer than usual before surgery, as longer hair after surgery can help hide surgical sites. Longer hair over the forehead can distract from the brow lift, and hair over the ear areas can hide ear incisions.
You want to avoid exercise for several weeks until your plastic surgeon says it’s okay. Exercise increases your heart rate and blood pressure, which increases bleeding and swelling in the surgical areas. You should wait until your incisions have healed before exercising.
Wearing makeup is also an alternative. Again, you should ask your Plastic Surgeon when you can apply makeup to your facelift areas, which may hide or camouflage your surgery.
Consult with your plastic surgeon to discuss in depth your individualized plan for recovering from your face lift surgery.