Swimming, water sports or simply getting your face wet after rhinoplasty
By Dr. Raymond Goh
This is a question I often hear from my rhinoplasty patients: “When can I go swimming or get my face wet after surgery?”
It’s a great question, especially for our sun-loving Queensland residents who are eager to get back to the beach or pool. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand but still gives you all the important details.
First things first: patience is key. Your nose needs time to heal properly, and rushing back into the water too soon can compromise your results or even lead to complications. And the big caveat is that every patient’s healing journey is unique and my advice to each patient is therefore individualised on a case-by-case scenario. My recommendations will vary based on your overall health, and how well you follow post-operative instructions.
Generally speaking, most patients need to wait at least 6 weeks before submerging their face in water. But let’s get into the specifics.
The First Few Weeks: Keep It Relatively Dry
After your surgery, you may begin showering, gently washing your face and shampooing your hair again. Try to keep the nose area dry if possible. For the first week after surgery, it’s crucial to keep your nose and the surrounding area relatively dry. This means no swimming, no showers directly on your face, and being extra careful when washing your face. Why? Because your incisions are still healing, and excess moisture can increase the risk of infection or affect the way your nose heals.
After the first week, you’ll likely come in for a follow-up appointment where we’ll remove any external splints or dressings. Your nose will be re taped. You can continue to gently wash your face, but still avoid directing water onto your nose. Showers are okay, but tilt your head back to keep water off your nose.
Weeks 2-4: Gradual Introduction to water
Around the 2-3 week mark, most patients can start to get their face completely wet in the shower. However, we still want to avoid any pressure on the nose, so no diving into water or using a washcloth on your nose just yet. If you’re desperate for a swim, you might be able to wade in chest-deep water, keeping your face above the surface. But remember, no submerging your head!
6 Weeks: Testing the waters
This is typically the earliest I recommend patients consider doing any type of vigorous activity including swimming or fully submerging their face in water. By this time, most of the initial healing has taken place, and the risk of infection has significantly decreased. Avoiding vigorous exercise also assists in managing the swelling that occurs in your nose following a rhinoplasty surgery. Even if you’re at this 6-week mark, it is still crucial to get the all-clear from me or another member of our clinical team before you take the plunge.
6 Weeks and Beyond: Dive In (With Care…)
After the 6-week mark, most patients may be able to resume normal swimming activities. However, there are still a few precautions to keep in mind:
- Avoid diving or jumping into water for at least 3 months to prevent impact to your nose.
- If you’re swimming in a pool, be aware that chlorine might cause some irritation. Rinse your face with fresh water after swimming.
- For ocean swimming, be mindful of waves and other swimmers to avoid accidental bumps to your nose.
- Continue to be gentle when drying your face after swimming.
Remember, these are general guidelines. Every patient’s healing process is unique, and factors like the extent of your surgery, your overall health, and how well you follow post-operative instructions can all influence when it’s safe for you to swim.
The most important thing is to communicate with your clinical team. If you have a special event coming up or a beach holiday planned, have a chat to our nursing team; we can work with you to ensure you’re healing well and give you specific advice for your situation.
Rhinoplasty is a journey, and while the idea of staying out of the water might seem challenging, remember that it’s a small sacrifice for a short amount of time. Before you know it, you’ll be back to enjoying all your favourite water activities!
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Note: Individual results will vary according to several factors, including genetics, age, diet & exercise. All surgeries carry risk & require an appropriate recovery period & aftercare regime which may include wearing compression garments or modifying your lifestyle post-operatively. You should seek a second opinion from a Specialist Surgeon before proceeding. More information about these risks and aftercare can be easily found on our website here:
