How Long Does a Nose Job Take to Heal?

A nose job, or rhinoplasty surgery, is one of the most transformative cosmetic procedures. Whether you’re hoping to sharpen your features, repair a past injury or enhance your respiratory function, knowing what to expect during the healing process is important. Preparing for life after a facial plastic surgery helps you recover more comfortably and with confidence.

This takes time, patience is essential. Each phase of recovery, starting with swelling and ending with the end result, is critical. In this guide, we’ll give you the lowdown on the types of nose jobs, the nose job surgery process, what your recovery timeline looks like, and some tips for a smooth and successful post-op healing process.

What is a nose job?

A nose job, medically termed as rhinoplasty, refers to a surgical procedure that will reshape and or reconstruct your nose. It can be done for cosmetic reasons as well as to facilitate breathing by correcting structural problems such as a deviated nasal septum.

Different types of rhinoplasty address various concerns:

Cosmetic Rhinoplasty: Designed to enhance the aesthetic of the nose by rearranging its structure.
Septoplasty: This simple procedure is typically performed to fix a deviated septum that can be limiting airflow that causes breathing difficulties.
Revision Rhinoplasty: A procedure performed on the nose of a patient who has previously undergone rhinoplasty in order to correct or improve the result of the original procedure. It’s usually performed when a patient is dissatisfied with the results or suffers breathing problems following the initial procedure.

What does a rhinoplasty procedure involve?

In rhinoplasty, the surgeon reshapes and adjusts the framework of your nose through cartilage and nasal bone. The process usually takes 1 to 3 hours and is done under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation.

What’s the difference between open and closed rhinoplasty?

Open rhinoplasty: Requires a small incision between the nostrils, providing the surgeon with better visibility for more extensive reshaping. This is a more gradual process which may take longer for healing.
Closed rhinoplasty: The incisions are made within the nostrils, leaving no visible scarring and requiring a shorter recovery period.

How long does it take to recover from rhinoplasty?

The average rhinoplasty recovery time progresses slowly, and the swollen nasal tissue and bruising are most prominent in the initial weeks. Many people can resume work in a couple of weeks, but the end results take time to fully develop.

Cosmetic rhinoplasty recovery timeline

Week 1: Swelling and bruising reach their peak.
Month 1: Major swelling goes down and results become more visible.
Month 3: Swelling reduces by 70-80%.
Month 6: The nose continues refining in shape.
Year 1: Final results become fully visible.

Septoplasty recovery timeline

Week 1: Swelling and congestion is common.
Month 1: Swelling goes down and breathing regulates.
Month 3: Clearing nasal passages.
Month 6: Major swelling fades.
Year 1: Full healing is complete.

Revision rhinoplasty recovery timeline

Week 1: Swelling and bruising is expected.
Month 1: The swelling and bruising begin to go away.
Month 3: Reshaping starts to be visible.
Month 6: Further refinements appear.
Year 1: The final results are visible.

What factors affect nose job healing times?

A couple of factors that may have an effect on the rhinoplasty recovery process:

Surgical technique: Open rhinoplasty, in general, is more time-consuming than closed rhinoplasty.
Overall health: Eating a nutritious diet, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding smoking can aid in recovery.
Post-operative care: Following your plastic surgeon’s aftercare instructions will determine how well you heal.

Follow your surgeon’s instructions

Your doctor will give you guidelines about medication and restrictions on cleaning and activity. Sticking to your doctor’s instructions will allow your nasal surgery to heal properly.

Manage swelling

For the first 48 hours, apply cold compresses to reduce facial swelling.
Sleeping with your head elevated helps fluids drain away from the nose.
Stay away from salty foods because it can cause water retention and exacerbate swelling.

Protect your nose

Do not touch or bump your nose even accidentally.
Skip strenuous exercises until getting cleared by your doctor.
Wear button-up shirts instead of pulling clothes overhead.
If you wear glasses, tape or a forehead support should be used to avoid the pressure on the nose area for at least 4-6 weeks.

If you are a CPAP user for sleep apnea, discuss with your surgeon your best options on how to safely continue to use the CPAP during recovery.

FAQs

How long does bruising last after a nose job?

Bruising is visible after approximately a week, but is greatly reduced after two weeks. Some slight bruising can last for up to a month.

When can I blow my nose after rhinoplasty?

If possible, do not blow your nose for the first 3 to 4 weeks, it can simply puts too much strain on the suture lines of the nasal structures and place the patient at risk for a number of complications.

Can I wear glasses during nose job recovery?

No glasses resting on the nose for 4 to 6 weeks. If you do, keep the nasal bridge from being pressed in by using special supports or tape, if necessary.

How long before I see the final results of my rhinoplasty?

After 3 to 6 months, the most noticeable improvements are seen, but the final anatomy of the nose can continue to evolve for up to 1 year after the nose surgery.