Preparing correctly for your procedure and knowing what you can and cannot do before facial plastic surgery is critical for optimal healing. When you are having plastic surgery, it pays to pay heed to pre-and post-care recommendations, especially if you want the best results possible. Lifestyle adjustments and following guidelines are often necessary before surgery, which can mean putting your daily regimen and some of your anti-aging and skin care treatments on hold.
What You Can and Cannot Do Before Facial Plastic Surgery
Before Facial Plastic Surgery, Stop:
- If you happen to use retinol or Retin-A as part of your daily regimen, make sure you stop five to seven days before your scheduled surgery. Otherwise, you risk irritating your skin.
- Do you use a wrinkle relaxer? If so, put wrinkle relaxers on hold three weeks before surgery.
- Before eye and facial surgery, it is best to skip skin resurfacing treatments. Otherwise, it could interfere with the healing process.
- Avoiding filler injections before surgery is also recommended since it can negatively affect the results of surgery.
- If you are using Accutane (isotretinoin), it is advised that you stop taking this medication six months before surgery because it can negatively affect your body’s ability to heal wounds.
- Just like any surgery, you will likely have to stop drinking and eating the night before surgery. Generally, you will be given specific instructions at your pre-operative appointment.
- Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes before surgery can increase the risk of surgical complications. It is recommended that you do not drink alcohol for at least three days before surgery, and cigarettes should cease two to six weeks before surgery.
What You Can Do Before Facial Plastic Surgery:
- If you use at-home microcurrent treatments, you are in the clear. Microcurrent treatments are okay to do, within reason, since they are easy on the skin.
- You are okay to pamper your skin with facials before surgery, especially those focusing on light exfoliation and hydration.
- Using LED light therapy, facial rollers, and facial masks are all okay to do before and after facial plastic surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Retinol and Retin-A can irritate the skin, which may interfere with the healing process after facial plastic surgery. It is recommended to stop using these products five to seven days before your scheduled procedure to minimize skin irritation and promote optimal recovery.
Wrinkle relaxers should be put on hold at least three weeks before facial plastic surgery. This precaution helps ensure that the surgery results are not negatively affected and that the skin can heal properly after the procedure.
It is recommended to avoid filler injections before facial plastic surgery because they can negatively affect the surgical results. Filler can alter the facial structure and interfere with the surgeon’s ability to achieve the desired outcome.
Patients should stop taking Accutane (isotretinoin) at least six months before facial plastic surgery. Accutane can impair the body’s ability to heal wounds, so discontinuing it well in advance helps reduce the risk of complications and promotes better healing.
Yes, it is important to avoid drinking alcohol for at least three days before surgery and to stop smoking cigarettes two to six weeks prior. Both alcohol and smoking can increase the risk of surgical complications and negatively affect the healing process.
At-home microcurrent treatments, light exfoliation facials, hydration facials, LED light therapy, facial rollers, and facial masks are generally safe to continue before facial plastic surgery. These treatments are gentle on the skin and do not interfere with healing.
Skin resurfacing treatments should be avoided before facial plastic surgery because they can interfere with the healing process. These treatments may cause skin irritation or damage that could complicate recovery and affect surgical outcomes.
