Rhinoplasty Recovery Tips: Taping and Massage Techniques
Small Steps That Make a Big Difference in Your Recovery
At Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery, we believe that a successful rhinoplasty result depends not only on the skill of the surgeon, but also on how well patients care for their nose during the recovery process.
Two of the most effective and accessible methods to reduce post-rhinoplasty swelling and support optimal healing are nose taping and post-rhinoplasty massage.
Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Balikian shares his trusted step-by-step instructions for both techniques, helping patients navigate recovery after rhinoplasty with confidence.
Why Post-Rhinoplasty Care Matters
Post-rhinoplasty recovery is a critical phase where swelling, tissue reshaping, and healing occur. Swelling, particularly in the supratip and bridge areas, can delay results and cause discomfort if not properly managed.
Dr. Balikian emphasizes that post-rhinoplasty swelling is the most common concern after surgery, and addressing it early and consistently leads to smoother outcomes and more refined results.
Taping the Nose After Rhinoplasty
Nose taping is one of the most effective methods to reduce swelling and support skin re-draping in the early stages of recovery. This technique begins immediately after the nasal splint is removed, when the nose is especially vulnerable to swelling.
Dr. Balikian recommends using Micropore Tape, a gentle, breathable medical tape that provides mild compression without irritating the skin. Patients are instructed to cut small strips of tape and apply them with firm pressure starting just above the tip of the nose and working upward along the bridge. The tape is overlapped slightly as it moves up the nose and then secured along the sides to further guide swelling away from the central nasal structure.
This technique should be performed daily for about three weeks or until the one-month post-op follow-up appointment. While patients can remove the tape for social or professional engagements, the more consistently the tape is worn during downtime or overnight, the more effective it will be at managing post-rhinoplasty swelling.
For patients with thicker skin or stubborn supratip swelling, Dr. Balikian may recommend an additional stretchier tape to apply extra pressure in that specific area for a few hours in the evening.
How to Massage the Nose After Rhinoplasty
Once the nose has stabilized, usually around one month after surgery, post-rhinoplasty massage becomes a key tool in promoting faster healing and long-term refinement. This technique helps move retained fluid, increases circulation, and assists in reducing lingering puffiness.
Dr. Balikian instructs patients to perform nose massage twice daily, in the morning and evening, for about two minutes per session. The massage is divided into two one-minute segments:
- The first minute focuses on the bridge and supratip area. Using the fingers, patients should apply firm but comfortable pressure in a downward motion, working to flatten swelling and stimulate blood flow.
- The second minute targets the sides of the nose. Using the pinky fingers, patients massage gently from the top of the nasal sidewalls down to the cheeks, encouraging lymphatic drainage and softening the tissues.
Combined with taping and other treatments such as the Nose Perfect or steroid injections (when necessary), nose massage offers patients a proactive way to accelerate their rhinoplasty recovery.
Expert Guidance from Dr. Balikian
Dr. Richard Balikian’s commitment to patient education extends beyond the operating room. His approach to post-rhinoplasty care is designed to empower patients with simple, surgeon-approved tools that make a big difference in their outcomes.
Whether it’s learning to tape the nose properly or developing a daily massage routine, these small habits can greatly influence the final result of your rhinoplasty.
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Dr. Balikian is an experienced, double board-certified, facial plastic surgeon. He is double board-certified both in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Balikian belongs to a very select group of elite cosmetic surgeons with at least six years of specialized surgical training exclusively in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck.
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
