Rhinoplasty is often considered one of the most challenging types of plastic surgery. Surgeons must have extensive knowledge of the nasal structures and their functions, along with the aesthetic skill to produce beautiful results. Also, they must be experienced in the techniques that are employed. The use of steroid injections in rhinoplasty is one such technique.
Interested in Rhinoplasty?
Dr. Vincent Marin performs a rhinoplasty on patients who want to enhance the appearance of their noses. A nose job is also beneficial to patients who health-related issues with their noses, such as deviated septum.
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Rhinoplasty in San Diego
When people think of steroid injections, they may initially think of bodybuilders or professional athletes, but there are many different types of steroid injections, all for various purposes.
In rhinoplasty, steroid injections (called corticosteroids) are simply a potent anti-inflammatory agent that helps reduce the volume of the soft tissue. This reduces post-surgical swelling and the potential for scar tissue formation. Here is a piece of general information that will help patients understand more about steroid injections and rhinoplasty.
Types of Steroids
As mentioned previously, there are many different types of steroids, and the choice of steroids is not limited to just one in rhinoplasty. The most popular kind of steroid injections used in both rhinoplasty and rhinoplasty revision is cortisone. Most people have heard of cortisone and its ability to reduce inflammation, swelling, and general pain.
Another type of steroid often used in rhinoplasty is triamcinolone (Kenalog), a synthetic steroid that also helps with inflammation. One interesting fact about Kenalog is the amount that is injected varies depending on the amount of scar tissue and the amount of swelling in a particular patient. This means that the dosage needed will vary from individual to individual, giving surgeons the ability to personalize the process.
Why Surgeons Use Steroids
The main reason surgeons use steroid injections in rhinoplasty is to reduce swelling. Any time the skin is cut, it results in swelling. Since the nose is so sensitive and plays such an essential role in breathing, it’s critical to manage to swell.
Steroids are also used to prevent scar tissue from forming. After surgery, it’s natural for scar tissue to develop, and it’s nearly impossible to eliminate all scar tissue. However, steroids can reduce the amount of potential scar tissue. Additionally, steroids can treat old scar tissue.
Protecting Your Nose After Rhinoplasty
There are different ways on how to keep the surgical site protected after rhinoplasty. Dr. Marin provided some of it in this article.
Read the article here
Timing and Amount of Injections
Many of Dr. Marin’s patients wonder how many steroid injections will be necessary. This is a great question, and the answer is it depends on the individual. As a general rule, most patients will require steroid injections within the first one to four months of surgery. Most patients will need more than one steroid injection to get the full benefits of steroid injections.
The timing of steroid injections will depend on how quickly the nose is healing. During follow-up appointments, Dr. Marin will monitor the patient’s healing process and recommend steroid injections as needed.
*The content in this blog is developed to spread the awareness towards plastic surgery. Our blog is not intended to serve as a replacement for an actual in-office consultation with Dr. Marin. As such, the information within this blog reflects the unique cases of our individual patients.
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