What Halloween Costume Pieces Should I Avoid After a Nose Job?

Costumes are an important part of the Halloween tradition. However, if you've recently had a nose job, you might need to alter your costume until your nose has fully healed.

According to Dr. Becker, your rhinoplasty can take anywhere from six months to a year to heal completely. If Halloween lands right in the middle of your recovery period, make sure to avoid these potentially dangerous costume pieces.

Glasses
Has the bridge of your nose ever felt sore after wearing glasses all day? This pressure isn't normally a big deal, but it can actually be quite damaging after a rhinoplasty. Your cartilage is still healing, and excess pressure could permanently deform the bridge of your nose.

Most patients who get a nose job switch to contacts for the duration of the recovery period. If you need your glasses to see, the Mayo Clinic recommends taping the glasses to your forehead or using a special cheek rest. Some patients carry their glasses with them and only put them on when they need to read something.

When it comes to Halloween costumes, it's best to avoid the glasses entirely. Even the light plastic frames that come with many costumes may still put too much pressure on your face. Choose a character who doesn't traditionally wear glasses or sunglasses - you can dress up as the Fonz next year.

Septum Jewelry
Septum piercings can look amazing, but they aren't safe until your rhinoplasty has completely healed. If you already have a piercing, your doctor will probably recommend that you leave the body jewelry behind for the duration of the recovery process.

Some Halloween costumes come with fake septum jewelry that you can clip onto the side of your nose. Even if the item is extremely lightweight, you should still leave it out of your final costume. The extra pressure won't do your nose any favors, and small obstructions will make it even more difficult to breathe.

Septum jewelry should especially be avoided if you've recently had a nasal tip plasty. This type of nose job focuses entirely on the tip of the nose - the same area where nose rings tend to clip on.

Makeup
Makeup should always be avoided for the first few weeks after your nose job. Although it might be tempting to cover up any bruising or swelling, your makeup brush will do more harm than good.

The process of applying makeup inevitably involves putting pressure on your skin. Even if you use a very light hand, you still might press on the cartilage and push something out of place. Heavy Halloween makeup poses more of a risk than a normal foundation or concealer.

Pressure aside, the main issue with makeup is that it could cause an infection. Your skin is extremely sensitive immediately after a rhinoplasty. Applying makeup or other foreign substances could contaminate the wound and cause permanent skin damage.

NewBeauty recommends waiting three to four weeks to put on makeup after your nose job. If you aren't sure, ask your doctor for clearance.

Face Masks
Nearly every kind of Halloween mask puts some amount of pressure on your nose. For this particular Halloween, the safest solution is to leave your face completely uncovered.

Masquerade-style masks sit on the bridge of your nose, much like a pair of glasses. You might be able to hold them up with cheek rests, but make sure that the weight is completely off your nose.

Faceplate masks usually have a strap that goes around the back of your head. These masks exert flat pressure on the front of your nose. Your cartilage will definitely not be ready for pressure from this unusual angle, so avoid these masks entirely.

Rubber masks that cover your entire head are probably too heavy to wear after your nose job. Any pressure on your nose or around your eyes could disrupt the healing process.

Masks also restrict airflow and may cause strenuous breathing. David Shaye from the Harvard Health Blog notes that breathing is already difficult after a rhinoplasty; there's no need to exacerbate the problem with a mask.

Rubber Prosthetics
Modern Halloween makeup can get surprisingly intricate. Although a pointy witch's nose or a rubber animal snout might make for a hilarious costume, these items are definitely not safe to use after a nose job.

As with masks, glasses, and other costume pieces, the main issue with prosthetic noses is the pressure they place on your bridge. Prosthetic noses are particularly dangerous because they place the weight entirely on your nose; there is almost no way to attach a prosthetic nose that won't put pressure on the site of your recent surgery.

This warning extends to any kind of makeup prosthetic that attaches around your eyes or on your upper cheeks. In addition to the pressure, the makeup used to cover up the prosthetic could cause an infection. Check with your doctor if you're not sure about the safety of your costume idea.

Choosing a Halloween Costume That's Safe to Wear
Halloween is an important social event, and a healing nose doesn't mean that you have to miss out on the fun. There are plenty of Halloween costumes that won't put any pressure on your nose at all.

Try dressing up as a character who isn't defined by their unique facial features. Wigs, hats, and outfits are still completely fair game. This also might be a great year to do something special with your hair.

If your costume demands makeup, remember to avoid the area around your nose and under your eyes. You can still safely use face paint on your cheeks, forehead, and neck.

To make your costume more distinctive, look for fun props that will enhance your look. Stuffed animals, rubber weapons, and even glittery costume jewelry are all fun and safe options.

Since nose jobs only take a year to heal, this should be the only Halloween that you have to worry about your costume choice. Save your masks, makeup, and other costume ideas for next year; they'll look amazing with the new shape of your nose.