All patients should expect some bruising after surgery, as it is part of the body’s natural response during healing. This includes deep plane facelifts, eyelid surgery, nose surgery, and even procedures that are less invasive.
The amount of bruising each person experiences is unique and will vary from person to person. And no matter how much bruising you experience personally, it will gradually fade over time.
However, sometimes those bruises are still there when you are ready to head back to work or out into the world. If you’re looking for a way to conceal your bruises, find out how makeup might be the solution for you.
What to Expect From Bruising Post-Surgery
No one likes the look of bruises, especially a facial bruise. Although your surgery will likely cause far less pain than you thought it would, it may look as bad or worse than expected, especially during the first few days after treatment.
Every patient has his or her own unique experience with surgery, so your recovery could include mild or moderate bruising in varied colors and locations. While it may be discouraging at first, remember that bruises show that healing is taking place.
The Benefits of Using Makeup to Cover Post-Surgical Bruising
Using makeup to cover bruises after surgeries, such as deep plane facelifts Miami, can provide several benefits, including:
- Restoring confidence and self-esteem: Concealing bruises can help patients feel more comfortable and confident in their appearance as they return to their daily routines.
- Facilitating social interactions: Covering bruises can make it easier for patients to interact with others without feeling self-conscious or attracting unwanted attention.
- Accelerating the return to normal activities: By disguising the evidence of surgery, patients may find it easier to resume work, attend social events, and engage in other activities without feeling self-conscious about their appearance.
How to Know Which Makeup Is Right for You
When patients are ready to get back to their daily routines, and some bruising is still lingering, the best way to cover them up is with makeup that is customized to meet these needs. Post-surgical bruises will need some good-quality makeup to cover them up. This can be tattoo concealers, bruise concealers, or everyday makeup that is carefully chosen.
You’ll want to find the right formula, consistency and thickness, and tone to suit your skin after your plastic surgery. A shade different from your skin will stand out and appear fake. The makeup you choose should easily adhere to the smooth skin of scar tissue.
It should also be a hypoallergenic formula, which is designed for sensitive skin without fragrance, dyes, or pore-clogging ingredients. If you normally have sensitive skin, then be especially careful to take extra care in choosing the right formula for your post-surgical use.
Choosing the Right Tools: Brushes, Sponges, and Other Accessories
The tools used to apply makeup can also play a significant role in achieving a natural and seamless coverage of post-surgical bruising. Some recommended tools include:
- Foam wedges: These soft, disposable sponges can provide a smooth, even application of makeup without causing irritation to the skin.
- Brushes: Synthetic brushes designed for liquid concealers can help blend the product evenly and seamlessly into the skin.
- Color-correcting palettes: These palettes contain various shades designed to neutralize and balance the colors of bruises, making them easier to conceal with foundation or concealer.
When selecting tools, prioritize quality and gentleness to ensure the best results without causing further irritation to the healing skin.
How to Use Makeup to Conceal Bruising
When you’re ready to apply your makeup, keep a few tips in mind:
- Apply your products with foam wedges to get the smoothest, most natural look.
- Pay close attention to where you have applied your makeup. And make sure it is distributed as evenly as possible.
- Begin with a thin layer of makeup, then build your coverage as needed. Adding product is much easier than removing it later.
- Be willing to try different formulas if the first makeup you try does not work the way you want it to. There are many formulas available to suit many preferences.
To effectively conceal post-surgical bruising with makeup, follow these steps:
- Cleanse and moisturize the skin: Gently cleanse the affected area with a mild cleanser and apply a lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer to hydrate and prep the skin for makeup application.
- Apply a color corrector: Use a color-correcting palette to neutralize the bruise’s color. For example, apply a green corrector to counteract redness, a yellow corrector for purple hues, and a peach or orange corrector for blue or yellow tones. Blend the corrector gently with a clean makeup sponge or gentle concealer brush.
- Apply foundation or concealer: Choose a hypoallergenic, liquid foundation or concealer that matches your skin tone. Apply a thin layer of concealer over the color corrector and blend the product seamlessly into the skin. Build coverage as needed, being careful not to apply too much product.
- Set with powder: Use a translucent powder to lock the makeup in place and ensure a long-lasting, natural finish.
- Remove makeup gently: At the end of the day, remove the makeup with a gentle, oil-free makeup remover, followed by cleansing and moisturizing the skin.
Conceal Scarring With Makeup
After the bruising has subsided you might still need to cover up post-surgical scarring. While it is okay to eventually cover these areas, you don’t want to risk infection by using makeup too early.
Talk to your surgeon about when you are able to start using makeup safely, so you don’t risk unwanted complications. After you are able to use makeup, take note of any redness, itching, or irritation on your skin. If this occurs, stop using the product right away and talk to your doctor about it.
Again, make sure you are using the right kind of makeup formula that easily adheres to scar tissue. Or your makeup will slide right off, leaving it exposed.
Get The Best Results Concealing With Makeup
Discuss any concerns you have about bruising and the healing process with your facial plastic surgeon. For the best cover-up results, spend some time before your cosmetic procedure with a makeup artist or licensed esthetician to discuss your options. A professional will be able to match your natural skin tone as closely as possible. They can also show you the most effective concealer techniques for applying your makeup.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Covering Post-Surgical Bruising with Makeup
To ensure the best results when covering post-surgical bruising with makeup, avoid these common mistakes:
- Applying makeup too soon after surgery: Consult your facial plastic surgeon about when it is safe to apply makeup to avoid infection or irritation.
- Using the wrong makeup products: Choose a lightweight formula that is liquid-based, hypoallergenic, and designed for sensitive skin without fragrance, dyes, or pore-clogging ingredients.
- Applying too much makeup: Build coverage as needed to avoid a cakey or heavy appearance.
Alternative Treatments to Consider for Post-Surgical Bruising
Using cold compresses to speed up healing and wearing cover-up clothing are alternatives to makeup. With their surgeon’s permission, patients might consider Vitamin K cream, bromelain, or arnica, as well.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bruising after Surgery
What is the best concealer for post-surgery?
The best concealer makeup for post-surgery bruising should be lightweight concealer that is liquid-based, hypoallergenic, and designed for sensitive skin. A silicone-based or waterproof concealer may be ideal for adhering to scar tissue. Choosing a concealer that matches your skin tone is essential. If necessary, you can get help with finding the perfect match.
How long does a bruise stay dark?
Factors such as the individual’s healing process, the severity of the bruise, and the area of the body affected can cause the duration of a bruise’s darkness to vary from person to person, with delicate skin potentially taking longer. A bruise can generally last from a few days up to a couple of weeks. Over time, the color of the bruise will change as it heals, transitioning from dark purple or blue to green, yellow, and finally fading away.
Contact Dr. Bustillo and Schedule Your Facial Reconstructive Consultation
Dr. Andres Bustillo, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a facial plastic surgeon with extensive knowledge, experience, and outstanding qualifications. He is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery — one of a select few double board-certified facial plastic surgeons. As a facial plastic surgery specialist, he does not treat any other area of the body. This specialization allows him to get the best results for patients with a wide range of facial shapes, features, and skin types. He is always on the cutting edge of the latest advancements.
Dr. Bustillo has built his reputation as someone who produces natural, long-lasting results. Over 50 percent of his practice is dedicated to rhinoplasty Miami and revision rhinoplasty. The rest is devoted to other types of facial rejuvenation surgery such as deep plane facelift. He performs over 300 nasal surgeries a year. Twenty-five percent of his patients come from outside the United States. Twenty percent of his patients are other doctors and their families.
You can also directly contact our patient care coordinator, Jessica, by phone at 305-663-3380 or by email through the contact form. The office of Dr. Bustillo is here to answer your questions and help you to plan your initial consultation.
