Rhinoplasty Recovery Guide 👃 - 32 - Edema and Bruises Relief Medications Which Can Be Used After Rhinoplasty

How to Reduce Bruising and Swelling After Rhinoplasty?

Edema and bruising are common occurrences, whether from a minor bump, a significant fall, or post-surgical recovery. Managing these conditions effectively can significantly improve comfort and speed up the healing process. Let's delve into the types of medications available for relief and how they can help you get back to feeling your best.

What is Edema?

Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body's tissues. It often affects the extremities, such as the legs, feet, and hands, but can occur in any part of the body. This condition can result from a variety of causes, including injury, surgery, infection, or chronic illnesses such as heart or kidney disease.

What Causes Bruises?

Bruises happen when small blood vessels under the skin break, usually due to an impact or injury. The blood leaks out and gets trapped beneath the skin, causing the characteristic blue, purple, or black discoloration. Over time, as the body reabsorbs the blood, the bruise changes color and eventually fades away.

Medications for Bruises Relief

1. Topical Arnica: Arnica is a natural remedy that's often used in creams and ointments to reduce bruising and inflammation. Applying it to the affected area can speed up the healing process.

2. Bromelain: Found in pineapple, bromelain is an enzyme that can reduce inflammation and bruising. It's available in supplement form and is often recommended for post-surgery recovery.

3. Vitamin K Cream: Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting and can help reduce the appearance of bruises when applied topically.

4. NSAIDs: Like with edema, NSAIDs can help manage pain and reduce inflammation associated with bruises. Ibuprofen and aspirin are commonly used, but they should be taken with food to minimize stomach irritation.

Remedy for bruising and swelling after rhinoplasty



After the rhinoplasty operation, varying amounts of bruising and edema may occur in the face and under the eyes. This may vary according to the surgical technique, the season of the operation, the intervention in the nasal bone, and the wound healing characteristics of the patient. After the surgery, various treatment aids can be used for bruises. I would like to share some of these products below.

Arnica Gel

This product contains the extract from "Arnica Montana Flower". It is used as an aid to treatment of edema and bruising. Gel and cream form are available. I recommend this product to my patients for 3 or 4 times a day in the first week postoperatively, to be placed on neighboring areas that are adjacent to the cheek, and then to the nose after the first week.

What should be known as a warning about the product is that it should not be applied to the eyes, mucosal areas, open wounds, allergic individuals should pay attention and should not be used in pregnant women.

Arnigen Spray

This product contains "Bromelain" from Anasantan, in addition to the Arnica Montana Extract. In the same way, edema and bruising are used as treatment aids. I recommend this product to patients who cannot get Arnica gel.

Auriga Auriderm XO Gel

This product contains vitamins A, C, E as well as vitamin K and substances with beneficial effects on the skin. Vitamin K has effects related to blood clotting. After nasal aesthetic surgery, bruising is sold as an adjunct to treatment. There are also clinics that use this product as a preparatory product before surgery. After the surgery, I asked to add this product to my patients.

Bioderma Cicabio Cream 40 ml

Surgical applications for the face area are developed to improve wound healing after laser and cryotherapy applications. It supports the production and repair process of "fibroblasts" which are active in tissue healing by centella asiatica. It contains copper, zinc sulphate and hyaluronic acid.

This product should not be applied on open mucosal surfaces and leaky wounds. The ideal use dose is 2 times a day.

It is a product I don't prefer frequently.

Enfla-C Tablet

Enfla-C tablet contains Bromelain, Quercetin and Vitamin C.It is a useful product in reducing bruising, swelling and inflammation that occurs after surgical procedures such as rhinoplasty. Bromelain, a mixture of proteolytic enzymes found in pineapple stems and fruit, is often recommended after rhinoplasty (nose surgery) for its potential benefits in aiding the recovery process. One of the most notable benefits of bromelain is its anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce post-operative swelling. Swelling is a common issue after rhinoplasty, and minimizing it can lead to a faster and more comfortable recovery. Bromelain has been shown to reduce bruising, which is beneficial since bruising around the nose and eyes is common after rhinoplasty. By decreasing the extent and duration of bruising, patients may experience less discomfort and achieve a more aesthetic appearance sooner. Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, bromelain can also contribute to pain relief. Reducing inflammation in the affected area can alleviate some of the pain and discomfort associated with the surgery. Bromelain may enhance the overall healing process. Its enzymatic activity can help in breaking down proteins that trap fluids in the tissues, thereby promoting better fluid drainage and tissue repair. Bromelain can improve the absorption of other medications and supplements, potentially making prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs more effective.

Etoflam-K Gel

"Etoflam-K Gel" also contains the well-known and traumatic tissue crushes, "Arnica Montana Flower Extract", which is used as an adjunct to the removal of bruises after surgical procedures, and vitamin K and Centella Asiatica (or Gotu Kola (GK)). 

The information in this guide was prepared by Dr.Murat Enöz for patients who underwent rhinoplasty. 
You can find different opinions and suggestions from other clinics and doctors. Please take into consideration 
the recommendations of the doctors who performed your aesthetic nose surgery. Sometimes drug names given here 
only in Turkey may also belong to the drugs found. Plenty of luck :)

Murat Enoz, MD, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgeon - ENT Doctor in Istanbul

Private Office:

Address: İncirli Cad. No:41, Kat:4 (Dilek Patisserie Building), Postal code: 34147, Bakırköy - İstanbul
Appointment Phone: +90 212 561 00 52

E-Mail: muratenoz@gmail.com
Mobile phone: +90 533 6550199

Fax: +90 212 542 74 47