The skin health of people with Rosacea is already compromised. Often, there is a thickening of skin, and that includes skin on the nose.
Those with Rosacea who are considering rhinoplasty should be aware of a few things with respect to possible outcomes.
Rosacea mostly affects those with fair skin. Patients are usually between 30 to 60 years of age when they start noticing the condition. Women are three times more likely to develop the condition than men. The condition is caused by increased sebaceous gland activity.
It’s never a good idea to have surgery when having a full-blown Rosacea episode. It should be controlled as much as possible. If part of the reason for rhinoplasty is to reduce Rosacea scarring, talk to your surgeon about possible outcomes and ask to see before and after photos of similar situations if he/she has them.
Healing with Rosacea
Having Rosacea as controlled as possible prior to surgery will help in the healing process. Rosacea can especially affect the tip of the nose. The outcome may depend upon the thickness of the dermis. Healing will take more time during an episode of full-blown Rosacea. Unless the surgery is for Rhinophyma, getting Rosacea more under control is the best course of action.
May be helpful
On the upside, in rhinoplasty, the skeleton of your nose is changed. People with Rosacea who’ve always had a bulbous nose tip could have the appearance of their nose greatly improved with surgery. Add to that laser resurfacing or dermabrasion once the nose has healed and they could have significant improvement in their skin.
Help for Rhinophyma
Dr. Oakley Smith has helped many patients with Rhinophyma, a form of Rosacea where extra tissue has grown on the nose. This excess tissue gives the nose a bulbous appearance. Doctors think the condition may be due to an abnormal reaction to fungus. Not only are patients self-conscious about their appearance, but it can also affect their breathing.
Overgrown sebaceous glands in Rhinophyma are regular skin glands that have excess sebum coming up from the skin ducts. Surgery pares down the excess skin to restore the nose to its original shape and colour (Rosacea makes the skin a reddish purple colour). It takes about a year for normal colour to be restored.
Dr. Oakley Smith and his expert team would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about Rosacea, particularly Rhinophyma, and how surgery could help. Give his office a call to schedule a consultation appointment.