Post-rhinoplasty precautions — after splint removal, when can face washing·scabs·exercise start?
2025. 6. 25.
7–14 days after nose surgery, the care to keep after splint removal — when face washing is allowed, why scabs shouldn’t be forcibly picked off, when exercise resumes (intense exercise only after minimum 3–4 weeks), and indoor humidity control, organized by stage.
Key points
- Days 7–14 post-op are when external change and internal tissue recovery progress together, so careful management is needed even after the splint comes off.
- Don’t forcibly pick scabs inside the nose — wait for them to fall naturally. Avoid blowing·picking the nose for about a month right after surgery.
- Light jogging·stretching become possible as recovery progresses, but decide whether to resume intense exercise only after consulting the medical team at minimum 3–4 weeks post-op.
After nose surgery there are precautions to keep during the recovery process. Especially the window between days 7 and 14 post-op — when external change and internal tissue recovery progress together — so removing the stitches and splint doesn’t mean care is finished.
This article organizes when and how to handle face washing, scabs, exercise and humidity control, taking as its basis the period after the first week as the surgical site settles.
01
When can I start washing my face?
At the point one week has passed after nose surgery, the splint that was attached on the nose is removed along with the stitches. From this point, light face washing becomes possible.
Still, recovery of the surgical site isn’t completely finished, so it should be done very carefully. Avoid washing that rubs or applies pressure, and it’s good to wipe gently using lukewarm water and a non-irritating cleanser.
02
Can I pick scabs inside the nose after surgery?
For a certain period after surgery, forcibly picking scabs that have formed inside the nose, or blowing the nose, should be avoided. Picking a scab can give direct irritation to the surgical site, and can cause bleeding or inflammation — in severe cases even damage to internal structures.
Especially for about a month from right after surgery, it’s good to refrain from habitual actions like blowing or picking the nose, and not to put your hands to the nose more than necessary.
Scabs inside the nose fall off naturally as time passes. If it’s too uncomfortable, don’t deal with it on your own — receiving appropriate treatment at the hospital under a doctor’s judgment is safe.
03
When can I exercise after rhinoplasty?
Once recovery progresses, you can start from light jogging or stretching and simple strength exercise at a level that doesn’t strain. For intense exercise, it’s usually safe to decide whether to resume after consulting the medical team at minimum 3–4 weeks post-op.
Still, vigorous and high-intensity exercise should be avoided. Activities such as hard cardio, weight training or ball sports, where blood pressure rises sharply or pressure is applied to the upper body, carry a risk of bleeding, swelling recurring, or deformation of the surgical site.
04
What should I do when the inside of the nose feels dry?
If the inside of the nose feels dry, it’s good to keep indoor humidity at an appropriate level. Managing the air so it doesn’t dry out by using a humidifier prevents the mucosa from drying and can help the recovery process.
A dry environment can lead to scab formation or itching, and in severe cases to nosebleeds — so for at least 2–3 weeks after surgery it’s good to pay attention to humidity control.
05
Stage-by-stage care at a glance
| Item | From when / until when | How to keep it |
|---|---|---|
| Face washing | After stitch·splint removal (~1 week) | No rubbing·pressure; lukewarm water + non-irritating cleanser |
| Scabs·blowing nose | Avoid for about a month right after surgery | Wait for natural shedding; if uncomfortable, get treated at the hospital |
| Light exercise | Possible once recovery progresses | Only up to jogging·stretching·simple strength level |
| Intense exercise | Minimum 3–4 weeks later | Decide on resuming after consulting the medical team |
| Humidity control | At least 2–3 weeks | Maintain indoor humidity via humidifier etc. |
06
Summary — care begins once the splint comes off
The core of post-rhinoplasty precautions lies in distinguishing, at each stage, what’s allowed from what’s still early. Face washing gently, not touching the scabs inside the nose, exercise stepped by intensity, keeping the indoor air from drying — keeping just these four can greatly reduce unnecessary irritation during the recovery process. The full stage-by-stage recovery flow can be seen in more detail in the recovery guide.
If questions arise during recovery or you need care fitted to your own state, it can be checked in a 1:1 video-call consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions patients ask before a consultation.
Nose scabs feel stuffy after surgery — can’t I pick them just a little?
After rhinoplasty, can I do all exercise once 3–4 weeks pass?
The splint is off — why do I still have to be careful?
Responses to treatment and recovery progress vary by individual. Outcomes and side effects vary from person to person. Bleeding, infection, swelling and asymmetry may occur. Please consult our medical team before making a decision.