Taping after rhinoplasty.
A simple gesture that helps reduce swelling and lets the skin re-drape over the new shape of the nose.
In video
The taping, demonstrated.
Dr Lange shows how to position the strips. Always follow the personalised protocol given to you.
What is taping?
Taping is the application of thin adhesive strips (micropore-type) on the nose, mainly on the tip, generally after the splint is removed. It is painless and discreet, and is usually done at home, following the instructions given by your surgeon.
What is it for?
- limit and help drain the swelling (edema);
- help the skin re-adhere to the new underlying structures (re-draping);
- gently support the definition of the tip;
- it is especially useful on thicker skin, which deflates more slowly.
How and for how long?
In practice, taping is often done in the evening or overnight, over several weeks. The exact protocol — how to position the strips, the frequency and the duration — is personalised: it depends on your skin, your nose and the work carried out, and is always explained to you precisely.
Good to know
Taping is one tool among others: it complements, but does not replace, the other post-operative instructions (rest, sun avoidance, follow-up). Always follow your own personalised protocol rather than generic advice found online. It fits into the broader recovery, up to the final result.
Why taping matters after a rhinoplasty
After the splint is removed, the skin of the nose has to re-adhere to the new underlying structures. During this phase, fluid tends to accumulate at the tip, which is the last area to deflate. Taping applies gentle, continuous pressure that helps drain this swelling and guides the skin as it re-drapes over the reshaped cartilage. It is a simple gesture, but a genuine ally of a refined, well-defined result.
Especially useful on thick skin
Taping is all the more valuable when the skin is thick, because it deflates more slowly and tends to mask the fine details of the surgery. On these skins, regular taping — combined with the surgeon's other recommendations — helps the tip refine and the definition appear. On thick skin, the result can keep improving for many months, and taping supports this slow, gradual evolution.
A personalised protocol, not a generic recipe
How to position the strips, how often and for how long: everything is tailored to your skin, your nose and the work carried out. Taping is often done in the evening or overnight, over several weeks. It complements — but never replaces — the other post-operative instructions (rest, sun avoidance, follow-up) that guide the whole recovery, up to the final result.
Which strips and how to apply them
Thin, breathable adhesive strips (micropore type) are used, applied on clean, dry skin, mainly on the tip and sometimes the bridge. They are removed gently to protect the skin. Any redness or marking from the adhesive is temporary. Your surgeon shows you the exact gesture — the demonstration video above illustrates it — so you can reproduce it easily at home.
Frequently asked questions
Taping: your questions.
What is taping for after a rhinoplasty?
Taping helps to drain and limit swelling, encourages the skin to re-drape over the new structures and gently supports the definition of the tip. It is particularly useful on thick skin.
Is taping the nose painful?
No. Taping consists of applying thin adhesive strips: it is a painless and discreet gesture, most often done at home in the evening or overnight.
How long should taping be done?
It depends on your skin, your nose and the work carried out. Taping is often continued over several weeks, according to a personalised protocol explained by your surgeon.
Is taping compulsory after a rhinoplasty?
No, it is not systematic. It is mainly recommended when the skin is thick or the tip deflates slowly. Always follow the protocol given to you rather than generic advice.
How do you position the taping strips?
How to position the strips, the frequency and the duration are personalised and shown to you precisely (see the demonstration video). The exact protocol depends on your nose.
Go further
See also.
Your post-op questions, answered.
A precise, personalised follow-up at every stage — in person or by video.