What are the post-operative care instructions for a Hiko nose Threadlift?

Post-Operative Care for Hiko Nose Threadlift

After a Hiko nose threadlift, avoid strenuous physical activity for 7-10 days, do not manipulate or massage the nose, avoid pressure changes, and sneeze with your mouth open if necessary to prevent thread displacement and complications.

Immediate Post-Procedure Instructions (First 24-48 Hours)

Activity Restrictions

• Avoid all strenuous physical activity including swimming, aerobics, running, and heavy lifting (>10 pounds) for 7-10 days post-procedure 1, 2
• Do not bend over or engage in activities that increase blood flow to the nose and face 1
• Sleep with head elevated to minimize swelling and reduce pressure on the treated area 1
• Walking and other non-strenuous activities are permitted 1

Nasal Care Precautions

• Avoid nose blowing for at least 7-10 days to prevent thread displacement 1, 2, 3
• If sneezing is inevitable, sneeze with your mouth open to avoid pressure changes in the nasal cavity 1, 3
• Do not use straws for drinking as this creates negative pressure that can affect the treated area 1
• Avoid sudden pressure changes such as airplane travel during the first 7-10 days if possible 1, 2

Direct Manipulation

• Do not touch, massage, or manipulate the nose for at least 2 weeks, as this is the most common cause of thread displacement and skin dimpling complications 4
• Avoid sleeping face-down or applying pressure to the treated area 1

Pain and Swelling Management

Medication Protocol

• Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500 mg three times daily for pain control, as it does not increase bleeding risk 1, 3
• NSAIDs (ibuprofen 600 mg three times daily) can be used for the first 3-7 days to control swelling and discomfort 1, 2
• Note: While some guidelines recommend avoiding NSAIDs due to bleeding concerns 1, recent evidence shows they do not significantly increase bleeding risk after nasal procedures 1

Swelling Management

• Apply cold compresses around (not directly on) the nose during the first 48 hours to minimize swelling 1
• Keep the surgical area undisturbed and maintain head elevation 1
• Expect peak swelling during the first 3 days, with gradual resolution over 1-2 weeks 1

Skin Care and Hygiene

Topical Care

• Avoid heavily scented facial creams and products for 24 hours post-procedure 1
• Do not apply makeup or skincare products directly on the nose for at least 24-48 hours 1
• Avoid sunlight exposure for 24 hours and use sun protection thereafter 1

Moisturization

• Keep nasal passages moist with saline spray throughout the day to reduce crusting and facilitate healing 1, 3
• This is particularly important if any minor mucosal trauma occurred during thread placement 3

Warning Signs Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Critical Complications to Monitor

Contact your clinician immediately if you experience:

• Fever over 101°F (indicating possible infection) 1, 3
• Increasing pain rather than improving pain 1, 3
• Vision changes (may indicate vascular compromise or orbital complications) 1, 3
• Loss of color or blanching of the nasal skin (indicating vascular compromise) 1, 3
• Significant asymmetry or visible thread extrusion through the skin 4
• Skin dimpling or contour irregularities that worsen rather than improve 4
• Diffuse skin rash (possible allergic reaction) 1, 3, 4

Common Complications and Prevention

Most Frequent Issues

Based on analysis of 190 thread lifting complications, the most common problems are 4:

• Skin dimpling (40.5%) - prevented by proper thread placement depth and avoiding manipulation
• Contour irregularity (16.8%) - prevented by skilled technique and appropriate thread selection
• Visible threads (16.3%) - prevented by adequate depth placement
• Thread extrusion (5.3%) - prevented by avoiding trauma and following activity restrictions
• Infection (8.9%) - prevented by proper sterile technique and possibly prophylactic antibiotics

Prevention Strategies

• Strict adherence to no-touch policy for the first 2 weeks is critical 4
• Follow all activity restrictions to prevent thread migration 1, 2
• Maintain proper hygiene without direct manipulation of the treated area 1

Expected Timeline and Follow-Up

Healing Progression

• Initial swelling peaks at 24-48 hours and gradually resolves over 1-2 weeks 1, 3
• Minor bruising may occur and typically resolves within 7-10 days 1
• Final results become apparent after swelling completely subsides, typically 2-4 weeks 5

Follow-Up Schedule

• Return for evaluation at 10-14 days for assessment of healing and reinforcement of instructions 1
• Follow-up at 6 months and 1 year to assess thread integration and patient satisfaction 5
• Studies show 95% satisfaction at 6 months, declining to 62% at 1 year as threads gradually resorb 5

Duration of Results

• Temporary improvement lasting 12-18 months on average with PDO threads 5, 6
• Results depend on thread type (poly-L-lactic/poly-caprolactone threads may last longer) 5
• Repeat treatments can be performed after complete resorption 5

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

The primary causes of complications are 4:

• Premature manipulation or massage of the treated area
• Insufficient adherence to activity restrictions during the first 7-10 days
• Nose blowing or forceful sneezing with mouth closed
• Inadequate patient selection (procedure works best for modest sagging, not severe laxity) 6