FACE & NECK ESSENTIALS
A curated list of products I often recommend to help support healing and comfort after face and neck surgery.
Before You Buy
A quick note: sizing, materials, and timing matter more than brand names. I’ve added notes below based on what patients actually find useful – not what looks good online. Links to these products are included for ease and have been chosen to be budget-friendly as well. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I genuinely believe are useful in recovery. This list reflects items I commonly recommend to help support healing, comfort, and skin care following face and neck procedures. Individual needs vary, and not every item will be necessary for every person or procedure.
Face and neck compression garment designed to help with swelling, minimize bruising, and allow for proper healing.
Why I recommend it?
There are many on the market but I like the two bands over the crown of the head to prevent slippage and coverage over the face.
Tips & Tricks
You can place small gel packs underneath the garment and be hands free.
Follow the measurement instructions to choose the correct size. If you are between sizes, choose the larger, but you want a snug fit!
You can choose different colors, but black does not show any oozing that can happen in the first few days.
Small, reusable hot or cold gel packs with optional cloth covered side for more comfortable cooling.
Why I recommend it?
So many reasons I love this budget-friendly 6 pack. There are 6 so you can always have one on hand. They tuck into the compression garment so you can be hands free. They stay moldable even when frozen. You can use it as a hot pack. It is FSA eligible. There are more reasons but those are enough.
Tips & Tricks
Use at least 3 times a day for no more than 5 minutes (if plastic side on face) or 10 minutes (if cloth side on face) – set your Alexa, Siri, etc. You can unknowingly compromise the skin because you will be numb.
Allow at least 1 hour between sessions if using more than 3 times a day. Do not use over fat grafted areas!
Wipe clean or use the fabric side against the skin but be sure to clean if soiled.
Hypoallergenic 100% cotton rounds to cleanse
Why I recommend it?
How better to cleanse your incisions of your face or neck surgery? Vashe and cotton rounds are perfect partners.
Tips & Tricks
Dribble some Vashe on the smooth side of the cotton round and dab (DON’T RUB) over your incisions and allow it to dry before applying Aquaphor or silicone gel. Twice daily.
Use on breakouts too! Keep on it for 5 seconds then allow to dry.
6-inch long cotton-tipped swabs to clean and apply topical agents to incisions.
Why I recommend it?
Great way to clean and treat incisions for yourself or by others. The long handle will keep your hand out of the way in the mirror. I chose the most budget-friendly swabs so you can use once and dispose. They are also biodegradable.
Tips & Tricks
Great for precision on upper blepharoplasty incisions or just for incisions on the face and neck.
If applying Aquaphor or silicone gel, do not touch a dirty/used swab back onto the tip of the tube or tub. Put a dab on the back of your gloved hand, then use from there.
Dual sided cooling gel mask perfect after blepharoplasty.
Why I recommend it?
This is great after upper or lower blepharoplasty provided you did not get fat grafting in adjacent areas. It is actually great over the forehead after brow lift as well.
Tips & Tricks
Use soft cloth side first before you try the soft plastic side against the skin. Use for no more than 5 minutes per session.
Clean after each use.
Topical medical grade silicone to provide the best appearance of scars.
Why I recommend it?
I love silicone scar tape but it does not work well on high visibility areas such as the face and neck so this works well in these areas to help incisions/scars disappear.
Tips & Tricks
Use twice daily. Apply a thin layer over the incision, do not goop it on. A little is great, more is not better.
You can put sunscreen or makeup over this! Allow it a few seconds to absorb into the area.
Avoid hair-bearing areas as best you can so as not to leave a residue in the hair. Not dangerous, but not glamorous either!
Hydrocolloid facial patches for coverage of acne or small, dry wounds
Why I recommend it?
Hydrocolloid patches are great for those pesky pimples that can pop up during your recovery to keep the skin from drying out but also to keep you from picking or irritating them.
Tips & Tricks
After a gentle facial cleanser, spot clean with Vashe, let dry, then place a patch to cover.
These little patches are great to cover small, clean scabs that can form along your incision. Follow the same instructions as above.
If you have a “pull out” stitch, these are great to hold down the end of it to keep it from tickling you.
Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield Glow SPF 50
Why I recommend it?
Protect your face and incisions from pigmentation problems especially during the early part of the healing. This is the BEST sunscreen for those that want to apply and re-apply even over make up! And it has a high concentration of both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. What is there not to love.
Tips & Tricks
This mineralized sunscreen comes in different tints to best match your skin tone.
Leave one in your car, at work, in your handbag, or golf bag.
This mattifies as well as provide UVA/UVB protection to keep your skin from aging.
Colorscience Sunforgettable Face Shield Flex SPF 50 (PA++++)
Why I recommend it?
Colorscience made this mineral-based chemical sunscreen that can be used as a tinted foundation. It will blur and even skin tones. It has a demi-matte finish and is buildable!
Tips & Tricks
Use under or as your foundation!
I use this as a base then use the mineralized powder form as a setting powder throughout days that I plan to be outside – even with a hat.
This is great if you do not want the issue of white cast in your foundation or base. It will still provide good UVA/UVB protection!
UV-blocking Sun Visor/Hat
Why I recommend it?
Following procedures involving the face and/or neck (and all other times of the year), it is highly recommended that you protect the face/neck from harmful UV that can darken scars and cause degradation of collagen.
Tips & Tricks
Can be collapsed for storage.
This can be worn alone or underneath your favorite sun hat.
I recommend still wearing SPF on exposed skin but if you forget to reapply it, this will provide good UVA/UVB protection!