Could a nose by any other name smell as sweet? My nose still smells sweet scents, so I’m thankful for that.
But I’m still dealing with the exciting daily changes of my maturing skin graft, after my brilliant surgeon disposed of the unwanted and univited basal cell carcinoma lurking in my nose. My camera doesn’t pick up all the nitty gritty, but there is major redness, some new scar tissue that scares me (but supposedly if I keep massaging the area it will not be too bad) and a few dents, lumps and bumps. One day I’ll post the Entire Ordeal, but I haven’t quite gotten to it yet. 
Meanwhile, The Great Coverup begins: my official experiment with primers, concealers, foundations and powder.
I started with L’Oreal’s True Match Super-blendable Crayon Concealer, and I have to say, I don’t think it’s fair to judge a coverup based on my nose situation. I probably should be turning to some medical-grade scar hider. But, let’s be real here, I prefer to experiment with fashion brands. They’re so much more fun. And I will judge, because, don’t we all?
The crayon concealer was a little too dry for my skin. Since I have so many weird little holes to fill in right now, I need something that is more liquid. However, it would be a handy concealer to tote in your purse, if you have skin that is more oily. And I only tried it on the skin from behind my ear that is now on my nose. I’ll give it a chance next time I have a pimple. Cuz guess what, kiddies? They never stop.
True Match foundation glides on easy and was a great match for my skin. L’Oreal has a huge line so that everyone can find their color. I used N2, Classic Ivory, to tone down the natural pinkness around my nose area, so that a blob of coverup wouldn’t be more obtrusive. If you check back to my initial experimentation in Banff, you’ll see I wasn’t doing so well with that. So, the foundation is key and blend is the most important action. On the whole, though, I am blessed with nice skin, even if it is kind of pink, so for daily wear, I don’t use it on my entire face. However, if it ever stops snowing in Calgary, I may go for little more, considering the SPF 17 these bottles are packing. And since this foundation comes complete with vitamins B&E, using more would be more healthy wouldn’t it?
In the name of distraction, I also tried these fab new blushes from L’Oreal: Visible Lift Color Blush, with zero talc and zero wax. I went with the one on the left tonight. The blushes have a slight gold shimmer in them, and the powder almost feels a little liquidy. Yet they go on evenly and have great staying power. Apparently it’s because of the Tourmaline. Touted as one of nature’s most naturally energizing minerals, it’s suposed to add radiance and luminosity to aging skin. Which I totally do not need because I will never age. Just like Andie MacDowell, who they are using for their blush campaign. Love her. And, oh, there’s this river in Egypt…
Here’s the finished look. I probably should have blended the foundation a little further up my nose between my eyes – fyi that little red mark has nothing to do with the big C. It’s probably just cuz I’m thinking too hard. Or not enough.
On the rest of my face: L’Oreal Rose Gold Lift blush, True Match foundation, True Match crayon concealer, Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara, Sephora 471C lipstick (doesn’t seem to have a name but it’s their house brand) and Sonia Kashuk nude spice gloss on the lips. I felt so good I actually Went Out Into Public. Deets on the delicious eats I had here.
Hi Tiffany,
Glad to see that you have coped with the surgery and after math with all of your usual grace and courage. In 1996 I had Basal Cell Surgery on my left eye area. I had 28 stitches and it looked awful for a time. However, a second surgery finally removed all the Basal Cell.
It is almost impossible to see the scar now. Good for you to post tips for others who are going through the process!
Best wishes,
Alison MacLean
Hi Alison,
I had no idea! I never saw any scarring at all, ever. That is very encouraging — thanks so much for telling me. And I’m so glad to hear that all your cancer was removed — I can imagine how stressful it was to have it near your eye.
Take care,
Tiffany
Hi Tiffany,
It is quite common to have two surgeries. My Basal Cell could have cost me the sight in my left eye. The scarring does diminish in a year. I used polysporin on the stitches instead of the cortisone cream. The scar is only noticed if I have an eye exam. You are right that people do not see the scars. We are all a little self conscious because it is the face. Good for you for sharing a difficult time in your life and supporting others!
Best wishes,
Alison MacLean
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with bcc. I had a biopsy on my nose (same spot as yours, I think) two days ago and I believe that means I have 5 more days to wait for the results. Reading your story has made me realize that if it turns out to be bcc, it’s going to be ok. Your nose looks great and you have a great outlook on it- love your band-aids! I think that was a great idea- adults tend to stare, yet try not to stare because it is rude- I would think those fun band aids would make it ok/break the ice a little bit. I wish you continued happy healing- your nose looks great!
Hi Melissa, thank you! I am so glad to hear that the worry was dialed down a bit for you — I know how hard it is! What were the results of your biopsy? I’ve learned along the way that even though it’s a traumatic event for us, the Mohs cancer surgeons do these operations all day long, all year long. If you have to have surgery, try looking for a cosmetic surgeon who does Mohs. Take care! Tiffany
Hi Tiffany- it was indeed bcc! I just had my surgery on Friday and I’m so, so glad it’s over. Looking forward to the healing. I was pretty worked up about the surgery, but thankfully it was pretty easy (well, I could have done without that second round of numbing shots- youch!) and it seems that it’s healing well. The surgeon was a Mohs surgeon, and a plastic surgeon stitched me up. I was so thankful that they got me in so fast- I have a long weekend to hopefully have some swelling fade before I get back to work on Tuesday. Hope you are doing well! 🙂 Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Yeah, the pain of those numbing needles is more than a little ironic.
I’m so sorry to hear it was cancer, but so glad they caught it! And it’s great to hear a cosmetic surgeon did the final stitching. Best wishes!
Hi,
You’re still beautiful. When I look at your pictures, I look at your eyes. That is what stands out. 6 months ago, I had a skin liaison burnt off the front of my nose with liquid nitrogen. It has left a scar and I have gone in a complete depression. I’ve list 22 pounds and have isolated myself. I am not the type to stay home. I love going out, I love fashion. I avoid lights because that is where the scar shows the most-under spot lights and fluorescent lights. I won’t go to restaurants, I’ve turned the light off on top of my head at work. How do you go on with your life?
Hi Farah, I have a feeling people are saying the same thing to you that you just said to me — people don’t see our scars as much as we do. We’re our own worst critics. People notice eyes and personality much more than anything else. In the meantime, dermatologists can do some amazing things with laser. Have you looked into that? I thought I would have to wait a year until the scar became fully mature, but my dermatologist says we can start doing laser now! It turns out I have to delay it another month because I may have to have another biopsy on my nose, which believe me, was a big downer to hear. I gave myself a day to cry, then told myself it’s healthier to think positive. That is the one thing that we have the power to do — and thinking positive is very powerful. It’s going to be ok, Farah. Get back to your life! Let me know how it goes! xx Tiffany
I really hope that if you do have a biopsy, the results are good. In the mean time I wanted to tell you that the best concealer out there is by Cle de Peau. Try it. It’s expensive, about $90 Canadian, but worth it. I am going to see a plastic surgeon in 2 weeks to see my options.
Xx
Yay! Glad to hear you are checking your options. And I will look into that concealer. 🙂
Hey there
I agree with the other posters, your nose looks great and I love your attitude.
It’s great finding blogs that share peoples experience because I don’t feel the medical practitioners are on top of that.
My graft is two weeks post op, one week post suture removal (on my nose after a bcc) and I’m wondering if it’s normal for the graft to scab. Would love to hear your experience.
Hi Tiffany,
I realize these posts are old, but I could find any more recent, so hopefully you didn’t need that additional biopsy and you could the BCC behind you. I think the results of your surgery were fantastic. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing the name of your surgeon and derm? I have a pretty significant “sore” on my nose that has been there for some time and goes through various stages but never heals. I am really nervous about getting diagnosed, as my father has had Moh’s as well as various other surgeries on his face for BCC and SCC:(
Thanks
Viv
Hi Viv,
Sorry about the delayed response, I hope you’ve gotten this checked out by now? One of my big regrets was listening to my first dermatologist, who told me it was nothing, and not paying attention to what I could see with my own eyes and asking for another opinion from someone else. It wasn’t until two years later I was seeing a derm for another reason, and happened to mention my nose concern as an aside. He looked closer and knew immediately it was most likely a bcc. However! By then I was living in Calgary and had such amazing, excellent doctors, maybe it was for the best.
On that note, here are my recommendations for my doctors, aka my angels. Dr. Storwick first diagnosed me and did follow-up laser. I still go to him every six months for a skin-cancer check (I’m thrilled to say I did not need the 2nd biopsy and have been cancer-free ever since). He’s amazing and a wonderful, kind human being. Same for my surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Dawes, who does both cosmetic and MOHS. I also see another dermotolgist, Dr. Remington, who magically filled the area under the graft with filler, so it is level with the rest of the skin. These doctors are in Calgary.
Please let me know how you are doing!
Take care,
Tiffany