Eyelid surgery incisions are typically placed in an area that can be well concealed, either in the natural eyelid crease or along the lash line. Even the most well-placed incision needs time and proper care to heal. An experienced plastic surgeon will explain how best to care for the treatment site to reduce your risk of noticeable scarring. Healing takes time, and incision lines can continue to fade for months, refining for up to a year in some cases. To support the best outcomes and minimize scarring, follow all postoperative instructions from your care team.
Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions First
Every case is different, and each patient heals differently. Your surgeon will give you specific wound care directions that should take priority over any other instructions. Use ointments and medications exactly as prescribed, and attend follow-up appointments to assess healing and catch issues early. Many people use substitute scar products, but do so only with your surgeon’s advice.
Your plastic surgeon knows the ins and outs of your procedure, what incisions were made, how they were closed, and what normal healing should look like for your specific procedure. Following postoperative instructions closely and avoiding excessive force, abrasion, or motion around the healing site can help reduce complications.
Keep the Area Clean and Protected
Keeping the treatment site clean and protected can help reduce scarring. Your care team will give you instructions for cleansing the site, and you should wash your hands before touching the area. Avoid rubbing, scratching, or pulling at healing skin, and do not pick at scabs or crusting.
Once you can remove makeup and wash your face, be gentle with the area. Eyelid skin is delicate, so aggressive rubbing can irritate the incision while it is still healing. Also, watch for changes such as swelling, drainage, or worsening irritation so you can catch complications early and address them promptly.
Protect Healing Scars Against the Sun
After eyelid surgery, sun protection is especially important. Healing scars could be more prone to discoloration. You can protect the eye area by wearing dark sunglasses, and you should also follow your surgeon’s advice on when you can safely apply sunscreen near the incision site. Use thorough sun protection and darkly tinted sunglasses until healing is complete.
Give Your Scar Time
Early healing often comes with pink, red, or raised incision sites. That rarely reflects the final scar. Swelling and bruising commonly improve during the first couple of weeks, and scar appearance can continue changing for months. Be patient before judging the final result too early. Most patients are comfortable going out in public after about 10 to 14 days, but complete healing can take several months.
When You Have Concerns
Good scar care and prevention mainly involve protecting the incision site, following care instructions, and giving your body enough time to heal. Surgeons choose incision placement to make scars less noticeable, but the final appearance doesn’t develop right away. If you have concerns about healing or your scar’s appearance, contact your plastic surgeon rather than trying to correct the scar on your own. This could cause further complications, and you may need more aggressive treatment.
Considering eyelid surgery but worried about scarring? Schedule a consultation with one of our qualified plastic surgeons to help find the right treatment approach for you.