Will I Have Visible Blepharoplasty Scars?

Blepharoplasty is a common type of cosmetic eyelid surgery that removes unwanted fat, muscle, and skin around the eye area. It repairs droopy eyelids and aims to eliminate the look of “puffy” eyes and under-eye bags and hollows. While it has many uplifting benefits, a common concern of men and women who wish to undergo the procedure is the possible blepharoplasty scars that can take form afterward.

As long as the cosmetic surgeon is fully trained to perform the procedure, there is little to no chance that there will be blepharoplasty scars. 

Let’s take a closer look at the different types of blepharoplasty procedures, the preparation involved, proper aftercare instructions, and important things to remember to ensure that you will not develop blepharoplasty scars. 

Types of Blepharoplasty Procedures

There are two main types of blepharoplasty procedures: lower and upper blepharoplasty. Let’s take an in-depth look at these two types.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty is a procedure performed in the under-eye area. It simply refers to an eyelift procedure on the lower eyelid and it removes excess skin and fat formations that are responsible for a “droopy” or tired look. 

The cosmetic surgeon will make small incisions beneath the lower eyelids, in which the excess loose skin and fat will be removed. The incisions will be made on the natural skin crease, and there will be little to no visible blepharoplasty scars after the area has completely healed. The result of the lower eyelift will be more radiant, awake eyes. 

Upper Blepharoplasty

As the name suggests, upper blepharoplasty is performed on the top of the eyelids to remove excess skin build-up. The excess skin causes the heavy-lidded, hooded look, which happens to men and women as they age. 

During the procedure, an incision is made in the crease of the eyelid where the excess skin is removed. The eyelid is tightened to achieve a natural-looking, younger look without the puffiness under the eyes. The positioning of the incision makes little to no blepharoplasty scars.

Blepharoplasty is beneficial for men and women who would like to eliminate the appearance of:

• Wrinkles
• Puffy eye bags
• Sagging or Heaviness of the eyelids
• Looking tired and weary even after a full night’s sleep

Once the patient is fully healed, a blepharoplasty procedure results in a rejuvenated, youthful appearance. Additionally, this procedure is specially developed to improve vision for patients who want to restore complete peripheral eyesight. With that being said, some individuals go through this cosmetic procedure due to impaired vision caused by droopy eyelids. 

A consultation will help you decide what kind of blepharoplasty procedure works well for you, or if there is a need to perform both surgeries in conjunction. 

How Do I Prepare for a Blepharoplasty Procedure?

Adequate preparation prior to a procedure is a crucial step in ensuring that clients get the best results. Here are some important reminders to keep in mind when you are preparing for eyelid surgery at McLean Clinic:

Avoid Smoking

Patients are advised to refrain from smoking two weeks before and after the procedure. Nicotine and tobacco smoke can delay the healing and can make you more susceptible to blepharoplasty scars. 

Avoid Any Medication

Patients are advised to avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and other types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications two weeks prior to the surgery schedule. Vitamin E and other herbal supplements are also prohibited. Intake of these types of medication can cause delays in healing and can increase the chances of developing blepharoplasty scars. Your cosmetic surgeon will recommend taking over the counter pain medication such as Advil or Tylenol.

Ask Someone to Drive You

After eyelid surgery, patients will not be allowed to drive alone. Before the schedule, we advise patients to arrange for someone to stay with them for the first 24 hours after the surgery. 

On the Day of Blepharoplasty Surgery:

• Do not eat or drink anything on the day of the surgery
• Wear loose clothing and avoid wearing any jewelry
• Do not wear any make-up 
• Wearing prescription glasses is allowed, but not contact lenses

Proper Aftercare Tips and Routines to Prevent Blepharoplasty Scars

As with all forms of cosmetic surgery procedures, aftercare is an important part of achieving successful results for eyelid surgery. Blepharoplasty scars are prevented if the patient follows correct post-operative maintenance advised by the cosmetic surgeon. While the pain involved can be minimized by over the counter medication, most of the swelling and bruising will go away within one to two weeks after the procedure. 

Here are some key points to remember when going through blepharoplasty recovery.

Use Gauze Pads

Iced gauze pads or gauze pads dipped in clean ice water and wrung out should be applied on the affected area and cheeks for the first 48 hours. This practice minimizes swelling and discolouration.

Keep Head Elevated to Minimize Swelling

Once you are at home, it is important to always keep the head elevated while resting. A recliner should work well, or an extra pillow on your side of the bed. Allowing your body to heal during the first week is crucial, and a well-rested body allows optimal regeneration in the affected areas. 

Gently Clean the Incisions with Soap and Water

External eyelid incisions can be cleaned with a Q-Tip and half-strength hydrogen peroxide, which can be diluted with clean water. Using clean water and soap to clean incisions will help prevent infections and keep the area sanitized. 

Avoid Heavy Physical Activity

Patients are asked to refrain from performing strenuous activities during the healing process as it can open up the stitches and cause scarring. To keep healthy blood flow going, patients can resume light walking or stretching of the legs and arms three days after the surgery. Other heavier forms of exercises can be resumed three weeks after the surgery.

Avoid Sun Exposure

Refrain from going outside when it’s sunny, or exposing the skin to tanning beds and sun lamps for up to six weeks post-surgery. It is advised to apply sunscreen prescribed by the cosmetic surgeon. 

Aside from all of the routines mentioned above, clients are advised to eat whole foods such as fruits and vegetables during the healing process. A healthy diet speeds up the healing process and allows the skin to fully regenerate. 

Straight Facts About Blepharoplasty Scars

All blepharoplasty procedures involve incisions into the skin surrounding the eyes. A small scar will be left where the incision has been made. The small blepharoplasty scars will usually be hidden in the natural creases of the eye and will continue to lighten in colour as weeks go by. As long as the cosmetic surgeon performs the surgery to the highest standards, visible blepharoplasty scars should be non-existent after months of constant healing. 

While healing, patients are advised to undergo strict aftercare routines to ensure that the temporary blepharoplasty scars will lighten up. To minimize external scarring, patients are advised to apply antibiotic ointments and scar minimizing creams that are prescribed by our cosmetic surgeon. 

Like all cosmetic procedures, there are potential complications that might occur after eyelid surgery. Mild to moderate pain can be experienced, as well as swelling, tightness, and redness around the eye area. All of these should be resolved as the healing process continues. 

For an overview of risks and concerns associated with the surgery, such as the development of blepharoplasty scars, click here. Dr. McLean will be happy to provide you with a thorough overview of the risk factors that are specific to your blepharoplasty procedure. 

Book A Consultation With Us Today

McLean Clinic is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic in Mississauga. Year after year, we pride ourselves as innovators of cutting-edge techniques to ensure the best results for our clients. We understand the importance of client satisfaction, and our countless success stories prove our dedication to the craft of cosmetic surgery.

Book a consultation with us today to learn more about eyelid surgery. You can also call us to find out if your skin type will react well to the surgery and if there is a chance of developing blepharoplasty scars.