The eyes are usually the first signs of ageing and can often make you look older than you feel, as your eyelids begin to droop or bags under the eyes start to appear. A blepharoplasty is a quick, highly effective surgical procedure that can deliver a significant transformation.
Once you’ve decided to rejuvenate your eyes with a blepharoplasty, it’s understandable you can’t wait to see the results. Here’s our guide to the best blepharoplasty recovery.
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Our blepharoplasty recovery timeline
The first 24 hours: most blepharoplasty procedures are performed as a day case, so you’ll be able to return home the same day. Once you return to your room after your operation, you’ll be propped up in bed and we’ll apply cold compresses to alleviate swelling.
The first week: any non-dissolvable sutures will need to be removed at about three to four days and we will provide you with an antiseptic eye ointment and antibiotic eye drops to use in the first week.
Patients usually experience swelling and tightness around the eyes. Often there is less swelling and bruising than you expect and there is usually more with lower eyelid surgery than an upper blepharoplasty.
The first month: the eyes can look uneven or over pulled but this is the result of swelling around the internal stitches and this can take a few weeks to settle. We advise that you continue to elevate the head while you sleep and use cold compresses to resolve any swelling and bruising.
Full recovery: blepharoplasty scars usually heal very well as the skin on the eyelids is thinner and Mr Alex Karidis will always try and make the incisions within the crease of the lid. Lower eyelid lifts are usually performed from within the eyelid so there is no external scarring. Scars will appear red for the first couple of months and then heal over a period of six to nine months.
Blepharoplasty recovery tips
Here are some more suggestions on how you can speed up your blepharoplasty recovery time:
- Avoid cosmetics: skincare and make-up products can irritate healing skin and also cause an infection so leave the eye area alone for at least a week.
- Quit smoking: nicotine is the biggest inhibitor of healing as it restricts the supply of oxygenated blood.
- Avoid sun exposure in the future: always use a high factor SPF and wear sunglasses in the future as sun damage is the biggest cause of skin ageing and the sun rays can cause scar discolouration.
- Listen to your surgeon: we will provide you with comprehensive aftercare instructions, but we have also recently relaunched the Karidis Clinic App, which supports you throughout your patient journey. The app provides invaluable advice on how to optimise your blepharoplasty recovery process as well as sending you alerts for all your post-op check-ups.
At Karidis Clinic, all eyelid lift procedures are carried out by one of the best known blepharoplasty surgeons in London, Mr Alex Karidis.
For UK-leading aftercare, get in touch today.
