One of the most common questions patients have about plastic surgery is what to expect in terms of scarring. Every procedure involves some degree of scarring, but the way these scars look and how we minimize and mask them differs. Compared to other surgeries, blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, has a minimal risk of scarring, and the scars are naturally masked by the contours of your eyelids.
What Do Blepharoplasty Scars Look Like?
Your surgeon will make the incision for upper lid blepharoplasty in the crease of your eyelid. This means that for the most part, it is naturally masked by the contours in this area. Once the incision heals, it will be a light pink or white color and is very small. Although it is true that every surgical procedure leaves a scar to some extent, many patients cannot even find or recognize their blepharoplasty scars after they are fully healed.
For lower lid blepharoplasty, the incision is placed below the eyelashes or, in some cases, can be placed inside the eyelid. Like upper blepharoplasty, scarring is minimal in most cases and the scar is naturally hidden by the shape of the eyelid.
What Affects Blepharoplasty Scarring?
Although most patients have minimal scarring after eyelid surgery, there are still many factors that can affect the appearance of these scars.
These include:
Smoking
Smoking affects the elasticity of your skin and its ability to heal after surgery. If you are a smoker, you may experience more scarring after blepharoplasty and other procedures, as well as having an increased risk of complications. We recommend that patients quit smoking before undergoing plastic surgery.
Sun Exposure
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can darken scars and otherwise impact the healing process. We recommend that patients avoid sun exposure when possible and use sunscreen. This can also help minimize signs of aging and reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Diet and Hydration
Eating well and staying hydrated promote your skin’s ability to heal after surgery. Although the area around your eyelids heals well anyway, following a healthy diet and drinking enough water can help it heal even more easily.
Following Post-Surgical Instructions
Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions to follow to promote an easier recovery from blepharoplasty. These instructions are often less involved than those for other procedures due to the ability of the eyelids to heal well on their own, but it’s still essential to follow the advice of your surgeon to to reach out if you have any questions.
Blepharoplasty in Tucson
If you have sagging upper eyelids or bags under your eyes, blepharoplasty can help correct these issues. This surgery can produce outstanding results with minimal risk of scarring compared to other procedures. You can check out our before and after gallery to see for yourself. We can also combine eyelid surgery with other procedures such as a facelift, eyebrow lift, or non-surgical option for anti-aging.
