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What Can I Do to Lessen Scars After Blepharoplasty?

asked 3 years ago by loulou in hongkong
Latest answer by Michael R. Macdonald, MD
Question viewed 13,332 times
Tags: eyelids, scar, surgery scar

I had upper & lower bleph done 18 months ago. Am happy w/ lower as my bags are gone (am 49 years old & they were aging me more). I am very unhappy w/ the results of my upper as i have a visible indented scar that extends beyod the eyelid crease. In almost all lighting, the scar is visible as it extends approx 1/4 inch &is quite wide. On the other side , it is smaller but is white.

Even make-up cannot hide these scars. I feel that people look at them instead of giving me eye contact. I have to style my hair to conceal these scars. I usually pull my hair back or away from my face but now they must be like curtains hiding these scars.

Please advise if anything can be done to lessen the scars. Tx

16 answers to What Can I Do to Lessen Scars After Blepharoplasty?

Poor Upper Eyelid Scars Are Rare

The upper eyelid skin is usually some of the best healing skin on the body, at least from the standpoint of scar quality. Sadly, you seem to have had difficulty despite that. From your description, I suggest that you have the scar revised. Perhaps you had a tight eyelid early in the healing process which put tension on the scar. During a revision, only the scar will be removed and this will likely not lead to much tension. The first goal of a revision is too... more

Louis W. Apostolakis, MD
Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-apo.com

Visible sunken upper blepharoplasty scars can be revised and or treated with laser resurfacing

The scars you describe after upper blepharoplasty are not uncommon when excess upper eyelid skin extending out over the side of the brow or lateral eye area is excised during blepharoplasty. Visible, dented or depressed scars after upper eyelid blepharoplasty usually require revision. Minor scars can be lessened with laser resurfacing preferably with a fractional ablative 2940 Erbium laser resurfacing alone. Dented or depressed scars usually require surgeical excision and revision with... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Blepharoplasty scar management is definitive

Evident scars are rare after blepharoplasty, but given the popularity of the procedure, occur quite often. I often see patients with visible scars after blepharoplasty elsewhere who are unhappy with their scars. The preoperative position of the incisions is crucial to the overall success of the surgery. The management of these scars is very definitive and is based on the reason the scar developed in the first place. The three most common reasons are: Incorrect placement of the scars outside... more

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Determine exactly what you don't like about your blepharoplasty scars

It's unfortunate that your result is not what you had expected. It is very important that you speak with your original surgeon about this. One, it will give you peace of mind that the surgeon knows how you feel. Two, every good surgeon wants to know when things are not absolutely perfect. We're here to make you happy and help you achieve your goals. In terms of scar management or scar revision: Dr. Westreich covered many of the options available to you. It's also important for you to... more

Edward S. Lee, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

Natural scar maturation after blepharoplasty takes about 18 months

Natural scar maturation generally takes place by about 18 months. As a result, they are not likely to improve further at this point on their own. The scar that is too wide on the one side may need to be revised (removed and closed again). For scars that are raised or red, simple scar gels that contain silicone as the active ingredient are often very effective. These scar treatments come in liquid gel form or in solid gel sheeting and may be applied to reduce the redness and flatten out... more

Michael R. Macdonald, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drmmacdonald.com

Eyelift Revision Surgery and Seeking Opinions

Socially visible scars are a common problem and a common reason patients are referred to my practice. I stress to my prospective patients that there is an art to performing blepharoplasty so the eyes appear natural and not have obvious signs of being operated on. There may be some options such as revising the scar so it isn’t wide however, the fact that it is wide may mean there is a relative lack of skin. Seeking additional opinions if your surgeon has nothing more to offer may... more

Amiya Prasad, MD
New York Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.prasadcosmeticsurgery.com

Scar Revision After a Blepharoplasty

A poor scar after an upper lid blepharoplasty can be typically remedied rather quickly and easily as in office procedure. This can be done with a minimum waiting period of one year after your surgery.

Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Eyelid scars

It sounds like a small revision of the lateral part of the eyelid incsion may help to make the scar cleaner and without the depression.

Andres Bustillo, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

Scar revising

In some case a scar revision can be helpful to hide the scar better. Also massage over time can help to lessen the scar. I would need to see a photograph to properly evaluate you.

Chris Thiagarajah, MD
Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon

Eyelid Scar Revision

I would suggest visiting with your physician and talking to him or her about a scar revision. While most scars heals quite nicely, sometimes a slight revision is necessary.

D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

innovationsfps.com

Wide upper eyelid scar will require a revision.

There's not much that can be done to effect the outcome of a scar save making sure you do nothing to sabotage the healing. Upper eyelid scars are usually nearly invisible but now and then benefit from a revision. It sounds like you could benefit from a redo. You should consult with your surgeon and see what he thinks.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Improving upper blepharoplasty scars

It is not uncommon for the outer part of the upper or lower blepharoplasty scar which is over the thickened skin just beyond the eyelid to widen a little. They scars can be easily improved by revising that portion of the scar using a little local anesthesia in the office. I'm sure your surgeon would be happy to help you.

Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon

Blepharoplasty scar revision can help.

Hi. It sounds like your problem can be improved. You have waited long enough. An expert upper blepharoplasty scar revision should make the lateral scars a lot less noticeable.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

May need to cut it out and start over

It sounds like your incision may have opened slightly after surgery. Sometimes the best treatment for a widened scar is to cut out the old scar and make a new one that is well sutured and carefully monitored after surgery. This is a simple procedure with no downtime. The sutures will come out in 5 to 7 days. It should end up as a fine barely perceptible line, like your other side.

Jonathan Hoenig, MD
Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon

Scar Revision

The answer depends on the degree and scope of scarring as well as your skin type/color. In upper eyelid surgery it is unusual to have scarring that requires a secondary corrective procedure. Scars that extend out of the eyelid do have an increased chance of visibility. At 18 months, you should not expect any significant improvement from natural healing alone. Options include: Scar revision: Usually improves but does not remove your scar. If the other side healed OK, then this side should... more

Richard W. Westreich, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

There are ways to manage this scarring

I am sorry to learn of your dissatisfaction after your blepharoplasty. Unfortunately, when the upper eyelid incision runs beyond the eyelid crease, the chance of visibility of this line increases. Many times the cosmetic surgeon treats the fullness past the eyelid crease with eyelid surgery, although it is not caused by the eyelid at all. This fullness is usually related to a drooping eyebrow, and the physician would need to lift the brow at the same time as the eyelid surgery in order... more