Eyelid Surgery: Q&A
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For How Long Do I Have to Use a Sunscreen on my Upper Eyelid Surgery Scars?
My plastic surgeon told me to use a sunscreen on my upper blepharoplasty surgical scars. They are visible on the outer corner of each eye. I am 7 weeks post-op and the scars are still purple. How much longer should I use a sunscreen?
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13 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
brook607
in NYC
+2
It is advised to use sunscreen on scars
It is advised to use sunscreen on scars until the scars have completely faded. If they are still red or purplish, you should continue to use sunscreen on the area. Of course it is always advisable to use sunscreen. But particularly you should avoid sun completely on any bruising. There are many different sunscreens on the market. I recommend Elta MD as it is medical grade, non-chalky, and paraben free.
+2
How Long Do I Have to Use a Sunscreen on my Upper Eyelid Surgery Scars...
Care is needed with your blepharoplasty incision because it is a very sensative area. Following a Blepharoplasty, sunscreen is very important because the sun can make the incision more red or dark in color, which can take several months to resolve. You should apply it frequently on your upper eye lids for a period of 6 months after surgery.
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Sun Protection After Blepharoplasty
Sun protection after blepharoplast is important.
Scars are sun/UV-sensitive for at least 6 months post-op. Ultraviolet exposure can lead to scar thickening and pigmentation.
Sunscreen can be very irritating if it gets into the eyes.
The natural crease of the eyelid does offer some protection.
If you use makeup, choose a prooduct with built-in sun-block.
I recommend the use of sunglasses to protect the scars.
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+2
Protecting your eyelid incisions from the sun
Sunscreen is always a good idea - it can help to prevent premature aging of the skin, as well as to protect you from sun-damage-related skin cancers. That being said, I rarely ask my patients to put suncreen on their upper eyelid incisions- this type of incision is generally protected in the natural lid crease when your eyes are open. The scars may be red for some weeks after surgery as part of the healing process, but then tends to settle down and fade to your natural skin color. I suspect...
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South Burlington Oculoplastic Surgeon
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Use sunscreen until eyelid scars turn skin color
I tell my eyelid surgery patients to use sunscreen, on their incisions, until they turn the same color as their skin. If your eyelid surgery incisions are purple, they're still healing and sun exposure will not help them heal.
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Blepharoplasty and sunscreen
Protecting immature scars from UV exposure is always a good idea. Having said that, sunscreen can be very irritating if it gets into the eyes. With perspiration and rubbing of your eyelids this is more frequent a problem than not. Furthermore, the natural creases of your lids often will conceal your scars from sun exposure. Stay practical minimize exposure if possible for 6 monhts and use sunglasses/shades.
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Sunscreen keeps scars camouflaged.
In general, I recommend sunscreen be applied to all incision sites (once they've healed) for a period of six-months after surgery. The rationale for this is that scars exposed to the sun have a tendency to get very tanned (hyper-pigment) initially and in some instances bleach-out/turn white (hypo-pigment) later on. This obviously draws attention to the scars and makes them extremely visible.
That being said, eyelids are a privileged site in the sense...
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Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Eyelid Surgery
You should use sunscreen indefinitely unless you are using UVA/UVB protected eye glasses. Your skin should have some kind of UV protection, either mechanically or chemically. This will protect your investment and assist in prevention of further damage.
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Sunscreen on scars after Surgery
Of course it is a good idea to apply sunscreen to any sunexposed area on a daily basis. Scars can very rarely develop darkness or hyperpigmentation so I tell patients to be very careful about sunexposure and apply sunscreen to the scars at least for the first year. Some redness to a scar 7 weeks after surgery is normal and it will usually fade by 3 months.
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Sun screen after eyelid surgery
I do not advise patients to use sun screen following eyelid surgery. The incision is placed in the fold of the upper eyelid and thus not exposed to the sun. Sun screen will only get into your eyes and cause irritation.
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