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Extremely Red Eyes After Blepharoplasty and CO2 Laser

asked 3 years ago by Kele in Charlevoix, MI
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 4,298 times

I had an upper and lower Blepharoplasty on Jan 15, 2009, performed with a CO2 Laser and the area below my eyes is still extremely red. Is this normal?

15 answers to Extremely Red Eyes After Blepharoplasty and CO2 Laser

This is one of the issues with lasers

Most patients are surprised by how long it can take for the redness caused by the laser to go away. This is even true using the more modern lasers. Hopefully, your doctor mentioned that to you beforehand. It will improve but not as fast as you might like. For sure, blepharoplasties without lasers heal faster but probably don't do as much in wrinkle reduction in the lower lid.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Normal reaction to CO2 laser

The lower eyelid skin after carbon dioxide laser will remain red and swollen for upwards of six months depending upon skin type. This is a normal reaction to the CO2 laser. Carbon dioxide laser is a thermal burn to the skin, and it takes six months to heal.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Redness after Blepharoplasty usually always resolves

We have used laser skin rejuvenation with Blepharoplasty for over 15 years and almost always the redness goes away. Now with our fractional lasers it goes away in 7-10 days so this is a big advance over old laser techniques. Be patient and ask your doctor about the use of steroid creams, sun protection, and anything else you should be doing to recover from this temporary problem.

Richard Gentile, MD
Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facialplastics.org

Redness after CO2 laser may last 6 months

Although the CO2 laser is the gold standard for ablative skin resurfacing the problem with it is the redness. I've seen it last for 6 months. So hang in there and remember, your eyes will eventually look fantastic.

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Give Blepharoplasty and CO2 laser results some time

The laser causes different skin reactions in different patients. In some patients, the redness can go away in 2-3 weeks. These are usually fair skinned patients. In some people, it can take 4-5 months, and these are usually darker skinned patients. The redness always goes away and barring any final pigment abnormalities the final result should be nice. You can certainly wear makeup to cover up the redness in the meantime.

Shain A. Cuber, MD
Marlboro Plastic Surgeon

Most skin redness around the eyes is normal after Co2 lasers treatments

Co2 laser targets water in the skin generating heat and destruction of the superficial layers. Due to transfer of heat and thermal damage to the deeper skin tissue an inflammatory process takes place which leads to redness of the skin. This redness usually takes about six months to clear dependinng on the amont of energy that was used. One needs to be patient as the majority resolves without any problems.

Amir Moradi, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Redness after laser resurfacing is expected

Redness after laser resurfacing is expected. It will subside with time, but it may last awhile. It is okay to cover it with makeup the best you can. When it heals, you should have nice smooth skin.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Getting the red out

Kele, CO2 laser resurfacing can redden your skin for up to several months after treatment. Your surgeon may be able to give you some advice or treatment to decrease the redness. I suggest returning to him/her for follow up. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Red skin after CO2 laser can last 6 months

That's one reason I don't use CO2 laser. (The other is possible skin bleaching). Use camouflage make-up and be patient. You will probably have a nice final result.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

6 weeks is prolonged redness after resurfacing

Redness or erythema is normal following CO2 laser resurfacing. However, you are 6 weeks out and I would expect that you were only experiencing a light pinkness at this point, and I would want your skin to be in normal color by 8-10 weeks, certainly by 3 months. Prolonged inflammation and erythema can be reduced by the application of topical steroids-I start this with 1 % Hydrocortisone Cream at 2 weeks after resurfacing. Redness at 6-8 weeks would push me to use a 10 day course of... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Skin redness after laser

Redness after laser treatment on the lower lids can be normal, even after a few months. You have to be patient and it should get better over time.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Ask your doctor

Skin redness is normal after laser resurfacing. The other problem with the red eyes may be serious problem, and I would recommened that you check with your doctor. If you are not satisfied with the answer, call an opthalmologist.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Skin redness after laser resurfacing can be normal.

Dear Kele A picture is worth a thousand words and would be very helpful here to know exactly what you are talking about. CO2 Laser resurfacing creates a profound thermal injury of the skin that must be healed. This can take many months to resolve. However, it can also be indicative of the formation of a subdermal scar. Your treating surgeon should be closely monitoring your progress. When the subdermal collagen formation, which is a necessary part of why laser firms the skin, is too much... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Eyelid Skin or Eye Itself Being Red Can Both Occur After Blepharoplasty

As an Ocular Plastic Surgeon in Sterling Heights, Michigan Laser Blepharoplasty is one of my favorite procedures. I am not clear from your question whether you are asking about the skin or the eye itself being red. So I will answer both! In regard to the skin: Laser eyelid surgery caused a controlled thermal injury to the skin like a sunburn. It can take weeks, up to months, for the rosiness to improve. It should be easily covered by mineral make up. Your cosmetic surgeon should have... more

Mark Berkowitz, MD
Sterling Heights Oculoplastic Surgeon

Sounds like it is OK

As long as the "whites" of your eyes are not red and scratchy, you are likely just fine. The CO2 laser leaves skin red for quite a long time. What does your surgeon say about it?