Extremely Red Eyes After Blepharoplasty and CO2 Laser

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?

Tags:

Comment on this

15 Doctor Answers | Asked by Kele in Charlevoix, MI

Doctor Answers (15)
Community Comments (0)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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