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Risk of Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty for Keloid Prone Skin?

asked 11 months ago by ceelyxo in Richmond Hill, ON
Latest answer by James M. Pearson, MD
Question viewed 563 times
Tags: upper eyelids, keloid scar, risk

Hi, I have "keloid prone skin" and I was wondering what would happen if I get the incisonal upper eyelid blepharoplasty??? I have one uneven monolid eye and one big (in comparison) double lidded eye. I would just like to even out my eyes

18 answers to Risk of Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty for Keloid Prone Skin?

Low chance of keloids

The chance of forming a keloid on the eyelid is extremely low. When done properly, a blepharoplasty leaves very little tension on the scar, which can be a contributing factor for keloid and hypertrophic scar formation. I have never seen a keloid on the eyelids.

Mikel Lo, MD
Tucson Oculoplastic Surgeon

Upper lid blepharoplasty - risk for keloid prone skin?

Excellent Question. In general, the risk that upper eyelid surgical scars will form keloids is extremely low, even in those with a history of keloid formation in other areas. Be sure to discuss your history and concerns with your surgeon. Good luck.

James M. Pearson, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

There are special precautions that you can take with people who are prone to keloids

It is relatively unusual to get keloids around the eye skin. That being said, there are special precautions that you can take with people who are prone to keloids such as the type of suture used and following the scar formation closely.

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD
Bronx Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.ChelseaEye.com

Scarring after eyelid surgery

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty incisions tend to heal very well, even in patients who are prone to keloidal scarring. It may take many months after surgery for the scars to become as smooth and flat as we would like. Occasionally small cysts form along the incision line where the sutures were placed. These cysts often resolve without treatment but occasionally need to be opened by your doctor.

Brian Biesman, MD
Nashville Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.drbiesman.com

Upper eyelid (blepharoplasty) keloid risk

This is historically a very rare area to develop keloids, even in patients with a prior history of keloids elsewhere on the body.

Christopher R. Hove, MD
Philadelphia Facial Plastic Surgeon

Little to no risk of keloid in eyelid skin

In almost 18 years of performing eyelid surgery, I have never encountered keloids around the eyes. You are a safe bet to proceed. Best of luck. Dr. G

Edward J. Gross, MD
Orlando Facial Plastic Surgeon

Low risk of keloid with eyelid surgery

The risk of keloid formation following upper eyelid blepharoplasty is extremely low. However, if the incision on the inner (medial) portion of the eyelid extends too far towards the nose, it is possible to form a thick, raised, hypertrophic scar, possibly even a keloid in that area.

Pamela B. Rosen, MD
Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon

Keloid after blepharoplasty

I would agree with the other surgeons that a keloid of the upper eyelid is not going to happen. However, you will have to consider the possibility of a hypertrophic scar, which is sometimes confused. Hypertrophic scars don't overtake the margin of the original incision like keloids do. So your scar could thicken, become raised, slightly wider. That too is still very uncommon in eye surgery. But if too much skin is removed, and the closure line is... more

Kevin Robertson, MD
Madison Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.robertsonplasticsurgery.com

Upper eyelid surgery and keloid risk

IMHO, the risk of a keloid from an upper eyelid surgery is astronomical...have consults with plastic and cosmetic surgeons or occuloplastic surgeons for further advice.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Uneven upper eyelids

I'm not certain what exactly is meant by "keloid prone skin" as many individuals mistake exuberant scar or hypertrophic scar with "kelods" which are a specific pathologic scarring seen most commonly in African-Americans and Asians. Hypertrophic scarring is definitely related to increased tension at the wound closure but "Kelois" can forn on any incision with or without tension such as a simple ear lobe piercing. Generally the reason why Keloid of the upper... more

Edwin Ishoo, MD
Boston Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bostoncosmeticsurgerycenter.com

Keloids after upper eyelid blepharoplasty

As previously stated, keloids tend to form in areas where there is high wound tension, such as the torso and back. When a wound is closed, it is important to remove as much tension as possible from the skin edges to avoid keloids. As an oculoplastic specialist who performs many blepharoplasties, I have never seen keloids form on the upper eyelids. The key is to take all tension off of the skin edges when you close the wound. This is done with stitches underneath the skin and then one to... more

Briggs E. Cook, Jr., MD
Charlotte Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.skincenternc.com

Little to no risk

In my training it was taght that eyelids do not form keloids. However, I have small keloids in 2 African-American patients who had very large reconstructive operations on their eyelids. But I have never seen it after any of the other several thousand eyelid operations including cosmetic blepharoplasty that I have performed.

Jeffrey Schiller, MD
New York Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.beautifuleyes.com

There is no substitute for a personal consultation.

Generally people who say this do not actually form keloids. What they may have is a scar on their torso that this wider than ideal. The scar may even be a little ropy in which case it is a hypertropic scar not a keloid. Keloid are unusual scars that grow beyond the confines of the actual wound. Scars on the body typically heal wider than ideal because of wound tension. This is much less an issue for the eyelid where there is very little wound tension.... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Keloids and blepheroplasty

I have been told by board certified opthomologic cosmetic surgeons that eyelid skin does not keloid. Be sure your incisions stay coml;petely on the lid. I have never seen a lid keloid in 40 years.

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Keloids in eyelids

I concur. In thousands of blepharoplasty cases over 25 years I've never seen a patient left with a scar remotely resembling a keloid. The eyelid appears to be a priveliged site in this regard, and almost always heals with an undetectable scar.

Alan Brackup, MD
Philadelphia Oculoplastic Surgeon

Keloid in Blepharoplasty scar

I agree that it is very unlikely that you would develop a keloid in an upper eyelid blepharoplasty scar.

William H. Gorman, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon

Keloids are very rare after blepharoplasty

Ceelyxo, The risk of keloid formation in the eyelid is very low; almost negligible. I have performed thousands of blepharoplasties and I have never had a patient develop a keloid. I think it is safe for you to proceed with blepharoplasty surgery.