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Should Blepharoplasty Scars Be Less Evident by Now?

I had eyelid surgery 5 weeks ago and my scars are still prominent even with makeup. I have followed recovery instructions and use an oitment my doctor had me start 5 days after surgery to hasten healing.

My scars are not only a very visible and long redline, they also are thick and raised -- very promenent when I close my eyes and touch my scar. The doctor said this is no problem, such evident scaring is normal at 5 weeks. However, I have read in more than a few articles and websites that eyelide scars should be not much noticeable by this time.

Am I impatient? Or, if red, thick texture lines at 5 weeks is not usual, what should I do? This is my second eyelid surgery. Does that make a difference?

Asked 40 months ago by ksusanb in San Francisco, CA

Tags:

droopy

Don't panic, but there may be ways to speed blepharoplasty recovery

Don't panic. Upper eyelid incision scars usually heal beautifully with barely perceptible lines. Occasionally, these incisions will take longer to heal, especially if large amounts of skin were removed or the incision was extended farther to the outside to remove more skin. The skin involved in healing is thicker in these situations and can take longer and remain thicker for a longer period of time. All this being said, what I usually have my patients do is to massage the scars gently 3-4... more

Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

All incision scars go through a maturation phase

This is a good question. Whenever you have a wound or incision, the healing scar must mature, which involves multiple phases of collagen transformation. At six weeks, the collagen is the thickest and then over several weeks flattens. At the same time, the overlying epidermis of the skin turns red or pink and then over several weeks returns to your normal skin color. However, incisions may still be distinguishable depending on factors which you really can't control - genetics, infection,... more

David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Patience is a virtue

Unless you have an infection, you should be patient as scars of the uppr lids are usually the most imperceptible. Sometimes, if large amounts of skin is removed, there can be a noticeable transition between thicker skin of the upper part of the lid and the thinner skin of the lower part of the lid.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Thick, red, raised eyelid scars are not normal after 5 weeks

Of course, you are understandably anxious, and may not be describing things quite accurately, but if your scars are as prominent as they sound, then there is a problem. Hypertrophic scars or keloids are almost unheard of in the eyelids, so I am not sure what to suggest, but definitely talk to your doctor.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Be patient

While all patients scar differently, most upper eyelid scars heal very well. In general scars in most places tend to look fairly red and inflammed at about the 6-8 week mark, and continue to mature for up to a year, somtimes longer. I would tell you to wait several months before considering doing anything else. The thickness of the scars should also improve during this time. It should not make much of a difference that this is your second eyelid surgery.

Vishal Kapoor, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

At six weeks, scars are at their worst

Eyelid and skin incision scars go through a healing process. At six weeks, incision are at their worst in appearance so I wouldnt worry. I would avoid the sun because that tends to prolong the healing. If you have had a cut before you would know that the instant you had a cut, it didn't look that bad. However over a couple days it got red, left a scab and then started healing. These incisions should resolve without a problem within the next several months. This is still in the early... more

Chris Thiagarajah, MD

Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon

Eyelid incisions

At this point in time the incisions should still be visisble...however the desciption of thickened may be more than expected. You should go beck to see your physician regarding this matter

Barry E. DiBernardo, MD

Montclair Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

5 Weeks Is Early to Worry But You Can Start Treating Eyelid Crease Scarring

I am sorry to learn about your concerns. After 5 weeks I would still expect your being able notice the eyelid crease incision ( I assume your are speaking about an upper eyelid surgery.) Everyone is different in the amount of time that this takes to heal. If the area is raised you can very gently massage the area 2-3 x/ day for 5 minutes. Please also speak to your cosmetic surgeon about creams that can be massaged into the area to improve the line faster. As an Ocular Plastic... more