I have been advised by my surgeon that after a blepharoplasty to apply cold compresses. I understand this purpose for the first few days but am confused on why he is now recommending using warm compresses. My purpose is to get rid of the swelling and I've been told by a pharmacist cold does this better. I am not concerned about bruising, but can a surgeon please explain the advantage of switching to warm compresses for getting rid of swelling? If I prefer can I still use cold compresses?
Cold vs. Warm Compresses After Blepharoplasty?
Doctor Answers 31
Dear Rookshire
First the use of cold and warm compresses have much more to do with surgical tradition than evidence base medicine. We as surgeons recommend these physical treatments not because we have a large body of scientific evidence demonstrating their effectiveness but rather, we recommend them because that is the way we were taught. You can see that there is a general consensus that early on, cool compresses are used then later warm compresses.
Do cool or cold compresses reducing swelling? It is a good question. Certainly many patients find the cold comforting. This may be reason enough to recommend this treatment. I personally believe that involving the individual in their own care is a helpful part of the healing process. The fact is there are no great studies that answer these questions. We do not know how effective cold compresses are or if they are effective at all. There are reports of individuals over doing cold compresses and causing frost bite to the skin. There is also a study of cold urticaria following eyelid surgery. This is swelling and inflammation triggered by the cold compress.
The same uncertainty exists for warm compressing after surgery.
What to do? Don't ask the pharmacist. Please listen to your surgeon and follow their advice. If you end up doing less compressing than recommended, remember the recommendations are intended to make you more comfortable. If you are too cold and choose to to do less compressing, it is not likely to have much bearing on your ultimate outcome.
Web reference: http://www.lidlift.com
While cool compresses can feel good for the patient, we do not recommend cold compresses due to the potential of frostbite due to the skin being numb after the procedure. There is no scientific evidence that cold or warm compresses in the first week or 2 will speed the healing process. For many examples of eyelid surgery, please see link below
Web reference: http://www.eyelids.com
Hi, I too recommend cool ice compresses for the first 1-2 days and then the patients can stop, continue, or switch to warm if they like. I like warm wet wash cloths because it cleans up some of the matter and "scabby" look to the incisions as well as the redundant, caked on antibiotic ointment. However, I tell my patients that after the 1st day or 2 of ice, I want them to do what is most soothing. Ultimately, none of it affects the end result and the healing process is really a tincture of time if all has gone well with your procedure.
Good luck!
Jasmine Mohadjer, M.D.
Oculoplastic Surgeon,
Largo, FL
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Cold and hot compresses are both useful after eye surgery, but for very different reasons.
Cold gel packs are used to:
- Reduce/limit swelling
- Relieve discomfort
Warm compresses can be used to:
- Reduce bruising
- Soften early scar tissue
For the first week, I recommend Cold gel packs. After the first week, moist Warm compresses can be used to speed the resolution of bruising. Some patients have used warmed Black Tea bags, as this also has an antioxidant effect.
Swelling and bruising are normal after surgery, but can be minimized by good surgical technique and control of pain and blood pressure. I do not like cold or hot compresses, as they can burn the delicate skin, but instead have my patients use a cool soak (washcloth soaked in a bowl of ice cubes and water) and warm soak, washcloth placed under warm faucet.
Cool soaks reduce early swelling and pain by constricting blood vessels and reducing blood and fluid leakage. They also help to reduce early pain by numbing the nerves.
After the first few days, warm compresses help dilate the veins and lymphatics, so they can clear the blood that has caused bruising and the fluid that caused swelling.
Keeping your head elevated, and avoiding strenuous activity will also reduce bruising and swelling.
Cold compresses in the first 48 hours are helpful in reducing swelling and discomfort. Beyond that period the nature of compresses probably make little to no difference to you recovery. Warm compresses can sometimes be useful in breaking clots, but highly doubtful if it actually makes any difference. So, don't stress too much over the compresses.
Eyelids have a very good blood supply. For that reason they heal very well. However they also bruise and swell very easily. Cold compresses constricts blood vessels . That reduces bruising and acute (sudden) swelling. I suggest that my patients use cold compresses for the first 3-4 days. Warm compresses dilate the blood vessels and help you body do what it needs to to break down the bruise and carry away long term swelling. So that is generally better after 3-4 days.
However, eye swell very easily and some patients notice that during the few weeks following surgery they have sudden episodes of swelling. If that happens, it is best to switch back to cold compresses for a few days.
The bottom line is that cold compresses are the most important because they help prevent the problem of bruising in the first place. The less bruising, the shorter your recovery.
Thank you for your question. I will always advise my patients to use cotton pads soaked in Witchazel (buy from chemist), which has been left in the fridge. Use this as cold compresses as often as you can, this will sooth and reduce swelling. Do use an eye ointment such as: chloramphenicol, this needs to be applied just before you go to bed, this is a mild antibiotic as well as providing your eyes with lubrication at night. The ointment can cause some blurriness which is only temporary and resolves by the morning.
All The Best
All The Best
Web reference: https://www.bellavou.co.uk/face/eyelid-surgery/
During recovery from eyelift surgery, I recommend cold compresses for the first 48 hours in order to decrease swelling and improve the rate of recovery. Hot compresses generally increase blood flow to the area where they are applied, which in turn can increase edema. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon for his or her explanation.
I also recommend cold compresses for the first few days. Warm compresses later may help break up bruising. I don't know if it works, but I suggest you follow the surgeon's instructions, but also be patient.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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