Will my upper bleph scars ever become invisible? What can I do if they don't?

Question

12 days post upper bleph. Despite faithfully using arnica, bromelain and Vitamin C for 2 weeks pre surgery, I got two very black eyes, lots of swelling and my scar lines are very visible and bumpy in some spots. It's only with lots of dermablend and my long bangs that I'm able to even go out in public. I feel like I will never look normal again. Am I disfigured for life? I feel sick to my stomach when I look in the mirror. Please help.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

First of all, you just had surgery less than two weeks ago.  Take it easy on yourself and realize that it takes the body time to heal.  That being said, I would reserve judgment on your final results for at least 3 to 4 months. 
When performing eyelid surgery, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon will make the incision inside the crease of the eyelid and suture underneath the lid, where the stitches cannot be seen. It is also fortunate that the skin on the eyelid is very thin and heals so well that the scars will be virtually invisible. Massaging the scar, once it's healed, can help break down the collagen and make it blend into surrounding skin faster.
I hope this helps!

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

You are very early in the healing phase.  We expect the scar to be visible for several weeks.  With time an upper eyelid scar should soften and flatten, and is usually minimally visible.  I would not be putting a lot of makeup onto it at this point if it appears inflammed still.  Some people will lose pigment in the scar, and will end up with a white line.  This is only visible with the eye closed and easily covered with makeup. So give yourself time to heal.  I would recommend some tinted glasses for now if you are concerned about the appearance.

Sunny Park, MD, MPH · Answer

It has only been 2 weeks since your surgery so what you are going through is a normal part of recovery.  It can take a few weeks for all the swelling to go down.  The scar will usually subside in the next few months.  Be patient, make sure to follow all the instructions given by your surgeon and follow up with you surgeon.  It will take some time but you will be better soon.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

should get better as you continue to heal.  I personally like to use warm compresses to help with resolution of bruising.  Scars will continue to evolve and mature over time and predictably heal well with minimal long term issues.  So your bruising will impact your ability to resume life but it will go away.

Will my upper bleph scars ever become invisible? What can I do if they don't?

Answers (7)

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Answer: Blepharoplasty post op

Answer: Bruising and bumpy scars after blepharoplasty

Answer: Bruising and bumpy scars after blepharoplasty

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Will my upper bleph scars ever become invisible? What can I do if they don't?

Answers (7)

Answer: Blepharoplasty post op

Answer: Blepharoplasty post op

Answer: Bruising and bumpy scars after blepharoplasty

Answer: Bruising and bumpy scars after blepharoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.