Silicone Gel for Eye Bag Removal Scarring

Question

I had an upper and lower eye bag removal 6 weeks ago. Now I have a visible scar below my right lower eyelash. My surgeon gave me a silcone gel and said to see him again in 3 months. Will this silcone gel sort the problem out?

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

I have not seen much improvement of scars with use of silicone gel. Usually time heals most scars on the eyelid very well. Even at one year post-surgery I have seen improvements. For an early scar, which is thick or red, I suggest a short course of steroid cream. This usually helps the inflammatory component of the scar to improve quickly.I hope this is helpful to you and others who are concerned about eyelid scars.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Silicone gel is somewhat effective in management of keloids and hypertrophic scars. However, Eyelid skin is the thinnest in the human and typically heals very well. Unless you truly have a hypertrophic scar on your lid or a truly unusual case, silicone gel is unlikely to add anything significant to the natural healing process.

Brian Maloney, MD, FACS · Answer

Scarring of only the right lower eyelid after upper and lower blepharoplasty implies that you sleep on the right side. Silicone gel is a Little bothersome. I would massage, give it six months , and if the appearance does not improve, consider a revision, and change your sleeping patterns.

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

Lower eyelid scarring after a blepharoplasty typically will fade out over the course of six months. Nevertheless, there are some treatments that can hasten scar resolution like the use of mederma and silicone gel sheeting. Both exert occlusive and pressure effects on the scars which tend to help them fade more quickly. Silicon sheeting may be difficult to wear or adhere that close to the eye and silicone gel can also be used. There is no harm in doing something positive to help scars fade.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Subciliary incisions after Blepharoplasty tend to increase in thickness in the immediate postoperative period and will subside in thickness and width with time. Silicone sheeting is difficult to position under the eyelash. Continue aggressive massage as prescibed by your physician.

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

Lec,
It is important to remember that everybody heals differently, and while some people make look perfectly healed at six weeks, many people still have a visible line due to surgery.  However, the eyelids usually heal very nicely, and with more time, you will probably be fine. The silicone may or may not help, it is usually just time that does the trick.
Dr. Miller

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Lec,
Silicone gel and sheeting has been shown to help scaring.  However, it must be used regularly and over several weeks to months to see an effect.  The way I see it, it won't hurt and it may actually help.  Good luck

Brian S. Glatt, MD, FACS · Answer

It is hard to say based on your description as a "visible" scar can mean many things (e.g. Is it raised? Red? Wide? Flat?). But either way, silicone gel is known to help with scarring. In your particular case, I believe gentle regular scar massage may also help. You should discuss this with your surgeon so he can instruct you properly on technique! It is very unusual for lower eyelid scars to heal poorly, and typically, time will sort it out and your scar should fade regardless of how you treat it now.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Hi Lec,
The scar you are referring to is called an infracillary incision. It is a surgical cut through the skin of the lower eyelid just below the eyelashes.
When these are well made, the scar rests up against the lower eyelid lashes and tends to fade in time. I am actually surprised to hear that your surgeon has prescribed this given that this scar tends to hide quite well against the eyelashes. In general, silicone gel is helpful and does speed up the healing of the scar. It is particularly helpful for raised or so-called hypertrophic scars.
There are two types of silicone gel used for this purpose. One is silicone gel sheeting. This material is very good for modifying young scars on the body where the sheeting can be worn under clothing almost continuously. The other form of these products is as a silicone gel ointment. The ointment is most helpful for locations where it might be too conspicuous to wear the sheeting. The sheeting will not work for the lower eyelid incision because of the mobility of this area. Be careful not to get the silicone gel ointment in the eye.
The good new is that this scar will fade in time with or without the silicone gel.

John P. Di Saia, MD · Answer

Hello,
Eyelid scars tend to heal very well. Silicone sheeting is effective for scars, but sometimes hard to keep on spots like the eyelid due to the natural movement. I would probably just have you massage the scar and keep sunscreen on it. It is difficult to tell as I have not seen this scar of course.

Silicone Gel for Eye Bag Removal Scarring

Answers (17)

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