What causes under eye bruising post upper blepharoplasty?

Question

I had upper blepharoplasty via laser 10 days ago. Why is most of the bruising below both eyes?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,You can expect the majority of bruising and swelling to resolve within 2 weeks however it can take up to 6 months for final results. Bruising will tend to travel downward and settle with gravity. This is not unusual. All the best!

Himansu Shah, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. It is not unusual to have lower eyelids bruised post upper blepharoplasty procedure. The eyelid skin is thin and any blood tracking down can cause bruising. It does go away relatively fast. Good luck.

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

Thank you for the question. Any bruising you have now is not related to the blepharoplasty you had 10 years ago. Sometimes patients just bruise around the eyelids for no apparent reason. Others are taking blood thinners and this contribute to the bruising. See an Oculoplastic Surgeon for comprehensive evaluation. Good luck.

James D. Wethe, MD · Answer

The simplest answer is 
"gravity"... bruising of the upper lid post surgery will tend to travel 
downward over short or longer periods of time and so despite the fact 
that the lower lids were not operated upon you can still have bruising there and it can take a couple of weeks to go away in some cases.  J. Wethe, M.D.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

This is very common. A small amount of bleeding in the upper eyelids travels down along the tissue planes and settles in the lower eyelid. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Tracy E. McCall, MD · Answer

The bruising highlights one of those really cool anatomy lessons. There are little fascial bands in different places in your body. Fluid will pool up against these bands and fluid does respond to gravity. This is why black eyes have that round, sharp demarcation to them. You'll even see this in people who have hit their foreheads and gotten bruises. After some time the bruising runs down and collects in the lower lids (not in everyone). You had surgery on your lids and the swelling runs downhill and pools up against the fascial connections. It will eventually go away. Some people heal faster than others. Try not to worry too much and if you have more questions about it go back to see your surgeon.The human body is fabulous. I encourage you to learn more about anatomy, health, and medicine. It is truly beautiful and inspiring.

F. True Lansden, MD · Answer

Bruising can occur in the cheeks and in the lower lids after an upper blepharoplasty or after a brow lift.  This is due to blood diffusing through the tissues under the effect of gravity.  I have seen this occur as far down as the jawline but should resolve like any bruising.  Vitamin K creams or Arnica Montana may help to excelerate the resolution of the bruise.

Chris Thiagarajah, MD · Answer

Blood tracking down via gravity to the lower eyelids can cause bruising there after upper eyelid blepharoplasty. In fact, patients can even have bruising on their neck. This goes away after 2 weeks. If your surgery was 10 years ago, it is unrelated.

What causes under eye bruising post upper blepharoplasty?

Answers (8)

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