How Long After Eyelid Surgery Can You Wear Makeup

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure to remove excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. It can give you a more rested, youthful appearance and improve vision obstructed by sagging eyelids.

While it doesn’t take long for the incisions to heal after eyelid surgery, you must wait weeks before applying makeup near the operated sites. 

Read on to learn more about how long after eyelid surgery can you wear makeup? Understanding the recovery process, timeline, risks and precautions for wearing makeup after a blepharoplasty, can help.

Recovery Period After Eyelid Surgery

The recovery period after eyelid surgery varies, but here is the general timeline:

First 48 Hours

• Rest with your head elevated higher than your chest
• Use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising
• Take prescribed pain medications as needed
• Avoid straining your eyes or getting water in your eyes

First Week

• Swelling and bruising peak around day 3 before subsiding
• Vision may be blurry temporarily
• Stitches dissolve and fall out on their own
• Avoid strenuous activity for at least 1 week

Second Week

• Bruising continues to fade
• Swelling decreases but minor swelling persists for 2-4 weeks
• Most people return to non-strenuous work within 7-10 days

Third Week

• Incisions have healed significantly by the end of week 3
• Swelling has diminished enough to see surgical results

How long after eyelid surgery can you wear makeup?

Most cosmetic surgeons recommend avoiding makeup around the eyelids and eye area for 3-4 weeks after blepharoplasty. Here’s why:

1. Avoid Infection in Healing Incisions

The incisions are healing and highly vulnerable to infection during the first 3 weeks. Makeup brushes, applicators and products can introduce bacteria.

Even minor infections can lead to serious complications like poor wound healing, abscess, vision issues and needing additional surgery.

2. Prevent Eye Irritation

The eyelid skin and tissues are extremely delicate after surgery. Rubbing, tugging or applying products can disturb healing.

Eye makeup like eyeliner, eye shadow and mascara may contain chemicals that irritate the incisions or internal eye area.

3. Reduce Swelling

Swelling and inflammation peak at around 3 days and can persist for weeks after eyelid procedures. Anything that puts pressure on eyelids can worsen swelling.

Delicate healing tissues are also prone to irritation, redness and inflammation from makeup ingredients.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery Timeline

Here are some general guidelines on recovering after blepharoplasty:

Timeframe	Recovery Milestones	Precautions & Care
Day 1-3	Swelling and bruising peak, some discomfort	Rest, avoid strenuous activities
Week 1	Stitches removal (if non-dissolvable), less bruising	Avoid rubbing eyes, wear sunglasses
Week 2	Noticeable reduction in swelling and bruising	Limited screen time, no heavy lifting
Week 3-4	Return to most normal activities, healing progresses	Protect scars from sun exposure
Month 1-2	Major healing complete, scars begin to fade	Continue gentle skincare routine
Month 3-6	Final results visible, scars continue to mature	Regular check-ups, maintain healthy lifestyle

This table outlines the Eyelid Surgery Recovery Timeline, detailing key milestones, precautions, and care at various stages post-surgery. It provides a clear understanding of what to expect during the healing process, emphasising the importance of following care instructions for optimal recovery.

Can You Cover Bruising Without Makeup?

While you should not apply makeup directly on operated eyelids, you can subtly conceal bruising on surrounding areas during recovery. Some gentle options include:

• Sunglasses: Large, dark sunglasses hide bruises and swelling well when going out
• Concealer on adjacent skin: Apply concealer gently on skin around the eyes without tugging the eyelids
• Cold cucumber slices: Placed on closed eyes, cucumber can help reduce discoloration
• Arnica gel and creams: Arnica is natural herbal medicine that helps minimise bruising
• Green colour corrector: Dab sparingly on bruises to counteract redness before applying concealer

First Time Wearing Makeup After Eyelid Surgery

Once your cosmetic surgeon clears you to start wearing makeup again, follow these tips:

• Do a spot test for irritation before applying eye makeup after blepharoplasty
• Opt for powder-based mineral makeup to avoid tugging on delicate eyelid skin
• Ensure brushes and hands are clean to prevent infection
• Gently dab products around the eye area instead of rubbing
• Avoid waterproof mascara for the first month
• Use a disposable mascara wand and replace monthly
• Monitor for signs of infection like increased pain, redness near incisions

With your surgeon’s approval, you can slowly return to your regular eye makeup routine by 6 weeks after eyelid surgery. Still, take care to be extra gentle for 2-3 months during the final healing phase.

Long-Term Makeup Aftercare Tips

While eyelid surgery delivers youthful, refreshed eyes, you play an important role in maintaining results by caring for your skin. Be sure to:

• Remove eye makeup thoroughly each night
• Throw out old makeup to avoid infections
• Use a daily eyelid cleanser approved by your surgeon
• Apply doctor-recommended ointments to incisions
• Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen on eyelids before sun exposure
• Know signs of infection needing medical care
• Visit your surgeon yearly to check on healing

Does Eyelid Surgery Produce Permanent Results?

For most patients, improvement in eyelid appearance after blepharoplasty lasts for years. However, ageing effects and sun damage continue changing skin laxity and fine lines over time.

To maintain results from eyelid procedures, be sure to:

•  Use proper skincare and sun protection
•  Avoid smoking, which accelerates ageing skin
•  Follow a healthy lifestyle

For some patients, a revision blepharoplasty is needed after 7-15 years as drooping recurs. Discuss maintenance options with your cosmetic surgeon.

Benefits of Delaying Makeup After Surgery

It is crucial to avoid makeup for at least 2 weeks and allow proper healing after blepharoplasty for the following reasons:

• Prevents infection and irritation due to pigments and chemicals.
• Allows incisions to close and stabilise properly.
• Reduces friction and trauma around the delicate eye area.
• Helps swelling resolve uniformly for better outcomes.
• Cosmetics may disguise symptoms of underlying issues.

The short wait is well worth it for successful outcomes!

Is Eyeliner Permanent After Blepharoplasty?

If you had permanent eyeliner (permanent makeup) before undergoing blepharoplasty, it may get distorted with swelling or need a touch-up procedure once healing is complete. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon before surgery.

Some patients choose to get permanent eyeliner redone after blepharoplasty to define their eyes and get an enhanced aesthetic appearance. Wait at least 8 weeks after surgery for any permanent makeup procedures.

• Allow about 2 weeks before applying minimal makeup, 4 weeks before eye makeup, and 6-8 weeks before resuming your makeup routine after blepharoplasty. 
• Be very gentle while cleansing and applying products. 
• Avoid rubbing or irritating the eyes. 
• Contact your surgeon immediately if you have concerns during the recovery period.
• Following proper guidelines helps speed up healing.

Book a Consultation.

Dr Tarek Bayazid is a leading plastic surgeon in Dubai, providing exceptional outcomes in procedures like eyelid surgery. Book a consultation to learn more about blepharoplasty and when to resume wearing makeup after surgery.

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