When should I massage my blepharoplasty scar?

What is surgical blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery technique that rejuvenates the eyes by treating the upper and lower eyelids.

Surgical blepharoplasty combines two surgical techniques: lipofilling and resection of excess skin. Lipofilling is the transfer of autologous fat, taken from the patient. The fat is harvested from the abdomen, the thighs or the back of the knees, then cleaned, defibrosed and reinjected into the eyelids. This technique can be used to fill hollow dark circles.

Resection involves removing excess skin. Using a CO2 laser scalpel, the surgeon makes an incision in the eyelid crease (for the upper eyelids) or flush with the eyelashes (for the lower eyelids). The skin is tightened and the eyes look younger.

Alternatively, pinch blepharoplasty can be performed on the lower eyelids. Unlike addition blepharoplasty, the subcutaneous tissues and the orbicularis muscle are spared. The scar is virtually concealed, although its visibility depends on healing.

Lastly, transconjunctival removal of the bags eliminates the fatty hernias located under the eyes. The scars are then hidden inside the eyelids.

When is surgical blepharoplasty recommended?

Surgical blepharoplasty is a very common procedure. It is particularly indicated to treat dark circles and ageing of the eyelids.

With age, the face undergoes skin ageing. Collagen and elastin levels decline, and wrinkles appear as the fat melts away. This affects the skin of the eyelids in particular, which is very thin. The result is ptosis of the upper eyelid, which droops and covers the eye. Hollow dark circles, a hollow under the lower eyelids, also appear. This loss of volume also leads to coloured dark circles, where the blood vessels of the orbicularis muscle show through the skin.

Blepharoplasty can be performed from the age of 35 to 40. There is no medical indication for this procedure: it is purely aesthetic. The decision is left entirely to the patient, depending on how self-conscious they feel about their eyes.

Blepharoplasty is minimally invasive, with only rare contraindications linked to the anaesthesia given before the procedure. As a precaution, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not undergo it.

What will my eyes look like after blepharoplasty?

The after-effects of blepharoplasty are minor. Post-operative swelling and bruising may occur, but they fade within a few days. You may also experience visual discomfort or dry eyes. As with any procedure, recovery time varies according to the individual and to the type of blepharoplasty performed. Recovery is generally rapid, however, and it is possible to return to work within a few weeks.

The position of the scars varies according to the procedure. After an upper blepharoplasty, they run from the crease of the upper eyelid to the wrinkles at the corner of the eye. They become imperceptible after a few months.

Lower blepharoplasty can be performed internally, without a scar on the skin, or externally. In the latter case, the lower eyelid scars run under the eyelashes. They are barely visible, as they are camouflaged in the natural crease of the eyelids.

When should I massage my blepharoplasty scar?

A gentle massage of the eyelid after blepharoplasty helps to reduce the appearance of the scars. Scars look pinkish for the first few weeks, before gradually fading. It is a good idea to massage them daily a few days (around 10 days) after the operation, to support healing. A healing cream is then recommended.

Using only your fingertips, massage both the scar and the surrounding tissue. Work from the nose towards the ear, pushing back the swelling every evening for 15 days with the healing and moisturising cream: massage helps soften scar tissue, which is often harder during the remodelling phase.

Continue massaging until the scars have softened.

How do I care for my blepharoplasty scars?

It takes about 2 weeks before make-up can be applied to the scars. To reduce their appearance more quickly, it is advisable to avoid make-up altogether for the first seven days after surgery. You should also avoid rubbing your eyes: scars are fragile and may reopen during the first 10 days.

Blepharoplasty scars must also be protected from UV rays, by wearing sunglasses or sunscreen, to avoid pigmentation. It takes several months for healing to be complete, and the final appearance of the scars is visible about a year after the operation.