Will I Have Scars After Blepharoplasty
Where the Incisions Sit and What They Look Like
Upper blepharoplasty incisions are placed within the natural upper eyelid crease (the supratarsal fold), where the resulting scar is concealed by the eyelid fold (AAO EyeWiki, 2023). When the eye is open, the fold hides the line completely for most patients. The scar is only visible when the eye is closed, and even then it looks like a very faint pink or white line.
Lower blepharoplasty incisions are placed just below the lash line (subciliary approach) or via a transconjunctival approach with no external scar at all (AAO EyeWiki, 2023). The transconjunctival incision sits on the inside of the lid, so it leaves no visible mark on the skin.
Visible scarring after blepharoplasty is uncommon when incisions are placed correctly; fully mature scars are typically flat, faint, and imperceptible at 12 months postoperatively (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Springer Nature, 2025). The thin eyelid skin heals better than skin anywhere else on the body, and the natural creases camouflage what does remain.
The Healing Timeline
Sutures are usually removed at 5 to 7 days after surgery (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2025). During this week the incision looks like a fresh line with small suture marks. Swelling and bruising hide most of the scar from view.
Incisions stay pink or red for 4 to 6 weeks as new blood vessels grow in (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2025). The scar is at its most visible during this phase. Mineral sunscreen or silicone gel applied after the wound has closed can calm the redness.
Scars flatten and fade between 1 and 3 months (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2025). You can usually cover any residual pinkness with makeup by six weeks. The texture becomes closer to the surrounding skin.
Most scars blend to near-invisible by 3 to 6 months. By this point, friends and family who do not know about your surgery usually cannot see the line. Final scar maturity is reached at about 12 months.
By the end of the first year, the scar is flat, faint, and usually only visible up close. Continued sun protection keeps it that way for the long term.
What Can Make Scars Worse
Nicotine narrows the small blood vessels that feed healing tissue. Smokers heal more slowly and are more likely to develop thickened or pigmented scars. Stop smoking at least two weeks before surgery and stay off for at least four weeks after.
Darker Fitzpatrick skin types carry a higher risk of hyperpigmentation, prolonged redness, and hypertrophic or keloid scars (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2025). Your surgeon may discuss special incision technique, postoperative care, and sun protection strategies to reduce this risk.
UV light on a healing scar causes permanent darkening. Apply a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide once the incision is closed. Wear sunglasses with side coverage when outside.
Infection, even when mild, widens the scar line. Follow your surgeon's wound care instructions closely: clean gently, apply the prescribed ointment, and do not pick at scabs.
Hypertrophic or keloid scarring after blepharoplasty is uncommon but more likely in patients with a personal or family history of abnormal scarring or darker Fitzpatrick skin types (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2025). Mention any history of raised or dark scars at your consultation.
What You Can Do to Optimize Your Scar
Stop smoking, manage blood pressure, and treat any skin conditions around the eye. Pause supplements that increase bleeding (fish oil, high-dose vitamin E, ginkgo) for two weeks before surgery on your surgeon's instruction.
Keep the incision clean with the cleanser your surgeon provides. Apply antibiotic ointment as directed. Avoid bending, heavy lifting, and rubbing the eye. Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows.
Topical silicone gel or sheeting, when used after suture removal, has evidence supporting reduction in scar thickness and redness (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Springer Nature, 2025). Apply it once the wound is closed and there are no scabs, then use it daily for two to three months.
Sun protection (SPF 30 or higher sunscreen) applied to healed incisions after the first 2 to 3 weeks reduces the risk of pigmentation changes and prolonged redness (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2025). Mineral formulations with zinc or titanium are best tolerated around the eye.
Once the incision is fully closed, gentle massage along the line for a few minutes a day can soften scar tissue. Your surgeon will tell you when to start and how much pressure to use.
When to Contact Your Surgeon
Mild swelling, bruising, pink or red lines, small crusts, and tightness are all expected. These do not need a visit unless they are worsening after the first week.
Call the office if you notice any of these:
- Spreading redness, warmth, or pus around the incision
- Pain that is new or worsening after the first three days
- A scar that is becoming raised, thick, or painful
- A wound edge that is pulling apart
- Fever with a tender eyelid
Wait at least six to twelve months before deciding on scar revision. Most scars that look concerning at one month look fine at a year. If a true thick or pigmented scar remains, options include steroid injection, laser treatment, or surgical revision.
Patient Questions About Blepharoplasty Scars
Lightweight glasses can rest on the bridge of your nose within a few days. Avoid heavy frames or metal bridges that press directly on the incision for the first two weeks.
Most surgeons allow eye makeup two to three weeks after surgery, once the incisions have fully closed. Use new, clean products to avoid introducing bacteria. Mineral-based concealers are gentler on healing skin than liquid products with many preservatives.
Wait at least six weeks before using active ingredients (retinol, glycolic or salicylic acid, vitamin C serums, hydroquinone) near the incision. These products can irritate healing skin and prolong redness.
Your scar matures by twelve months and stays largely the same after that. The surrounding skin will age, which may make the scar relatively less visible as natural lines form in the same area.
Yes. Pulsed dye laser treats persistent redness. Fractional laser can smooth texture. Your oculoplastic surgeon or a dermatologist can discuss whether these are appropriate once the scar is at least three to six months old.
Asian upper blepharoplasty techniques that create or adjust a crease follow the same basic healing pattern. Exact scar placement depends on the chosen crease height and whether the approach is incisional or suture-based. Your surgeon can show you photos of healed results from their own patients.
Find an Oculoplastic Surgeon
Blepharoplasty scars are usually faint and hidden when an experienced oculoplastic surgeon places the incisions carefully. Browse our directory to find a surgeon near you and schedule a consultation.