Will I Have Scars From Eyelid Surgery?
in New York City & Manhattan

*Model

by Dr. Steven Wallach

One of the most common worries among plastic surgery patients is scars. Scars can be noticeable, taking away from the subtle results you wanted. Additionally, they can also give away the fact you’ve had a procedure. Whatever your reasons for wanting to avoid scars, they’re valid. Eyelid surgery in particular can cause worries about scars since the eyes are a very visible area of the face. The short answer is that yes, you will have scars after eyelid surgery, which removes excess skin through an incision. But, you won’t need to worry about scars as much as you’re thinking when you choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Here’s what to know about eyelid surgery scars and how Dr. Steven Wallach can ensure a stunning result.

What Happens During Eyelid Surgery?

First, it’s important to understand what happens during this surgical procedure. Dr. Wallach prefers to use sedation or general anesthesia over local anesthesia. There are two types of eyelid surgery – upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery. During each cosmetic procedure, Dr. Wallach performs incisions and rejuvenates the underlying muscles, connective tissue, and fat pads before getting rid of excess eyelid skin. Excess fat can also be removed, and Dr. Wallach may even resuspend tissues to ensure a smoother, brighter result. Incisions are carefully chosen and placed in the upper and lower eyelids depending on the technique.

Upper Eyelid Incisions

Upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty) uses an incision within the natural crease of the sagging upper eyelid. You can find the natural crease of your upper lids by gently feeling the top of your eyeball where it meets the brow bone. If you’re considering upper eyelid surgery, this crease may be obscured by sagging skin. Dr. Wallach removes this excess eyelid skin, and this crease becomes the basis for the new eyelid fold. That means the incision and any scarring will be hidden within the natural contour of this crease when you open your eyes. This makes it easily concealable, especially with makeup.

This doesn’t always apply to Asian double eyelid surgery, which is a slightly different procedure. Dr. Wallach can give you more details during a consultation.

Lower Eyelid Incisions

Lower eyelid surgery (lower blepharoplasty) uses an incision either within the lower lash line or inside the eyelid. Although it may seem uncomfortable, the incision inside the lid (transconjunctival blepharoplasty) is preferred by many of our patients because it results in no visible scarring whatsoever. From there, Dr. Wallach can lift and smooth excess skin and sagging bags of fat. He may remove excess fat as needed. He uses highly specialized suture techniques to ensure you don’t experience irritation from the sutures.

How to Minimize Scarring After Eyelid Surgery

Any surgery will produce scarring, but there are steps you can take to minimize it during your recovery. These steps include:

Avoid Sunlight

Sunlight is a large contributor to visible scars. Scar tissue is especially sensitive to UV rays, and in response, it often darkens or lightens in color in relation to the surrounding skin. The scar tissue can also thicken and become more textured. Finally, UV damage can dry out the scar tissue, causing it to lose elasticity. For these reasons, wearing SPF 30+ daily on your incisions is essential to helping your scars fade effectively. Dr. Wallach can recommend SPF that will protect your incisions while also remain comfortable to wear around your eyes. We also recommend wearing UV-protective sunglasses and staying inside during the middle part of the day.

Use Scar Treatments

Silicone scar treatments are highly effective at helping plastic surgery scars fade. They’re used once your incisions heal and throughout the rest of your recovery (even up to several months after). These gels and creams provide an ideal environment for scar tissue to mature with the rest of the skin, keeping the area moisturized and protected. Dr. Wallach can recommend a scar treatment system and give you instructions on when to begin using it after your procedure.

Follow Post-Operative Instructions

The most important thing you can do for your recovery is follow instructions. Dr. Wallach has decades of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery and aesthetics and has developed a detailed post-operative care process. Make sure to follow instructions and reach out to our team with questions to ensure the best result.

Eyelid Surgery in New York City, NY

Eyelid surgery is a highly effective rejuvenation procedure that removes excess eyelid skin for a brighter, more awake look. To learn more about eyelid surgery and how you can love your results, schedule a consultation with Dr. Wallach by calling or filling out our online form.