Blepharoplasty Scars: Where They Go and How They Heal

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, removes excess skin and fat from the upper or lower eyelids. Like any surgery that goes through the skin, it leaves scars. The good news is that eyelid scars are among the easiest scars in plastic surgery to hide, because the incisions follow the natural lines of the eye. This guide explains where the scars go, how they heal and what you can do to help them fade.

Where the incisions are placed

Upper eyelid surgery

In an upper blepharoplasty the incision is placed in the natural crease of the upper lid, the fold that forms when your eye is open. Excess skin, and sometimes fat, is removed through that incision. When your eyes are open, the scar sits inside the fold and is hidden. It can sometimes be seen with the eyes closed while it is still pink, and becomes much harder to see as it matures.

Lower eyelid surgery

Lower blepharoplasty can be done in two ways:

Transconjunctival. The incision is made on the inside of the lower lid. There is no scar on the skin at all. This approach suits people who mainly have puffiness or bags from fat and good skin elasticity.
Subciliary. The incision is made just below the lash line. It allows loose skin to be removed along with the fat, and the scar sits in the shadow of the lashes, where it heals to a fine line.

Which approach is right depends on your anatomy, not on a preference for one technique. The guide to blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills covers how upper and lower surgery are planned.

Why eyelid scars heal so well

Eyelid skin is the thinnest skin on the body and has a generous blood supply, so it tends to heal quickly and with a fine scar. The incisions also follow existing creases, so the scar lines up with a fold your face already has. Dr. Newman's technique and suturing are specifically designed to minimize scar visibility, with incisions placed in the crease above and inside or just below the lashes below.

What the scar looks like as it heals

The first week. The incision is closed with very fine stitches. Swelling and bruising around the eyes are normal and usually the most noticeable part of recovery. Stitches are typically removed within about a week.
The following weeks. The line is pink and may feel slightly firm. This is normal healing, and makeup can usually cover it once your surgeon confirms the incision has closed.
The following months. The pinkness fades and the scar flattens and softens. For most people it becomes very hard to see once it has fully matured.

How to help your scars fade

Protect them from the sun. Sun on a healing scar can darken it. Wear sunglasses and, once the incision has healed, use sunscreen your surgeon approves.
Do not rub or pull. Avoid rubbing your eyes and be gentle when removing makeup.
Do not smoke. Nicotine reduces blood flow and slows healing.
Follow your aftercare. Keep the incisions clean, use any ointment you are given and ask before using silicone gel or other scar products near the eye.
Be patient. Scars keep improving for months, so judge the result once healing is complete, not in the first weeks.

When to ask your surgeon

Most eyelid scars settle without any problem. Contact your surgeon if a scar becomes raised or thick, if a small bump appears along the line, or if your lower lid feels like it is pulling down or does not sit against the eye. These issues are uncommon and are usually manageable when they are looked at early. If an older scar from a past procedure bothers you, the guide to scar revision explains the options.

Combining eyelid surgery with other procedures

Eyelid surgery is often paired with a brow lift or a facelift. Each procedure has its own incisions, and the guides to brow lift scars and facelift scars explain where those go.

The short version

Blepharoplasty leaves scars, but they are placed where the eyelid hides them. Upper eyelid scars sit in the natural crease and are hidden when your eyes are open. Lower eyelid surgery can often be done from inside the lid with no visible scar, or through a fine incision just under the lashes. The line is pink at first and fades over the following months. Sun protection, gentle care and patience do the most to help it heal well.

Thinking about eyelid surgery?

A consultation looks at your upper and lower lids, explains where your incisions would go and what your scars should look like as they heal.

Request a Consultation

Yes, any incision through the skin leaves a scar. In upper eyelid surgery the incision sits in the natural crease, so the scar folds out of sight when your eyes are open. Lower eyelid surgery can often be done from inside the lid, which leaves no visible scar at all.

Eyelid skin is thin and heals quickly. The incision line is usually pink at first and fades over the following weeks and months. Most people find it hard to see once healing is complete, though everyone heals at their own pace.

Often, yes. The transconjunctival approach places the incision on the inside of the lower lid, so nothing shows on the skin. It suits people who mainly need fat removed or repositioned. If there is also loose skin, a fine incision just below the lashes may be needed.

Wait until your surgeon says the incision has healed, usually after the stitches are out and the skin has closed. After that, makeup can cover any remaining pinkness.

Sun exposure, rubbing or pulling on the eyelids, smoking and ignoring aftercare instructions can all make a scar more noticeable. Protecting the area while it heals makes the biggest difference.

Many can. A scar that stays raised, thick or pulls on the lid should be assessed by a plastic surgeon, who can discuss options such as scar treatment or revision once the tissue has fully matured.