Bruising after Eyelid Surgery - How Long Will It Last? By dsherris on May 14, 2019

How bruises progress Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, can rejuvenate the appearance of the upper or lower eyelids. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it is the second most popular facial plastic surgery procedure, just behind rhinoplasty.

However, like all surgical procedures, eyelid surgery does result in some side effects. In this blog post, Dr. David Sherris discusses bruising after eyelid surgery, including how long it lasts and how you can minimize it. Contact our Buffalo, NY practice to find out if you are a good candidate for this procedure.

How Long Does Bruising Last?

Most visible bruising is gone within two weeks after upper or lower eyelid surgery. However, in some cases, it can persist for three to four weeks.

The Bruising Timeline

Bruising is typically at its worst by 48 to 72 hours after surgery. While it can be distressing to see the bruising get worse, remember that this is a normal and healthy healing response.

In the first day or two, you may notice that the bruise is red in color as fresh blood pools beneath the skin. After about three days, the bruise will turn purple. Over the next few days, the bruise may become bluer in color.

After about five to 10 days, the body releases compounds that break down the hemoglobin. At this time, you can expect the bruise to turn green or yellow in color. After about 10 to 14 days, the bruise turns brown before fading completely.

This is a general bruising timeline. Of course, every patient’s response to bruising is different, and it may take longer for bruises to heal after eyelid surgery.

How to Reduce Bruising

While you can’t prevent bruising altogether after eyelid surgery, there are some ways that you can minimize it:

In the first few days after surgery, apply a cold compress to the area and repeat. This will not only help brusing but swelling as well.
Sleep on your back with your head elevated.
Avoid touching the eye area.
Do not exercise or engage in any type of strenuous activity.
Avoid sun or wind exposure

How Can I Conceal Bruises?

For the first week after surgery, plan on staying at home and indoors. If you have to go out or see people for any reasons, you may wish to wear dark sunglasses.

After about 10 days, you may apply some concealer and other make-up to hide any bruising. However, talk to your surgeon to make sure that any incisions have healed over and there is no risk of infection.

How Much Bruising Is Normal?

Some patients may be concerned that the degree of bruising they are experiencing is not normal. If your bruising, swelling, and redness seems to be getting worse, contact our Buffalo practice to schedule a follow-up appointment.

Dr. Sherris will check your healing progress and determine if there is a problem. In the majority of cases, bruising is completely normal and expected.