When Can You Wear Makeup After Non-Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery? Including Reviews of Swelling and Loss of the Fold

When Can You Wear Makeup After Non-Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery? Including Reviews of Swelling and Loss of the Fold

People who are planning to undergo, or have already undergone, non-incisional double eyelid surgery are often just as curious about when they can start wearing makeup after surgery, how long the swelling will last, and whether the double eyelid fold might disappear as they are about the surgical results themselves. Non-incisional surgery is known to involve a faster recovery than incisional surgery, but this does not mean that you can immediately resume your usual routine right after surgery. Since the recovery process may vary depending on the individual's eye condition, surgical method, and extent of suturing, it is best to follow general recovery guidelines while taking care of the area. Today, we will look at when swelling usually subsides after non-incisional double eyelid surgery, whether the fold may disappear, and when makeup can be applied after surgery.

When Can You Start Wearing Makeup After Non-Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery?

One of the questions we are often asked when checking a patient's recovery after surgery is when makeup can be applied after non-incisional double eyelid surgery. Although non-incisional surgery does not involve a large incision in the skin, sutures are still placed in the eyelids, so it is best to avoid irritating the area around the eyes during the early stages. In particular, makeup that comes into direct contact with the eyelids, such as eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara, may touch the surgical area during cleansing.

Based on the typical recovery process, light face makeup may be possible from around 6–7 days after surgery (after the sutures have been removed), but the exact timing may vary depending on the surgical method and the condition of the sutures. Therefore, rather than starting makeup solely based on the number of days that have passed, it is best to follow the timing recommended by the medical institution where you had surgery. When applying makeup for the first time, start lightly instead of rubbing your eyelids or applying heavy makeup as usual, and minimize irritation when cleansing as well.

To summarize the timing:

• 6–7 days: Light face makeup may be possible after suture removal.

• 3–4 weeks: Light eye makeup may be possible, although this varies from person to person, and care should be taken when removing it.

However, recovery does not progress at the same speed for everyone simply because the procedure was non-incisional.

When Is Swelling Worst After Non-Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery?

Swelling after non-incisional double eyelid surgery may be especially noticeable immediately after surgery and for approximately 2–3 days afterward. The eyelids may look thicker than usual, and the double eyelid fold may appear higher than it actually is. Bruising may also occur. During this time, the fold may look unusual whenever you look in the mirror, but it is difficult to judge the final shape of the double eyelids based only on their appearance immediately after surgery.

1–3 days after surgery

This is when the initial swelling is most noticeable. Opening your eyes may feel more uncomfortable than usual, or your eyelids may feel tight. During this period, rather than touching the area around your eyes unnecessarily, it is best to care for it according to the instructions provided by your clinic.

4–7 days after surgery

The swelling begins to subside gradually compared with the initial period. With non-incisional surgery, many people find it more comfortable to go outside or resume light daily activities from this point onward. However, the double eyelid fold may still look darker or higher than usual. Since the swelling may subside at different rates in each eye, the eyes may temporarily appear asymmetrical.

1–2 weeks after surgery

This is when a significant amount of the noticeable swelling has subsided. Many people can return to daily activities such as work or school without major inconvenience, although some residual swelling may still be visible up close. It is also not unusual for the double eyelid fold to still look slightly thick, especially in photographs.

3–4 weeks after surgery

Most of the initial swelling has subsided considerably, and the appearance of the eyes gradually becomes more natural. However, if the eyelid skin is thick or there was substantial swelling, slight residual swelling may still remain during this period.

1–3 months after surgery

This is when the double eyelid fold gradually stabilizes. Although non-incisional surgery generally involves a relatively quick recovery, it may take approximately 1–3 months for residual swelling to subside and the fold to settle, depending on the individual. Therefore, it is best not to consider the appearance after only one week to be the final result.

The Fold May Look Different as the Swelling Subsides

When reading reviews of non-incisional double eyelid surgery, you may see comments such as, “It looked too prominent at first, but became more natural over time,” or, “I was worried because one side looked higher, but they became more similar as the swelling went down.” In fact, immediately after surgery, swelling can make the double eyelid fold look higher and thicker than it actually is. In addition, swelling does not subside at exactly the same rate in both eyes, so differences between the sides may feel more pronounced during the early stages. Therefore, it is too early to conclude that the fold is incorrect based only on its appearance a few days or one week after surgery.

Why Can the Fold Disappear After Non-Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery?

Non-incisional surgery creates the double eyelid fold using sutures instead of making an incision in the skin. Compared with incisional surgery, it places less burden on patients regarding incision scars and generally allows for a faster recovery. However, in some cases, the fold may weaken or disappear over time. This does not mean that non-incisional folds inevitably disappear.

The likelihood of the fold weakening or disappearing after non-incisional double eyelid surgery can be affected by various factors, including the thickness of the eyelid skin, the amount of fat, the strength used to open the eyes, the existing condition of the eyelids, and the suturing method. In particular, irritation during the recovery period after surgery may increase the possibility of the fold weakening or disappearing. Therefore, during the recovery period, while the tissues are adhering, you should especially avoid touching or irritating the area and take care not to cause irritation when applying or removing makeup. This is why it is recommended to wait at least four weeks before wearing makeup. Once the double eyelid tissues have properly adhered, the likelihood of the fold disappearing is significantly reduced.

When to Check with Your Medical Team

Swelling and bruising after surgery are common parts of the recovery process. However, if the swelling or pain becomes worse over time, or if bleeding continues, it is best to contact the medical institution where you had surgery rather than simply waiting for the swelling to subside.

In particular, if you experience severe pain, changes in vision, or serious signs of inflammation, you should seek medical attention promptly.

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Check the Number of Days When Reading Reviews of Non-Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery

When looking for reviews of non-incisional double eyelid surgery online, it is better to check how many days have passed since surgery rather than looking only at the photographs. Even for the same person, the appearance of the eyes the day after surgery can look considerably different from their appearance one month later.

The general progression can be outlined as follows:

The day of surgery–3 days → The period when initial swelling is most noticeable

4–7 days → The period when significant swelling begins to subside

1–2 weeks → The period when daily activities become more comfortable

3–4 weeks → The period when the appearance of the eyes gradually becomes more natural

1–3 months → The period when the fold becomes more stable

This is a general way to think about the recovery process.

However, these are only general ranges. Even with the same non-incisional method, recovery may vary depending on the individual's eyelid condition, extent of surgery, and ability to recover.

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It Is Best Not to Rush Makeup or Recovery from Swelling

Although non-incisional double eyelid surgery generally involves a relatively quick recovery, it is best to let your eyes rest sufficiently during the first few days rather than trying to return to your usual routine immediately after surgery. Makeup should also be applied only after the surgical area has stabilized, and at first you should avoid rubbing the area around your eyes firmly. Swelling after double eyelid surgery often decreases noticeably after about one week, but residual swelling may last longer. Also, rather than immediately assuming that the fold has disappeared because it looks slightly different, you should monitor its progress for a sufficient period.

Ultimately, rather than using statements found in other people's double eyelid surgery reviews—such as “I wore makeup after three days” or “All the swelling was gone after one week”—as your own standard, it is best to make decisions based on your personal recovery.

Conclusion

Compared with incisional surgery, non-incisional surgery generally allows for a faster recovery and tends to involve a lower financial burden. However, the appropriate method and surgical approach vary depending on the individual's eye shape and condition. We recommend consulting thoroughly with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine whether the non-incisional method is suitable for your eyelids, understand its potential durability and possible side effects, and prepare for surgery safely.

This article is intended to provide general medical information about double eyelid surgery. Results and the recovery process may vary depending on the individual's eye condition and surgical method. Possible side effects after surgery include swelling, bruising, pain, scarring, asymmetry, infection, bleeding, changes in the double eyelid fold, or loss of the fold. Please make your decision after having a thorough consultation with your medical team before surgery.