Makeup and Precautions After Double Eyelid Surgery

Hello, this is Baba Plastic Surgery.

As the weather gets colder and the full winter break and New Year approach, there are many cases where people choose to undergo plastic surgery in winter because they were unable to do so in summer out of concern that it might worsen. In particular, double eyelid surgery has a relatively short recovery period compared to other procedures, and it is a plastic surgery option that many people choose because a return to daily life is possible in a fairly short time. However, even though recovery is relatively quick and it is a procedure that can bring change in a short period of time, if you do not allow enough recovery time or follow the precautions after double eyelid surgery, scarring may remain on the eyelids or side effects may occur.

So today, we will look at makeup after double eyelid surgery and the precautions after double eyelid surgery, which many people are curious about and have asked about most often.

When can you wear makeup after double eyelid surgery?

The most important thing about makeup after double eyelid surgery is that it should be done gradually according to each patient’s recovery condition and progress. Because the timing and method of surgery vary for each patient, guidance is also given differently according to each patient, but on average, we advise that it is possible after 4 weeks (about one month).

In particular, on the day the stitches are removed, that is, on day 7 when the stitches after double eyelid surgery are removed, the wound area exposed by stitch removal is still open, so if you apply makeup, the wound on the skin may worsen or become inflamed, so you must be extremely careful. From 1 to 2 days after stitch removal, simple face washing and skin makeup become possible as long as they do not cause irritation.

Depending on the surgical method, if eye correction, double-incision surgery, fat grafting to the upper eyelids, or epicanthoplasty was performed, we recommend waiting 4 weeks. For other procedures, makeup may be possible from 2 weeks after surgery depending on the recovery progress. However, even if makeup is possible after 2 weeks, you should minimize irritation during the cleansing step when removing makeup.

Can you wear contact lenses after double eyelid surgery?

After double eyelid surgery, the eyelids are sensitive and swollen, so if you grab or pull the eyelid skin to put in contact lenses, it may cause irritation and make inflammation and swelling worse. Therefore, we recommend wearing contact lenses at least 3 weeks after surgery.

However, if you try wearing contact lenses after 3 weeks and feel a foreign-body sensation or pain, remove the lenses immediately and visit the hospital for a follow-up check, then we recommend allowing a longer recovery period.

How can you get rid of bruising and swelling faster after double eyelid surgery?

Bruising and swelling occur and subside through blood circulation in the body, so compresses are important.

1. Cold compress (day 2 to 3 after double eyelid surgery): We recommend a cold compress to constrict blood vessels in order to prevent microbleeding.

2. Warm compress (from day 4 after double eyelid surgery): Unlike a cold compress, a warm compress helps hemoglobin be absorbed more quickly and is recommended to promote blood circulation.

★3. Massage: It may help bruising go away by aiding lymphatic circulation, but if the stimulation is too strong, it can also affect the surgical result, so after double eyelid surgery we do not recommend massage.

4. Bruise cream: It can help blood clotting and relieve bruising and swelling.

When can you drink alcohol and smoke after double eyelid surgery?

Alcohol consumption and smoking affect blood circulation, which is one of the most important factors after double eyelid surgery. After double eyelid surgery, the wound-healing process is important, and if blood circulation is smooth at this time, faster recovery is possible.

Basically, bacteria are present on our skin, mucous membranes, and in the air. The main problem is the nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes. These substances constrict blood vessels, so nutrients in the blood and immune cells do not move to the surgical site.

Therefore, if you smoke, oxygen and nutrients are not supplied to the surgical site, recovery is delayed, and the longer the recovery is delayed, the more severe the scarring reaction can become. In addition, because immune cells that fight bacteria are not delivered, inflammation can easily occur.

In the case of alcohol, it can further and more quickly weaken the immunity that has already declined after surgery. If immunity drops, infection can occur easily, so it is important to refrain from it as much as possible.

Therefore, after double eyelid surgery, we recommend avoiding smoking and drinking for at least 2 weeks, and depending on the recovery progress, 4 weeks or longer. It is important to consult with your attending physician, receive advice suited to your condition, and follow it.

What other precautions are there?

1. Exercise

During the recovery period after double eyelid surgery, light stretching or walking can help blood circulation and may help reduce swelling. However, if you do high-intensity exercise that increases your heart rate, blood pressure rises and blood flow increases, which may cause bleeding and inflammation at the surgical site, so caution is needed.

2. Saunas and steam rooms

A hot and humid environment can raise blood pressure, which may cause bleeding and inflammation at the wound site, and the heat and humidity may cause infection in wounds that have not yet healed after double eyelid surgery. Therefore, we recommend avoiding them for at least 2 months.

3. UV protection

If the surgical area is exposed to ultraviolet light after double eyelid surgery, cell tissue overgrowth may occur and the scar may become darker. In addition, pigmentation caused by ultraviolet rays may occur, so especially during the summer when UV rays are strong, we recommend wearing sunglasses, and for daytime activities otherwise, we recommend wearing accessories that can block sunlight, such as hats.

Today, we looked into makeup after double eyelid surgery and the precautions to follow. What is just as important as the result of the surgery is how you manage the recovery period afterward. If proper care is not taken during recovery, it may affect the surgical result, and the recovery speed may also slow down. Therefore, during the recovery period, it is important to follow the attending physician’s instructions carefully and visit the hospital regularly to check your progress, and if this is done smoothly, it can lead to positive results.