They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but in the aesthetics industry, we find they are a window to something much more telling, your age. The skin above and around your eye is especially vulnerable to signs of aging. Over the years, this tissue can lose important collagen and begin to sag, causing patients to look much older than they are. For these patients, blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a go-to plastic surgery procedure that helps refresh a person’s appearance.
When you look in the mirror and suddenly look younger, usually after years of struggling with an aged appearance, delight is sure to follow. Many women eagerly anticipate the day that they can wear makeup again. However, using makeup too soon after surgery can compromise your long-awaited results.
To help our patients enjoy the full results of their procedure and gradually ease themselves back into wearing makeup safely, our plastic surgeon has compiled some tips for our post-eyelid surgery patients. For additional questions about this procedure, call our office today and schedule your consultation with Dr. Gerth.
Give it Time
Your surgical incisions are especially delicate during the first few weeks following your blepharoplasty. In addition to being sensitive, the incisions are vulnerable to infection. As a result, we recommend patients hold off on wearing any eye makeup or concealer until after their incisions are completely healed and have closed. For patients concerned about visible swelling or bruising, we recommend using ice packs to help reduce discoloration and ease any discomfort.
Start with Fresh, New Products
If you haven’t already, start paying closer attention to the products you’re using. As your incisions heal, the tissue is vulnerable to infection, which can compromise the results of your procedure. Even after your incisions have healed, the skin is delicate and sensitive, meaning that it’s still important to take all necessary precautions to prevent infection. As bacteria can easily hide within eye makeup, we strongly recommend tossing out all previously used makeup used before your surgery and replacing it with fresh products that are only opened after you’ve healed.
The type of makeup you use also matters after blepharoplasty. While glittery eyeshadows and feathery, volumizing mascaras can add extra oomph to your appearance, they can also flake easily and land in your still-recovering eyes. In addition to being rather painful, this can irritate your incisions, potentially leading to infection and a slowed recovery. Play it safe by avoiding these types of products during the recovery process and until after you’ve been given the all-clear from our facial plastic surgery.
What products should you use? Look for non-comedogenic makeup designed for sensitive skin.
Be Gentle When Applying
Use a gentle touch when applying your cosmetics after eyelid surgery. Two key times to watch out are when applying concealer and when removing makeup products. While it can be tempting to “scrub” the day’s makeup from the eyes or use more aggressive cleansers and removers this can do more harm than good for those still recovering from eyelid surgery. Instead, avoid alcohol-based makeup removers and stick with more gentle alternatives micellar water. When it comes to concealers, always use clean brushes and avoid using your fingers to blend any makeup.
Schedule Your Visit with Dr. Gerth
Eyelid surgery makes applying cosmetics more fun. To learn more about this procedure, call our facial surgery specialist today and make an appointment with Dr. Gerth today!