How long does bruising last after eyelid surgery?

Most bruising resolves by 2 weeks. Residual yellowish tinting can persist to Week 3–4. With good concealer make-up most patients are socially presentable by Week 2.

When can I drive after blepharoplasty?

Usually 1–2 weeks: when your vision is fully normal, you are off sedating pain medication, and your surgeon has cleared you. Do not drive if there is any blurring or visual disturbance.

When can I wear make-up after eyelid surgery?

Once sutures are removed and wounds are fully closed, usually from Week 1–2. Avoid pulling or rubbing during application. Do not wear contact lenses until the eyes are comfortable, usually Week 3–4.

Will the scars be visible?

Blepharoplasty scars are placed within the natural eyelid crease and are very well hidden. Initially pink and slightly raised, they fade significantly over 6–12 months. Most are virtually invisible with eyes open.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Recovery: What you might notice

Sources

NHS AAOS NICE AHA healthdirect Cancer Council AU

Full sources ↗

Based on guidance from NHS, NICE, AAOS & healthdirect

Last reviewed: July 2026 · Free to use · No data collected

About ↗

Recovery essentials

Practical items that other patients have found helpful during recovery.

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Delicate wound dressings help protect the fine eyelid incision lines from irritation during the early healing weeks. Wound dressings →

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UV exposure can permanently darken eyelid surgery scars, a gentle SPF 50+ sunscreen around the eye area helps them fade evenly. SPF 50+ sunscreen →

Postopcare.info may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you. These are things patients have told us genuinely helped their recovery — nothing else.

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Where are you in recovery?

Tap a stage to expand its guidance. Your view and checklist progress are remembered on this device.

1 Before Surgery Preparing for Eyelid Surgery ▸

This is general pre-operative guidance only. Your surgeon's specific instructions always take priority.

2 Days 1–5 Most Swollen Phase ▸

Swelling and bruising peak at Days 2–3 and can look alarming, both eyes are typically affected even if only one side was operated on. Cold compresses are the most effective tool at this stage.

3 Days 6–14 Suture Removal ▸

Sutures are usually removed at Days 5–7. This is a significant milestone. Bruising is typically at its worst colour (purple/yellow) around now before beginning to fade more rapidly.

4 Weeks 2–6 Socially Presentable ▸

Most patients are comfortable being seen in public by Week 2, residual bruising covered with make-up. The eyelids still appear slightly puffy and the scars remain pink.

5 Month 2+ Final Result ▸

Eyelid surgery results are among the longest-lasting of any cosmetic procedure, typically 10–15 years. Final scar appearance takes 6–12 months. The full result is visible at 3 months.

Sources: NHS · NICE · AAOS · healthdirect

ⓘ Stages are general timelines: individual recovery varies. This does not replace medical advice. Your surgical team's instructions always come first: they know your situation best.

🚨 When to seek help

Sudden vision change or loss: seek emergency care immediately
Inability to close the eyelids fully (lagophthalmos) — contact your surgeon urgently
Signs of infection: increasing redness, pus, fever
Significant bleeding behind the eye (retrobulbar haematoma) (sudden severe pain, eye protrusion, vision loss) seek emergency care immediately. This is a rare but serious emergency

000 (AU) · 999 (UK) · 911 (US) · 112 (EU)
In a life-threatening situation, call your local emergency number immediately. Do not wait.

Your recovery toolkit

Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.

Daily dashboardMeds, vitals & wound photos in one view Discharge packTurn discharge notes into a day-one plan Last-dose tracker“When can I take the next one?” Vitals trackerTemperature, heart rate, BP & oxygen Wound photo journalSame angle every day — spot changes early Pain trackerSpot the trend, share it with your GP

These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Recovery: What you might notice

Based on guidance from NHS, NICE, AAOS & healthdirect

🧰 Your recovery toolkit

Your recovery toolkit