What's the recovery like for Upper Blepharoplasty?
Everything you need to know about Upper Blepharoplasty recovery — timeline, tips, what to avoid, and when to call your provider.
Typical downtime: 7–14 days before returning to normal activities
Recovery timeline
Days 1–3
Bruising and swelling peak. Eyes may feel tight and look puffy. Cold compresses (not directly on skin) help. Keep head elevated.
Days 4–7
Bruising fades from purple to yellow. Swelling reduces noticeably. Sutures are typically removed at day 7. Most patients feel significantly better.
Days 7–14
Most bruising resolved. Presentable with concealer or sunglasses. Most patients return to light work. Incision lines are pink and visible.
Weeks 4–6
Swelling fully resolved. Final result is visible. Incision lines continue to fade over 6 to 12 months.
Recovery tips
- Keep your head elevated (extra pillow) for the first week to reduce swelling
- Apply cold compresses wrapped in a clean cloth — never ice directly on skin
- Arnica supplements or gel can help bruising resolve faster
- Avoid bending over, straining, or lifting for the first 2 weeks
- Use lubricating eye drops as directed — your eyes may feel dry post-procedure
- Sleep on your back if possible for the first week
What to avoid
- Eye makeup for at least 2 weeks (until sutures are removed and incisions are healed)
- Contact lenses for 2 weeks — glasses only
- Strenuous exercise or anything that raises blood pressure for 3 weeks
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, and blood thinners (unless prescribed) for 2 weeks post-op
- Direct sun exposure on incision lines for 6 months — use SPF 50+
- Reading, screens, or visually demanding tasks for the first 24–48 hours
When to call your provider
- Sudden increase in pain, pressure, or swelling in one eye — can indicate hematoma
- Vision changes, blurring, or double vision
- Inability to fully close your eyes after the first few days
- Signs of infection: increasing redness, warmth, discharge, or fever above 101°F
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Browse all Upper Blepharoplasty providers →Frequently asked questions
When can I wear makeup after upper blepharoplasty?
Wait until sutures are removed (around day 7) and the incision sites are fully closed — typically 10 to 14 days. Eye makeup is especially important to hold off on to prevent infection.
When will my upper blepharoplasty look normal?
Most people are presentable by day 7 to 10. Final results are visible at 4 to 6 weeks once all swelling resolves.