What Should You Avoid After Eyelid Surgery?

Droopy eyes can make you look tired and even older than you are. If you’ve been considering eyelid surgery to correct this issue, then you’re in luck! At Adoro Medical Spa, we offer this procedure to help people feel more confident about their appearance. Whether you’re in Annapolis or Severna Park, MD, we can help!

What Should You Avoid After Eyelid Surgery?

1. Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes

There are a few reasons why you should avoid rubbing your eyes after surgery. First, it can cause irritation and swelling. This is because the area around the eyes is very sensitive and delicate. Rubbing can also lead to infection. Second, rubbing can cause bruising. This is because the blood vessels in the area are more fragile and easily damaged.

Third, rubbing can cause the skin to heal more slowly. This is because the skin needs time to adjust and heal properly after surgery. Lastly, rubbing can cause scarring. This is because the skin around the eyes is very thin and delicate during the recovery period. Therefore, it’s crucial to be gentle with this area to avoid any complications.

2. Avoid Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol can have a number of negative effects on your body after surgery. First, it can cause dehydration, which can lead to increased swelling and bruising. It can also thin your blood, making you more likely to bleed or develop a hematoma.

Additionally, alcohol can interact with the medications you are taking, making them less effective and potentially increasing your risk of side effects. Finally, alcohol consumption can delay the healing process and increase your risk of developing an infection. If you do choose to drink, be sure to do so in moderation and stay well-hydrated.

3. Avoid Smoking Cigarettes

Smoking can interfere with the healing process by constricting blood vessels and reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the tissues. This can lengthen the healing time and increase the risk of complications. Second, smoking can cause inflammation and scarring, which can lead to a less than optimal result. Finally, smokers are more likely to experience dry eyes after surgery, which can be a nuisance and can lead to further complications.

4. Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure

Avoiding excessive sun exposure can be difficult, especially during the summer months, but it is essential in order to prevent damage to the delicate skin around your eyes. Wearing sunglasses is a great way to protect your eyes from the sun, but you should also try to stay out of direct sunlight whenever possible.

If you must be in the sun, make sure to wear a hat or scarf that covers your face. Excessive sun exposure can cause the skin around your eyes to become discolored, dry, and wrinkled. By taking a few simple precautions, you can help ensure that your blepharoplasty has a long-lasting and successful outcome.

5. Avoid Eye Makeup for the First Few Days

Wearing eye makeup can cause several complications, such as infection, inflammation, and irritation. Additionally, makeup can prevent the incisions from healing properly and can even cause scarring. To avoid these complications, it is best to avoid all eye makeup, including mascaras, eyeliners, eyeshadows, and false eyelashes. If you must wear makeup, which we highly oppose, be sure to use a gentle, oil-free cleanser to remove all traces of makeup afterward.

6. Avoid Contact Lenses for the First Week

Contact lenses can irritate the surgical site and cause the eye to dry out. In addition, contact lenses increase the risk of infection. Instead, you should wear glasses or sunglasses to protect your eyes from dust and debris. After a week has passed, you can slowly start to reintroduce contact lenses into your daily routine. However, it’s important to be extra careful when handling the lenses and to clean them as directed on a regular basis.

7. Avoid Getting Your Eyes Wet

Water can cause the incisions to open up and bleed. Second, it can lead to infection. Third, water can cause the skin to loosen and the stitches to come out. It can also irritate the eyes and cause them to swell.

All of these complications can prolong the healing process and lead to a less than satisfactory result. For these reasons, it’s crucial to take care when washing your face or showering after surgery. It is best to use a gentle cleanser and avoid getting soap or water in your eyes. If you must get your eyes wet, be sure to use sterile saline solution or distilled water.

8. Avoid Strenuous Activity or Exercise

Strenuous activities or exercise can cause several things after eyelid surgery, including increased swelling, bleeding, and bruising. These activities can also cause the skin to become pale and mottled, and also increase the risk of developing a hematoma or seroma.

A hematoma is a collection of blood that forms under the skin, while a seroma is a collection of clear fluid. Both of these can lead to additional swelling and bruising. If you must exercise, speak to us so that we can develop a custom exercise plan for you.

9. Don’t Drive for the First Few Days

During the surgery, the skin around your eyes is lifted and repositioned. This can cause temporary vision problems and make it difficult to judge distances. Additionally, you will likely be prescribed medication that can cause drowsiness and impair your ability to drive. For these reasons, it’s best to wait until you’re feeling fully alert and your vision has returned to normal before getting behind the wheel.

10. Don’t Take Aspirin or Ibuprofen

Aspirin and ibuprofen are blood thinners that can cause bleeding and bruising. If you take these medications after eyelid surgery, you may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising around the incisions. In addition, these medications may also increase the risk of developing a hematoma. If a hematoma develops, it can lengthen the recovery time and increase the risk of infection.

11. Don’t Use a Hair Dryer on Your Face

The heat from the hair dryer can cause the incisions to open up and delay the healing process. Additionally, the force of the air from the hair dryer can irritate the delicate tissue around the incisions and cause swelling. To avoid these complications, it’s best to let your hair air dry or use a cool, gentle setting on your hair dryer if absolutely necessary.

12. Don’t Go in a Tanning Bed

The heat from the tanning bed can cause the incisions to open and bleed. Additionally, the UV rays from the tanning bed can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of infection. Tanning can also lead to scarring and pigment changes in the skin. If you are looking for a way to get a sun-kissed glow, consider using a self-tanner instead. When applied correctly, self-tanner will give you the same results as a tanning bed without any of the risks.

Consultation

During the consultation, we will assess your medical history and current health condition to determine whether you are a good candidate for surgery. We will also examine your eyelids to assess the severity of the drooping and to identify any potential complications that could occur during surgery.

In addition, we will answer any questions that you have about the procedure and its benefits. Ultimately, a consultation is a crucial step in deciding whether or not to undergo surgery.

A Team You Can Trust

When you entrust us with your eyelid surgery, you can be confident that you are in the hands of a skilled and experienced team. We have been performing cosmetic procedures on patients from all around Maryland, including Annapolis and Severna Park, for many years. During that time, we have built up a reputation for providing high-quality care and achieving excellent results.

When you come to us for surgery, we will work closely with you to ensure that we understand your goals and expectations. We will then use our expertise to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs. We believe that this individualized approach is one of the reasons why our patients achieve such beautiful results. If you are looking for a team that you can trust to perform your surgery, look no further than us.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Immediately following surgery, it is important to avoid any activities that might increase swelling or put undue stress on the incisions. You should also avoid exposure to direct sunlight and other airborne irritants. To minimize the risk of infection, you should also avoid soaking the incisions in water or rubbing the incisions. If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery or would like to get eyelid surgery, contact us at Adoro Medical Spa in Severna Park, MD.