You can generally shower from the neck down right after blepharoplasty, but avoid getting water, soap, or shampoo directly on your eyelids for about 5-7 days or until your surgeon says it's okay; gently pat the area dry, don't rub, and use dry shampoo for your hair initially, as avoiding direct water on incisions protects them from infection and irritation. Always follow your surgeon's specific post-op instructions for best results.
Keep the wound dry for the first week, and away from dirty environments. You can shower or bathe but avoid wetting around the eyes for the first week. If your surgeon has recommended applying an ice pack to the wound, apply this at 20-minute intervals (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for the first two days.
Showering and applying makeup
You can take showers from the neck down any time after your surgery. Don't take full showers until your surgeon tells you it's safe to do so. This is usually 5 days after surgery. You may gently wash below your eyes with wipes or a soft washcloth.
Once the first 24 hours have passed, you can generally resume showering, but with some important precautions: Keep your eyes closed while washing your face and hair. Avoid direct water contact with your operated eye. Do not rub your eyes, even if they feel itchy or irritated.
Showering: You may wash your hair and face the next day after your eyelid surgery. Do not cleanse eye area and avoid submerging your face in water. Hot Tubs/Baths/Swimming Pools: No tub baths or Jacuzzi until your incisions have healed, and approved by your surgeon, which is usually around 2 weeks.
You can start washing the outside of your nose after seven to ten days once the splint covering the surgery area has been removed. At two weeks post-op, all dressings are removed, and you may wash your face as usual. It is imperative to keep the splint dry at all times.
Shower and bathe as usual
You'll be able to shower and take a bath as usual after cataract surgery. Just remember to avoid any water or irritants, such as shampoo or soap, getting into your eye. We advise wiping your face with water rather than splashing water onto your face for the first 2 weeks.
If water accidentally gets in your eye, stay calm and gently pat it dry with a clean, soft towel. Avoid rubbing your eye, as this can cause irritation or disrupt the healing process. Monitor your eye for any signs of infection, such as increased redness, pain, swelling, or discharge.
It is never a good idea to drive yourself home from surgery, as anesthesia can slow reflexes, slow your thought processes, and can even cause amnesia in the hours following surgery. In fact, you should refrain from driving for the first 24 to 48 hours after receiving anesthesia.
Apply saline-soaked iced gauze first to eyelid and then cover with frozen packs of peas/ ice packs for the first 48 hours post-op. You may shower daily, beginning the day after surgery. Avoid makeup on the incision sites until 24 hours after the sutures are removed.
Recovery time varies depending on whether you've had upper or lower blepharoplasty. Upper eyelid surgery generally involves a shorter recovery period, with most swelling and bruising subsiding within 1–2 weeks. Lower eyelid surgery may require more time for healing, with swelling lasting up to 3 weeks.
Avoiding post‐operative bathing or showering for two to three days may result in the accumulation of sweat and dirt on the body, but early washing of the wound may have a bad effect on healing by irritating the wound and disturbing the healing environment.
Easing Your Way Through Blepharoplasty Recovery
Elevating your head while sleeping helps decrease swelling after eye lift surgery by improving fluid drainage. Avoiding strenuous activities and protecting your eyes from strain during the first few weeks aids in faster recovery.
For upper blepharoplasty, also known as an upper-eyelid lift, Dr. Lewen makes the incisions along the natural creases of the eyelid. Once you have fully healed, any post-surgical marks will be concealed in the folds of the eyelid and will not be noticeable.
1-6 Days Post-Op
Bruising and swelling is a common consequence of any kind of surgery, and eyelid surgery is not exempted. The bruising will typically set in on Day 2 and be at its worst for the next couple of days. It's usually not very painful but the area under your eyes may look like you're a prizefighter.
You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Before you shower, cover the bandage with a plastic bag or use another method of keeping it dry. If the incision is on the front of your body, you can take a shower with your back to the shower head.
On the Day of Surgery
You may brush your teeth or use mouthwash, but be careful not to swallow any toothpaste or mouthwash. Do not eat anything. Unless instructed otherwise, you may drink water up to four hours before your scheduled time of surgery.
The most effective and comfortable way to wash your hair without getting in the shower is by using shampoo caps—and more specifically, FreshWipes No-Rinse Shampoo Caps.
You can shower or wash your hair the day after surgery. Keep water, soap, shampoo, hair spray, and shaving lotion out of your eye, especially for the first week.
It's okay to cry after your LASIK surgery. Whatever the reason you may want to cry, natural tears won't harm your eyes or delay the healing process. Crying may actually keep your eyes lubricated and that helps the healing process. In fact, many patients cry immediately upon sitting up after LASIK.
Eyelid rejuvenation surgery, or blepharoplasty, improves the appearance of the eyes by removing excess skin and fat. While it generally provides positive results, some patients may experience temporary side effects during recovery. One of the most common side effects is watery eyes.
Your surgery should not come at the expense of your hygiene, however you should avoid exposing your eye to direct water contact for at least a week. You can resume washing your face the day after your surgery while being careful to not touch your eye.
Activity Restrictions After Surgery
Here's how to do it safely: