How to Clean the Eyelids after Eyelid Surgery

Sagging skin around the eyes can impair vision and make the face appear older than it really is. Eyelid surgery eliminates excess skin, fat, and muscle around the upper or lower lids to rejuvenate the eyes and enhance your appearance. While this procedure, also called blepharoplasty, is quite common, it is important to follow post-operative guidelines to ensure a fast and successful recovery.

At Dr. Suzanne Yee’s practice in Little Rock, AR, we explain how to clean the eyelids after eyelid surgery.

Cleaning Your Eyelids after Surgery

Following eyelid surgery, Dr. Yee will provide you with a detailed list of post-surgical instructions. Cleaning the eyelids is an essential aspect of post-op care. Here are some guidelines that can give you an idea of what to anticipate:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and antibacterial soap before cleaning your lids.
• Your eyes will likely be covered with cotton pads following the procedure. You should clean your eyelids as soon as that dressing is removed.
• Using saline solution and sterile gauze pads, gently clean the lids to remove superficial debris. To do this, soak the gauze thoroughly and place over the lids to soften them. (The saline solution can be purchased over the counter or made at home. If you choose to make it at home, ask our team for recommendations.)
• Gently dab the lids by moving the gauze horizontally, keeping the eyes closed.
• The eyelashes should be cleaned from the base to the tip.
• Repeat this process twice a day for a week.
• During the second week after surgery, clean the lids twice a day using these same guidelines.

Sutures will be used to close the incisions. In some cases, these stitches will absorb on their own. Other times, they will need to be removed at our office. If you are cleaning your eyelids and a suture breaks, contact our office in Little Rock for further instructions.

Other Tips for a Successful Recovery

In addition to keeping your eyelids clean, post-operative care helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and infection. Here are a few helpful recommendations to keep in mind during recovery:

• Place cold compresses over the eyes to reduce swelling and discomfort. The first night after surgery, do this for ten minutes every hour. For the next day or two, apply cold compresses on the eyes four to five times per day.
• Use all medications and ointments as prescribed.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for at least one week after your eyelid surgery.
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products of any kind. This can severely limit your body’s natural healing capability.
• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
• Do not wear contact lenses for at least two weeks after eyelid surgery.
• Wear dark sunglasses when outdoors to protect the delicate skin around your eyes.
• Elevate your head when sleeping for the first 48 to 72 hours.
• For one week, avoid ibuprofen, naproxen, or any other medications that could increase bleeding. Take acetaminophen instead, as it does not thin the blood.

Schedule a Plastic Surgery Consultation Today

If you are planning on having eyelid surgery, or recently had the procedure, these guidelines can reduce post-operative complications and put you on the road to healing. To learn more, contact our Little Rock practice by calling (501) 222-8758. You can also contact us online anytime.