It is generally possible to gently clean your eyes about five to seven days after blepharoplasty surgery, as soon as the incisions begin to heal. You need to keep your eyelids dry for the first 48 hours. Your doctor will tell you this.
Many people feel unsure about eye care in the first week after eyelid surgery. The good news is that the rules are simple once you know them. This guide walks you through the full washing timeline. It also shows you how to clean the eyelids safely and lists the warning signs that need a call to your clinic.
Key Takeaways
- Keep water away from your eyelids for the first 48 hours after surgery
- Gentle cleaning can usually start around day five to seven
- Dab softly with a clean, damp pad and never rub the eyelids
- Most people return to a normal face-washing routine by week two
- Always follow your surgeon’s personal aftercare plan first
When Can You Wash Your Eyes After Blepharoplasty?
Most surgeons ask you to wait three to seven days before water touches your eyelids. The exact day depends on how your skin heals and the type of eyelid surgery you had.
Here is the overall outline of the procedure:
- Days 1 to 2: Maintain complete dryness of your eyelids
- Days 3 to 7: Start cleaning gently only if permitted by your surgeon
- Week 2 and beyond: Get back to normal gentle washing procedure
It is common for stitches to be removed after five to seven days following your surgery, as explained in guidance issued by the NHS to patients undergoing eyelid surgery. Most clinics schedule the first thorough wash around this time frame.
Blepharoplasty Aftercare: Why the Eyelids Must Stay Dry
The main rule for good blepharoplasty aftercare is to protect incisions until they heal. Fresh wounds require a clean and dry environment to heal.
Water causes problems in the early days because it can:
- Carry bacteria into the healing incisions
- Wash away the ointment your surgeon prescribed
- Soften the wound edges before they seal
- Tempt you to touch or rub the eyelids
Dry healing lowers the risk of infection and helps the scar settle neatly into the eyelid crease. A few days of patience now supports a smoother recovery later.
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Blepharoplasty Recovery Time: A Simple Timeline
Blepharoplasty recovery time varies from person to person. Most people return to normal activities within 7 to 14 days, while swelling and bruising fade over the following weeks. The washing rules change as each stage passes.
Days 1 to 2: Keep Everything Dry
Maintain an elevated position of your head and use cold compresses to reduce the swelling. Keep water away from your eyelids during this process. It is okay for you to cleanse your face right away following eyelid surgery, but do not use any water to clean your lower eyelid area.
Days 3 to 7: Start Gentle Cleaning
When your doctor permits you to do so, you can start applying a wet pad to your eyelids. Use cooled boiled water or saline. Do not scrub, soak or touch incisions. After that, apply ointment prescribed by your doctor.
Showering After Blepharoplasty
You can have a shower from the neck down immediately. Most doctors recommend that patients take a full shower on the fifth day because the stitches will be sealed. While you shower after blepharoplasty surgery, make sure the water is warm, not hot, and let it flow from the back of your head, not your face.
How to Clean Eyelids After Blepharoplasty
Knowing how to clean eyelids after blepharoplasty helps protect the incisions and keep healing on track. Follow these steps once your surgeon approves washing:
- Wash your hands well with soap and water.
- Dip a clean gauze or cotton pad in cooled boiled water or sterile saline.
- Close the eye and dab gently along the lash line, from the inner corner outwards.
- Use a fresh pad for each eye.
- Tap the skin dry with a towel but do not rub.
- Apply any ointment your surgeon prescribed, using clean hands.
Clean the area once or twice a day unless your clinic tells you otherwise. Stop and call your clinic if cleaning causes sharp pain or fresh bleeding.
Learn More: Is Blepharoplasty Safe
Signs You Should Call Your Surgeon
Inflammation, discolouration, and tension in the skin are normal healing responses. However, some symptoms need urgent attention from your physician’s office:
- The spread of warmth and redness
- Yellow or green drainage at the site of the cuts
- Cuts opening up or gaping
- Bleeding that does not stop even when applying gentle pressure
- Pain that becomes more severe rather than subsides
- High fever or general malaise
- Vision changes
Quick advice at the right time keeps small problems small. Your clinic would always rather hear from you early.
What to Avoid While Your Eyelids Heal
A few simple practices will help protect your healing skin:
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- Do not rub or touch your eyelids.
- Do not use eye makeup for two weeks.
- Wear glasses and avoid contact lenses for two weeks.
- Do not exercise for one to two weeks.
- Stay away from the sun and wear sunglasses outside.
- Do not smoke, as it hinders healing.
Conclusion
After about 5 to 7 days post-blepharoplasty surgery, your doctor will advise you to gently wash your eyes when they determine that your surgical cuts have begun closing properly. In the first 2 days, avoid getting your eyelids wet and use a gentle wiping method instead of rubbing them. You should be able to resume your usual cleaning regimen by week 2.
If you are planning eyelid surgery or want expert support with your recovery, the specialists at Dr Tanov Eye & Aesthetics provide upper blepharoplasty in London with personal aftercare at every step.
FAQs
When can I wear makeup after blepharoplasty?
Most surgeons recommend waiting about two weeks after the removal of stitches and closure of incisions. Make sure you use new cosmetic products, as old cosmetics contain bacteria.
When can I wear contact lenses after eyelid surgery?
Leave contact lenses out for about two weeks. Wear glasses in the meantime and slowly build lens time back up.
How often should I clean my eyes after eyelid surgery?
Once or twice a day is enough for most people. Follow your own clinic’s plan if it says otherwise.
When can I swim again after eyelid surgery?
It normally takes two to four weeks before people start swimming after their procedure. Swimming pools and hot tubs can harbour bacteria, so wait until your doctor says your incisions are completely healed.
What happens if water touches my incisions too early?
Don’t panic. Simply dab the area with a clean towel and monitor for any infection in the coming days. Contact your clinic if you see any redness,r increased pain, or discharge.
Can I rub my eyes if they feel itchy?
No. Itching is a normal part of healing, but rubbing can open the incisions. A cool compress near the eyelids, rather than on them, usually calms the itch.
