From swelling, bruising, and suture removal after lower blepharoplasty to when you can return to work, exercise, and wear makeup,
I've laid it all out by surgical technique.
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■ The Bottom Line
Recovery time after lower blepharoplasty varies with the surgical technique.
With the incisional (transcutaneous) approach, you can return to daily life roughly 1–2 weeks after suture removal,
while the transconjunctival approach leaves no external suture line and generally recovers faster.
About 70–80% of the swelling subsides within the first month,
and the final result usually settles between 3 and 6 months after surgery.
Recovery speed can vary depending on your constitution, skin condition, and the extent of surgery.
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■ Lower Blepharoplasty: Recovery Differs by Technique
Lower blepharoplasty falls into two main categories based on the surgical approach.
Which one is suitable depends on the condition of the under-eye area,
and the recovery course also differs between the two.
① Transcutaneous approach (incisional lower blepharoplasty)
This technique makes a subciliary incision just below the lash line to address both excess skin and fat.
Because there is an external incision, suture removal (around day 5–7) is required,
and early swelling and bruising tend to be more pronounced than with the transconjunctival approach.
② Transconjunctival approach (conjunctival incision technique)
This approach goes through the conjunctiva on the inside of the eyelid, so no suture line is left on the skin surface.
With no skin incision, there is little concern about visible scarring,
and swelling generally resolves faster than with the transcutaneous approach.
However, it may not be suitable when there is significant skin laxity.
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■ Lower Blepharoplasty Recovery: Stage-by-Stage Timeline
[ Stage 1: Day of Surgery to Day 3 ]
This is when swelling and bruising are at their peak.
The area around the eyes may look purple or reddish,
and it may be difficult to fully close or open your eyes.
How things look at this stage has no bearing on the final result, so there is no need to be alarmed.
Cold compresses (within the first 48 hours after surgery) can help reduce swelling.
[ Stage 2: Day 3 to Day 7 ]
Swelling gradually begins to subside during this period.
Bruising is still present but fades as it turns yellowish.
For the transcutaneous approach, sutures are removed during this window (day 5–7).
It is still advisable to avoid wearing contact lenses.
[ Stage 3: Week 1 to Week 2 ]
In most cases, you can return to light daily activities from this point.
Bruising has faded considerably and can be concealed with sunglasses or glasses.
Makeup can be resumed once cleared by your medical team,
usually after at least one week, once the suture sites are confirmed to have fully closed.
[ Stage 4: Week 2 to 1 Month ]
Swelling around the eyes decreases noticeably during this period.
The under-eye tissues gradually settle into place,
and light exercise (low-intensity aerobic activity such as walking) is often possible from this stage.
In most cases, the bruising has disappeared completely.
[ Stage 5: 1 Month to 3 Months ]
About 70–80% of the swelling has resolved, and at normal conversational distance it becomes hard to tell that surgery was done.
With the transcutaneous approach, the scar gradually blends toward the surrounding skin tone.
Strenuous exercise, alcohol, and saunas are typically resumed gradually from this stage.
[ Stage 6: 3 Months to 6 Months ]
The under-eye tissues fully stabilize during this period.
Residual swelling has almost entirely resolved, and the final result can be assessed.
The scar (transcutaneous approach) often becomes difficult to distinguish from the surrounding skin at this stage.
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■ When Can You Do What? A Summary of Return-to-Activity Timing
* The timings above are general guidelines and may vary depending on individual recovery speed and your medical team's judgment.
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■ Aftercare That Can Support Recovery
How quickly you recover after surgery can depend on how you care for yourself.
[ Early Phase (First 48 Hours After Surgery) ]
- Keep your head elevated: Sleeping on two or more pillows so that your head is above heart level
can help reduce swelling.
- Avoid overusing your eyes: Prolonged smartphone use or TV watching increases eye strain.
[ Mid-Recovery (Week 1 to 1 Month) ]
- Sun protection: Apply sunscreen when going outdoors to prevent hyperpigmentation of the scar.
- Take prescribed medication: Take the prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatories exactly as directed, without skipping doses.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking: Both affect circulation and can delay healing.
- Watch your salt intake: The saltier your diet, the longer swelling tends to persist.
[ Transcutaneous Approach Only: Scar Care ]
- Use silicone gel or sheets after suture removal as directed by your surgeon
- Minimize direct sun exposure (to prevent hyperpigmentation)
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■ Contact the Clinic Right Away If You Notice These Symptoms
The following symptoms may signal something other than normal recovery.
- Extreme swelling in one eye only, or pain that suddenly worsens
- Blurred vision or double vision
- Inability to fully close the eye persisting for more than a week
- Fever, or pus draining from the incision site
- The lower lid turning outward excessively, or worsening ectropion (a sensation of the lid being pulled downward)
The earlier these issues are addressed, the better the outcome.
If anything seems off, it is important to contact the clinic where you had surgery right away.
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■ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. When does the swelling go down after lower blepharoplasty?
A. About 50% of the swelling subsides within 2 weeks,
and 70–80% has often resolved by around the 1-month mark.
Full stabilization occurs between 3 and 6 months.
How fast swelling resolves varies with individual constitution and the extent of surgery.
Q2. How long does the bruising last?
A. Bruising is usually darkest around day 2–3 after surgery,
then turns yellowish and gradually fades over 1–2 weeks.
In most cases it is gone within 2–3 weeks,
though in some people it lingers longer depending on their constitution.
Q3. When are the sutures removed?
A. With the transcutaneous approach, sutures are removed 5–7 days after surgery.
The transconjunctival approach leaves no external suture line on the skin, so no suture removal is needed.
Q4. When can I exercise after lower blepharoplasty?
A. Low-intensity aerobic activity such as walking is often possible after 2–4 weeks.
Strenuous exercise such as gym workouts, swimming, and ball sports is typically resumed gradually after the 1-month mark.
Because the rise in blood pressure and blood flow during exercise increases the risk of swelling and bleeding,
it is safest to resume only after clearance from your surgeon.
Q5. Does recovery take longer if I have upper and lower blepharoplasty at the same time?
A. With combined surgery, the early swelling and bruising may cover a wider area.
However, because the recovery timelines of both procedures run concurrently,
it does not necessarily take twice as long.
It is important to discuss whether to combine the procedures, and the recovery plan, thoroughly during your pre-operative consultation.
Q6. Is it normal for my eyes not to close properly after lower blepharoplasty?
A. Immediately after surgery, you may temporarily be unable to close your eyes completely (lagophthalmos).
In most cases this resolves on its own within a few days to a week.
However, if it lasts longer than a week or you experience severe dry eye,
it is important to notify the clinic where you had surgery immediately.
Q7. When can I wear contact lenses after lower blepharoplasty?
A. Contact lenses can often be worn after 2 weeks for the transcutaneous approach, and after 1–2 weeks for the transconjunctival approach.
Since the transconjunctival approach goes through the inside of the eyelid,
it is recommended to wait until the conjunctiva has healed sufficiently before wearing lenses.
Always check with your surgeon before resuming contact lens wear.
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* This article is intended for general informational purposes only,
and the recovery course may vary depending on individual condition and surgical technique.
Please confirm your specific recovery plan through a consultation with your attending specialist.
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The photographs in this post were taken under identical conditions with the patient's prior consent.
In addition, side effects such as bleeding, infection, and inflammation may occur after plastic surgery or procedures depending on the individual, so caution is required.