Puckering After Blepharoplasty – Is It Normal?

Puckering is a condition in which eyelid skin heals with tiny folds, ripples, or tight spots instead of lying smooth. It’s harmless, though, but cosmetically concerning, as the puckering is easily visible on the eyes. So, is puckering after blepharoplasty normal?

Yes, puckering is normal after the surgery, and it’s usually caused by excessive swelling, temporary tightness, and sometimes the deep sutures causing skin bunching. It resolves on its own within a few months as tissues settle. 

If it’s caused by the sutures, removal is required. If it persists even after the healing period is over, you may need a surgical treatment such as Z-plasty. Let’s learn in detail about the puckering after eyelid surgery, when it occurs, and what treatment options are available for it.

What is Puckering After Blepharoplasty

What is Puckering After Blepharoplasty?

Do you notice tiny folds, ripples, tight spots, or slower eye movement? That’s called puckering, which is a condition in which your eye tries to settle down after the surgery, adjusts to the new shape, and also the scar tissue. Causes of puckering after eyelid surgery include excessive swelling, tightness, and suture bunching.

When the puckering is normal, it subsides on its own within a few months when the tissues heal properly. However, if this issue stays for a long time and doesn’t improve, you may need to talk to your surgeon about it.

Causes of Puckering After Eyelid Surgery

The causes of puckering after blepharoplasty include suture Issues, aggressive skin excision, healing process, thinning skin, deep Incision healing, and swelling.

Causes of Puckering After Eyelid Surgery

Suture Issues

Deep sutures can cause tension on the skin, causing puckering and mild discomfort in the eyelids.  You can fix this issue by getting the sutures removed or waiting for them to dissolve.

Aggressive Skin Excision

It’s a surgical error when the surgeon removes too much skin or tissue, leading to a shortage of skin and causing puckered eyes after blepharoplasty. 

Scarring and Tension

As your body heals, scar tissue forms that can create the skin folds, ripples or a web-like appearance. It keeps softening over time.

Thinning Skin

Thinning skin is more common in older patients after eyelid surgery. They lose elasticity, which can make the eyes appear puckered, crepey, or thinner.

Swelling

Excessive swelling in the first few days can bunch the skin, causing puckered eyes after blepharoplasty surgery. It usually resolves as the swelling goes down.

When Is Puckering A Concern After Blepharoplasty?

It’s normal to have mild puckering after the surgery, which can take some months to resolve. If it doesn’t resolve even after the recovery period, it could be a complication.

Furthermore, if the puckering is accompanied by pain, warmth, or a reddened area, it points to an infection of blepharoplasty. Immediately talk to your surgeon and let them know the symptoms you’re having. They’ll suggest the right treatment.

Treatment Options Available For Puckering After Blepharoplasty

If the puckering persists and you want to treat it, you can treat it with massage, surgical revision, or suture removal.

Treatment Options Available For Puckering After Blepharoplasty

Massage

A gentle massage is recommended by plastic surgeons after the surgery. They teach you how to do it step by step so that you don’t cause any harm to the surgical area. 

Gently massaging the skin helps underlying tissues settle evenly, reducing mild folds or ripples. You can start massaging after 1 to 2 weeks when the eyes are more stabilized.

Surgical Revision

If blepharoplasty puckering is persistent and causing bothersome issues, you can consider surgical revisions, such as Z-plasty. It’s a minor scar revision surgery that corrects skin folds, uneven tension, or light scars.

Suture Removal

Deep sutures may cause puckering by bunching the skin. If the sutures are removable, get them removed to relax and smooth out the puckering from the eyelids.

Asli Tarcan Clinic Trusted Cosmetic Care

Asli Tarcan Clinic: Trusted Cosmetic Care

Puckering after blepharoplasty is when your eyelid skin heals with tiny folds, ripples, or bumps instead of smooth skin. It’s normal to have it after the surgery due to tightness and swelling. 

However, if the puckering stays for a longer time along with infection signs such as a reddened area, pain, or warmth, it’s concerning. Let your surgeon know about these symptoms. They’ll help you control and treat the issue before it worsens.

You can treat puckering after eyelid surgery with massage, surgical revision, or suture removal. If you want safe, advanced blepharoplasty or brow lift surgery in the Turkey from double board-certified plastic surgeons, contact Asli Tarcan Clinic.

Assoc.-Prof.-Dr.-MEHMET

This article is medically reviewed by Ophthalmologist Dr. Mehmet

See Our Doctors & Surgeons

Frequently asked questions

How to get rid of puckering after blepharoplasty?

You can get rid of the puckering by gently massaging, taking a surgical revision, or getting the suture removed if deep sutures caused it.

How to massage puckering after under-eye blepharoplasty?

Wait for healing, wash hands, apply gentle pressure, massage in small circles, follow the surgeon’s instructions, and stop if it is painful.

Is Puckering Normal?

It’s normal after eyelid surgery when it subsides within a few months. If it stays for a longer time, it’s concerning.

Similar Posts