The eye area is the region where the signs of ageing emerge earliest and most prominently. Sagging on the upper eyelid or bagging on the lower eyelid can make a person look much more tired and older than they are. Blepharoplasty (eyelid aesthetics), the permanent solution to these problems, is today one of the most frequently preferred surgical procedures. However, patients' biggest reservation about this surgery is the question "Will a prominent scar remain above or below my eye?" Op. Dr. Ayşe Öznur Akidil, in the eyelid operations she performs at her clinic in İzmir, aims to achieve near-"scarless" results by hiding the suture line in the anatomical folds.
011. Where Are the Incision Sites in Blepharoplasty Surgery?
The eyelid skin is the thinnest skin of the body with the highest recovery capacity. This feature is the biggest advantage that strengthens the surgeon's hand in hiding scars.
• Upper Eyelid: The incision is placed exactly in the fold line of the eyelid (the natural crease). Since this scar stays in the fold when your eye is open, it is not noticed when viewed from the outside.
• Lower Eyelid: If only the fat bags are to be removed, the incision can be made from inside the eyelid (transconjunctival) and no scar remains on the outside. If there is also excess skin, the incision is hidden just below the lash line. When recovery is complete, this line looks like a normal skin crease.
022. How Does the Recovery Process of the Scars Proceed?
Right after surgery the suture line is in the form of a reddish line. However, this colour change fades gradually:
• The First 1 Month: The scars are at their most prominent; a pink or reddish colour dominates. During this period they can be easily covered with make-up.
• 3rd Month: The redness decreases, the colour of the scar begins to turn from pink to skin colour.
• 6th Month and 1st Year: The scars usually take the form of a silvery-white or skin-coloured line. Op. Dr. Ayşe Öznur Akidil states that in the vast majority of her patients, after the 6th month the scar reaches a level that can only be noticed on very close inspection.
033. Recovery Differences by Skin Type
Every individual's wound-healing response is different, and skin type plays a determining role in this process:
• Thin and Fair Skin: This is usually the group that heals best. The scars fade quickly and become indistinct. However, these skin types are more vulnerable to sun damage.
• Dark Skin: In dark-skinned people the risk of "pigmentation" (the scar area darkening) is a little higher during wound healing. Patients in this group need to pay extra attention to the use of sunscreen.
• Thick and Oily Skin: The recovery process can be a little slower compared to thin skin, and the subsiding of the oedema (swelling) can take longer.
• Keloid/Hypertrophic Scar History: If the patient has a tendency to raised scars on their body, it is of vital importance that the surgeon knows this beforehand and plans the suture techniques accordingly.
044. Things to Pay Attention To So the Scars Are Invisible
The post-operative care determines the quality of the scars as much as the success of the operation. Op. Dr. Ayşe Öznur Akidil gives her patients the following warnings:
• Sun Protection: For the first 6 months, the suture line must not be brought into contact with the sun. UV rays can cause the healing scar to darken permanently. The use of high-factor sunscreen and sunglasses is essential.
• Smoking: Smoking delays wound healing by disrupting tissue oxygenation and can lead to the scar remaining more prominent.
• Scar-Reducing Creams: The silicone-based gels recommended by your doctor help the scar heal flatter and smoother.
• Avoid Scratching: Itching during the recovery process is normal, but pulling the area or peeling the crusts can deepen the scar.
055. Aesthetics and Eyelid Surgery in İzmir
When aesthetic operations are mentioned in İzmir, natural and "not-obviously-operated" results are at the forefront. Blepharoplasty not only rejuvenates the gaze but also provides a functional relief by eliminating the sagging skin that restricts the field of vision. Due to İzmir's sunny climate, it is critical that patients who undergo this operation strictly follow the post-operative sun-protection protocols in particular, so that no scar remains.
066. Why Op. Dr. Ayşe Öznur Akidil?
Eyelid surgery requires millimetric calculations. Removing more skin than necessary can cause the eye not to close fully, while removing too little can cause the result to fall short. Op. Dr. Ayşe Öznur Akidil, by combining a surgeon's anatomical knowledge with an aesthetic vision, has specialised in placing the sutures at the most invisible points. At her clinic in İzmir Bayraklı, the most comfortable recovery process is aimed for by applying techniques special to each patient's skin type and wound-healing capacity.
077. Frequently Asked Questions
When are the sutures removed after eyelid surgery? The sutures are usually removed 5-7 days after surgery. After the sutures are removed, the recovery process speeds up.
Does a scar remain in eyelid surgery done with laser? In procedures done with laser or plasma energy (non-surgical methods) there is no surgical suture, but these methods can be ineffective in very advanced sagging. Surgical blepharoplasty, when done correctly, gives the most permanent and cleanest result.
When do the bruises on the eyelid pass? Bruising and swelling usually pass completely within 10 days. From the 2nd week patients can comfortably return to their social lives.
08Get Rid of a Tired Gaze Without Scars
Blepharoplasty, when done with the correct technique and an experienced surgeon, is a change that will not affect your social life with scars but, on the contrary, take you 10-15 years back. With care methods suited to your skin type and your doctor's recommendations, it is possible to achieve that fresh, vigorous and bright gaze you dream of.
Op. Dr. Ayşe Öznur Akidil is ready to bring a new breath to your gaze with eyelid aesthetics in İzmir and to create a recovery plan special to you. To erase the tired expression in the mirror and feel more energetic, you can make a professional examination appointment.