Any blepharoplasty involving an external skin incision will leave a scar. With upper eyelid surgery, the incision is usually placed within the natural eyelid crease. With lower blepharoplasty, an incision may be positioned just beneath the eyelashes or, for suitable patients, inside the lower eyelid. Blepharoplasty scars can initially appear pink or red and may feel slightly firm while healing. Over the following months, they should gradually soften, flatten and become less noticeable.
For many people considering eyelid surgery, one of the biggest concerns is not the procedure itself but what the eyelids will look like afterwards.
Will there be a scar?
Will other people be able to see it?
How long will it remain red?
And will it eventually become difficult to notice?
The important starting point is that blepharoplasty is not scarless surgery. Any incision through the skin produces scar tissue.
What an experienced Oculoplastic surgeon can do is carefully position the incision around the natural anatomy of the eye so that the eventual scar sits in as discreet a location as possible.
If you are still deciding whether eyelid surgery may be appropriate for your concerns, Sapphire’s Is Blepharoplasty Right for Me? guide is a useful place to start.
Does blepharoplasty leave scars?
Yes.
Any blepharoplasty procedure requiring an incision through the skin will leave a scar.
However, the final appearance of that scar depends on several factors, including:
- Where the incision is positioned
- Your individual eyelid anatomy
- Surgical technique
- Your natural healing response
- Skin characteristics
- How the wound heals
- Aftercare
- Previous surgery
Eyelid skin is relatively thin, and incisions can often be positioned within natural folds and contours.
This helps the scar blend more naturally into the surrounding eyelid as healing progresses.
It is important, though, not to expect an immediately invisible scar.
During the early stages of recovery, an incision may be pink or red, slightly raised or firmer than the surrounding skin.
The appearance then changes progressively over time.
Where is the scar after upper blepharoplasty?
With upper blepharoplasty, the incision is usually positioned within the natural crease of the upper eyelid.
This allows the surgeon to address excess skin and other tissues while placing the incision within a line that already exists naturally around the eye.
When the eyes are open, the eyelid crease helps make the incision less conspicuous.
When the eyes are closed, the healing line may initially be easier to see.
During the first part of recovery, the scar may:
- Appear pink or red
- Feel slightly firm
- Look more noticeable than the surrounding skin
- Extend slightly towards the outer eyelid depending on the surgery required
As healing progresses, the scar should gradually become softer, flatter and paler.
Exact incision placement depends on your individual eyelid anatomy and how much tissue needs to be treated.
For a step-by-step explanation of how the upper eyelid incision is created, read Sapphire’s What Happens During Blepharoplasty? guide.
Where is the scar after lower blepharoplasty?
Lower blepharoplasty can be performed using different surgical approaches.
The most appropriate technique depends on whether the main issue is:
- Prominent fat
- Excess skin
- Lower eyelid laxity
- Eyelid contour
- A combination of these factors
External lower eyelid incision
When an external approach is required, the incision may be positioned just beneath the lower eyelashes.
Placing the incision close to the lash line helps keep it within a naturally discreet area.
The surgeon may then address excess skin and underlying tissue according to the patient’s individual anatomy.
As with upper blepharoplasty, the incision is more noticeable during early healing and should become less conspicuous as the scar matures.
Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty
For selected patients, the incision can instead be placed inside the lower eyelid.
This is known as a transconjunctival approach.
Because the incision is internal, there is no external skin scar from that part of the procedure.
However, this technique is not appropriate for everybody.
A patient with prominent lower eyelid fat but very little excess skin may require a different approach from somebody who also has significant skin laxity.
The surgical technique should therefore be chosen according to the anatomy and the problem being treated, rather than simply selecting whichever method avoids an external scar.
What do blepharoplasty scars look like during healing?
Blepharoplasty scars change considerably as they mature.
Immediately after surgery, the incision line will be visible.
Bruising and swelling around the eyelids can also make the area appear more dramatic than the scar itself.
During early healing, a scar may be:
- Pink or red
- Slightly raised
- Firm
- More noticeable when the eyes are closed
- Surrounded by temporary swelling or bruising
These features do not necessarily indicate that the eventual scar will remain prominent.
Scar tissue undergoes a gradual maturation process.
Over time, the incision should become:
- Less red
- Softer
- Flatter
- Less conspicuous
- Better blended with the surrounding eyelid
This is why the appearance after the first few weeks should not be treated as the final result.
How long do blepharoplasty scars take to fade?
There is no single point at which every blepharoplasty scar suddenly becomes difficult to see.
Scar healing happens gradually.
The first few weeks
The incision may remain clearly visible.
It can appear pink or red, and bruising or swelling can make the eyelid area look more noticeable.
The scar may also feel slightly firmer than the surrounding skin.
At this stage, it is much too early to judge the final result.
The first few months
As the tissues settle, redness and firmness should progressively reduce.
The scar often starts becoming flatter and softer, with the surrounding eyelid appearing increasingly natural.
Longer-term healing
Scar maturation can continue for several months.
During this period, the line may continue to fade and become more discreet.
A mature upper blepharoplasty scar may ultimately sit very naturally within the eyelid crease.
However, no responsible surgeon should promise that a surgical scar will completely disappear.
What can affect blepharoplasty scar healing?
Different people heal at different rates.
Several factors can influence how a scar develops.
Individual healing response
Some people naturally form more noticeable scars than others.
Your history of scar formation elsewhere on the body may therefore be useful to discuss during consultation.
Skin characteristics
Skin thickness, pigmentation and other individual characteristics can affect how a healing incision looks.
Smoking
Smoking can interfere with normal wound healing because it affects blood supply to the tissues.
If you smoke, tell your surgeon before treatment.
Sun exposure
Healing scars can be particularly sensitive to ultraviolet exposure.
Your surgical team can advise you on how to protect the eyelid area while it heals.
Infection or excessive inflammation
Problems with wound healing can potentially affect the final appearance of a scar.
Increasing redness, pain or discharge should therefore be reviewed rather than simply assumed to be normal.
Tension on the wound
Stretching or repeatedly pulling at a healing incision can affect scar formation.
Previous eyelid surgery
Existing scar tissue or changes to eyelid anatomy can make subsequent surgery more complex.
Aftercare
Following your postoperative instructions gives the eyelids the best environment in which to heal.
How can you help blepharoplasty scars heal well?
You cannot completely control how your body forms scar tissue, but good aftercare can support normal healing.
Your surgical team will provide personalised instructions.
These may include advice to:
- Avoid rubbing or pulling the eyelids
- Keep the surgical area clean as instructed
- Use prescribed medication correctly
- Protect the healing area from excessive sunlight
- Avoid smoking
- Attend postoperative reviews
- Contact the clinical team if anything unexpected occurs
Avoid applying scar creams, silicone products or other preparations around the eyelids unless your surgeon has specifically advised that they are suitable.
Products commonly used on scars elsewhere on the body are not automatically appropriate close to the eye.
Are upper blepharoplasty scars more visible than lower blepharoplasty scars?
Not necessarily.
Scar visibility depends more on:
- The surgical technique
- Incision placement
- Individual anatomy
- How the tissues heal
- Whether an external skin incision is required
than simply whether the upper or lower eyelid is being treated.
Upper eyelid incisions can usually be positioned within the natural crease.
External lower eyelid incisions may sit close to the eyelashes.
Selected patients may undergo transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty, where the incision is made inside the eyelid.
The priority should be choosing the approach that safely and effectively addresses the patient’s concern while preserving normal eyelid position and function.
Can blepharoplasty scars remain noticeable?
They can.
Although eyelid scars commonly become increasingly discreet as they mature, outcomes are individual.
A scar may remain more visible because of factors such as:
- Individual scar tendency
- Delayed healing
- Infection
- Significant inflammation
- Sun exposure
- Wound tension
- Previous eyelid surgery
It is important not to judge the final appearance too early.
A scar that is red or obvious several weeks after surgery may continue to change considerably over the following months.
If you are concerned about how an incision is healing, your treating surgeon should examine it.
Can blepharoplasty scars be revised?
Most blepharoplasty scars do not require revision.
If a scar remains unusually prominent after sufficient time has been allowed for healing and maturation, an oculoplastic specialist can assess why this has happened and whether anything further should be considered.
The timing matters.
A relatively visible scar during early recovery may continue improving for months.
Revision should therefore not be considered simply because the incision has not yet reached its mature appearance.
For patients concerned about a previous eyelid operation, Sapphire also provides information on revision eyelid surgery.
Why surgeon experience matters around the eyelids
Blepharoplasty is not simply about removing a strip of excess skin.
The eyelids perform important functions every time we blink.
They help:
- Protect the eye
- Spread the tear film
- Maintain normal eyelid closure
- Protect the surface of the eye
- Preserve normal eyelid position
The surgeon therefore has to consider appearance and function together.
Careful planning affects not only where the scar sits but also how much skin is removed, the position of the eyelid and the natural shape around the eye.
This is why specialist eyelid experience matters.
At Sapphire Eye Care, our consultant ophthalmic surgeons including Dan Morris, Andre Litwin, Heather Baldwin and Bhavna Sharma specialise in oculoplastic and eyelid surgery, including upper and lower blepharoplasty.
When should you speak to your surgeon about a blepharoplasty scar?
Some redness, swelling and visible healing are expected during recovery.
However, contact your clinical team if you notice an unexpected change such as:
- Increasing rather than improving redness
- Significant or increasing pain
- Discharge
- The wound beginning to open
- Worsening swelling
- Bleeding that concerns you
- A sudden change in vision
Your clinical team can determine whether what you are seeing is part of normal healing or whether the eyelid needs to be reviewed.
Considering blepharoplasty?
If concerns about scarring are making you hesitant about treatment, a consultation can help you understand where an incision would be positioned for your individual eyelid anatomy.
The approach depends on whether you are considering:
- Upper blepharoplasty
- Lower blepharoplasty
- Combined upper and lower eyelid surgery
- Treatment for excess skin
- Treatment for prominent fat
- Functional eyelid concerns
You can learn more about Sapphire’s consultant-led eyelid surgery service here:
Watch the whole blepharoplasty procedure below
Make an Enquiry – Contact us today for unbiased advice.
Frequently asked questions about blepharoplasty scars
Are blepharoplasty scars permanent?
All surgical incisions create permanent scar tissue.
However, the visible appearance of the scar can change considerably as it matures.
Blepharoplasty scars commonly become flatter, softer and less noticeable with time.
How long does it take for blepharoplasty scars to fade?
Noticeable improvement often occurs gradually over several months.
The incision may initially look pink or red before progressively becoming paler and softer.
Everyone heals differently, so there is no single point at which every patient reaches their final scar appearance.
Can you see upper blepharoplasty scars when the eyes are open?
Upper blepharoplasty incisions are usually placed within the natural eyelid crease.
This helps make them less conspicuous when the eyes are open.
The incision may remain more noticeable during early healing, particularly towards the outer part of the eyelid.
Does lower blepharoplasty leave a visible scar?
It depends on the surgical approach.
An external lower blepharoplasty may use an incision just beneath the eyelashes.
In suitable patients, a transconjunctival approach places the incision inside the lower eyelid, meaning there is no external skin incision from that part of the procedure.
Why is my blepharoplasty scar still red?
Redness can be part of normal scar maturation, particularly during the earlier stages of healing.
If the redness is increasing, painful, associated with discharge or otherwise concerns you, contact your clinical team.
Can blepharoplasty scars be hidden with makeup?
Once your surgeon confirms the incision has healed sufficiently, makeup may help make residual redness less noticeable.
Do not apply eye makeup directly onto a healing surgical incision until your clinical team confirms that it is safe.
Does a blepharoplasty scar completely disappear?
No surgical scar can be guaranteed to disappear completely.
The aim is for the incision to be placed discreetly and for the scar to become progressively less conspicuous as it matures.
Can sunlight affect blepharoplasty scars?
Excessive ultraviolet exposure can affect the appearance of healing scars.
Your surgical team can advise you about suitable protection during recovery.
What if I already have a noticeable scar from previous eyelid surgery?
An experienced oculoplastic surgeon can assess the scar, eyelid position and surrounding tissues.
Depending on how long ago the original operation took place, the best approach may simply be allowing further time for scar maturation or considering whether further treatment is appropriate.
Is blepharoplasty right for me if I am worried about scarring?
Concern about scars is extremely common and does not automatically mean surgery is unsuitable.
A consultation gives your surgeon the opportunity to explain the likely incision position and how your own anatomy may influence healing.
Thinking about blepharoplasty?
The eventual appearance of a blepharoplasty scar depends on the operation performed, where the incision is placed and how your tissues heal.
A consultation with an experienced consultant ophthalmic surgeon can help you understand:
- Where your incision is likely to sit
- Which surgical approach may be appropriate
- What the early healing period may look like
- How the scar is expected to change over time
- How to care for your eyelids after treatment
Medically reviewed by Dan Morris
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon.
Medically Reviewed, October 2026
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