Care After Facelift, Eyelid Surgery or Eyebrow Surgery
After facelift, eyelid surgery or eyebrow surgery, follow your surgeon’s instructions closely. These general guidelines can help you know what to expect, how to care for your incisions and when to get medical help.
Contact your healthcare team if you have questions or if your recovery does not seem to be going as expected.
After IV Sedation or General Anesthesia
If you had intravenous, or IV, sedation or general anesthesia, you may have memory lapses, slower reaction time and impaired judgment for the rest of the day.
Arrange for a responsible adult to take you to and from your appointment and drive you home.
For the rest of the day after sedation or anesthesia:
- Rest.
- Do not drive or operate motorized vehicles or equipment.
- Do not return to work or school.
- Do not care for children or others who depend on you.
- Do not use exercise equipment or take part in rough play or sports.
- Do not drink alcohol.
Activity After Surgery
Walking is encouraged after surgery. Gentle walking can help support recovery.
If you take prescription pain medicine, ask your surgeon when it is safe to drive.
For the first week after surgery
Sleep on your back with your upper body raised.
For up to two weeks after surgery
Do not:
- Lower your chin to your chest.
- Bend at the waist.
- Strain your face.
- Wear contact lenses if you had eyelid or eyebrow surgery.
To pick something up from the floor, keep your back straight and bend your knees.
For three to five weeks after surgery
Follow your surgeon’s guidance about when to return to more strenuous activities.
During this time, do not:
- Take part in sports or activities that raise your blood pressure or pulse, such as aerobics, jogging or biking.
- Lift anything heavier than 10 pounds.
- Wear clothing that must be pulled over your head.
Bathing After Surgery
You may shower 24 hours after surgery.
If you have a drain in place, do not wash your hair until 24 hours after the drain is removed.
When washing your hair, do not tip your head forward.
Do not use a bathtub, pool or hot tub for four weeks after surgery.
Incision Care
ome redness near the incisions is expected. You also may notice clear or red-tinged, thin drainage. Redness and drainage should gradually improve.
To care for your incisions:
- Keep the incision area clean and dry.
- When you shower, let soapy water run gently over the incisions.
- Pat the incisions dry.
- Do not rub or scrub the incision area.
Unless your care team tells you otherwise, do not put these products on your incisions:
- Lotion.
- Cream.
- Ointment.
- Gel.
- Salve.
- Oil.
- Hibiclens soap.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
If you have SteriStrips, leave them in place. They may fall off on their own. If not, they may be removed at a follow-up appointment.
Your healthcare team may give you additional instructions for incision care.
Diet After Surgery
Drink plenty of fluids each day.
For one week after a facelift, eat soft foods. Otherwise, return to your usual diet as you feel able.
If you have nausea, try clear liquids such as:
- Ginger ale.
- Chicken broth.
- Apple juice.
Pain, Swelling, Bruising, and Numbness
Some pain or discomfort is common after surgery. Swelling, bruising and numbness also are common and may last for a few weeks.
To help reduce pain and swelling, use cool compresses on the treated area as often as you can for the first three days after surgery. After that, use compresses for comfort as needed.
Do not put ice or heat directly on your face.
Medicines After Surgery
Talk with your health care team about what you can take for pain.
If your surgeon prescribes pain medicine, take it exactly as directed.
If you do not have a prescription pain medicine, you may take a non-aspirin pain reliever such as acetaminophen. Follow the directions on the package. Do not take more than 3,000 milligrams of acetaminophen in 24 hours.
Your surgeon may tell you not to take aspirin or products that contain aspirin for a specific amount of time after surgery. Some common pain relievers can affect blood thinning, including:
- Aspirin.
- Products that contain aspirin.
- Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin.
- Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn.
If you take blood-thinning medicine
Blood-thinning medicines affect clotting and bleeding. If your blood-thinning medicine was stopped before surgery, the health care provider who manages that medicine and your surgeon should decide when you can restart it.
If you take herbal supplements
Some herbal supplements also can affect blood thinning. Ask your surgeon when you may restart herbal supplements after surgery.
Constipation or nausea from pain medicine
Pain medicine may cause constipation, nausea or both. To help prevent these side effects:
- Take pain medicine with food.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat high-fiber foods.
- Use a stool softener if needed to avoid straining.
Skin, Make-up and Hair Care After Surgery
Do not wear makeup until your incisions are fully healed. This usually takes about one to two weeks.
Do not color, bleach or perm your hair for five weeks after surgery.
Protect your skin from the sun, especially during the first year after surgery. Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when you are outside, and reapply it often, especially on your face.
Protect your eyes and face from the sun by wearing:
- Sunglasses.
- A scarf.
- A visor.
- A broad-brimmed hat.
Follow-up Appointment
A follow-up appointment usually is scheduled about five to 14 days after surgery.
If you have stitches, they may be removed at this appointment. Contact your care team if you have questions about your follow-up visit.
When to Call Your Surgeon
Call your surgeon as instructed if you have signs of infection, including:
- A temperature of 100.4 F, or 38 C, or higher.
- Chills with a fever.
- New or increased pain near the surgical area.
- Increased redness, warmth or tenderness near the surgical area.
- Increased swelling or swelling that does not improve.
- Increased drainage or a change in the drainage.
- A foul smell from the incision.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Seek emergency care right away if you have:
- Changes in vision.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- An unusual heart rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I shower after facelift, eyelid or eyebrow surgery?
You may shower 24 hours after surgery. If you have a drain, do not wash your hair until 24 hours after the drain is removed.
When can I wear makeup after surgery?
Do not wear makeup until your incisions have fully healed. This usually takes about one to two weeks.
When can I wear contact lenses after eyelid or eyebrow surgery?
Do not wear contact lenses for up to two weeks after eyelid or eyebrow surgery, unless your surgeon gives you different instructions.
When can I exercise after facial surgery?
Avoid sports and activities that raise your blood pressure or pulse for three to five weeks, or as long as your surgeon recommends.
How should I sleep after a facelift, eyelid surgery or eyebrow surgery?
For one week after surgery, sleep on your back with your upper body raised.
What symptoms need emergency care after facial surgery?
Seek emergency care for changes in vision, shortness of breath, chest pain or an unusual heart rate.
*This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for medical advice. For medical questions and advice, it is always best to consult with your trained physician.