Complete Guide to Post-Operative Care for Double Eyelid Surgery

Hello, I’m Dr. Hyunwook Jung from Sketch Plastic Surgery Clinic.

In this article, I will explain in detail the precautions and care methods after double eyelid surgery.

Post-operative care accounts for 50% of your surgical results. With proper care, you can recover faster and achieve more beautiful results.

This is the same information we provide during consultations, but since it can be difficult to remember everything once you’re home, we’ve compiled this guide for your reference anytime.

Managing Swelling and Bruising

Some degree of swelling and bruising after surgery is a normal phenomenon. Don’t worry!

The first 3 days are the most important. With proper care during this period, swelling and bruising will disappear much faster.

1. Cold Compress

Use a cold compress that is cool but not excessively cold.

Proper Cold Compress Method

Use a cool damp towel or cold compress pack
Gently apply it around the surgical area
Repeat 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day
Wrap the cold pack in a towel before use

Things to Avoid

❌ Don’t apply ice directly to the eyelids: Risk of skin damage
❌ Don’t apply for too long: Avoid more than 20 minutes
❌ Don’t press on the eyelids: The double eyelid line may be compressed

Why is cold compress important?

Constricts blood vessels to reduce swelling and bruising
Helps relieve pain
Speeds up recovery

2. Avoid Straining Your Face

Swelling worsens when blood rushes to your face.

Activities to Avoid

❌ Gesticulating, handstands and other exercises that cause blood to rush to your face
❌ Shouting loudly: Puts strain on facial muscles
❌ Bending over to wash hair: Blood rushes to the eye area
❌ Lifting heavy objects: Straining causes blood to rush to your face

Recommendations

✅ Light walking: Helps blood circulation
✅ Maintain a comfortable posture: Stay relaxed
✅ Get plenty of rest: Don’t overexert yourself

3. Avoid Lying Flat

Light movement is better than lying down all day.

Proper Positioning

Keep your upper body elevated: Use an adjustable bed if possible
Use 2-3 pillows: Support your shoulders and head
Sleeping in a seated position is also fine: A comfortable position is important

Why Keep Your Upper Body Elevated?

Reduces swelling: Gravity helps drain swelling downward
Improves blood circulation: Blood circulation improves when your head is higher than your heart
Better sleep: Easier breathing leads to better sleep

Key point: Maintain a comfortable position for your body.

Face Washing and Showering

There’s no need to avoid washing your face, showering, or washing your hair for 5 days after surgery!

Face Washing Method

What You Can Do

✅ Wash your hair: Yes (just avoid the surgical area)
✅ Shower: Yes (be careful not to splash water on your face)
✅ Wash your body: No problem

Precautions

Keep the surgical area from direct contact with water
Be careful not to get soap or shampoo in your eyes
Shower slowly to avoid splashing

Post-Washing Care

After washing, be sure to follow this order:

Dry around the eyes first with a clean towel
- Completely remove moisture from the surgical area
- Don’t rub; gently pat dry
Apply antibiotic ointment
- Apply thinly with clean hands
- Apply 2-3 times a day

Why is this important?

Wet surgical areas increase infection risk
Antibiotic ointment prevents infection and aids recovery

Makeup and Contact Lenses

Makeup

From Surgery Day Until 2 Days After Suture Removal

❌ No lotion or makeup on the surgical area
✅ Use only antibiotic ointment

Why can’t you wear makeup?

The wound hasn’t fully healed yet
Increased infection risk
Chemical ingredients may interfere with wound healing

Starting 2 Days After Suture Removal

✅ Light eye makeup is possible
✅ Face washing is allowed

Precautions

❌ Don’t rub hard for 1 month
❌ Don’t remove eyeshadow or mascara by rubbing hard
✅ Wipe gently

Makeup Tips:

Start with light makeup at first
Don’t pull or rub your eyelids hard
Use gentle makeup removers

Contact Lenses

When to Start Wearing

Can be worn 1-2 weeks after surgery
Wear them when your eyes feel comfortable

Precautions

If your eyes feel dry or irritated, wait another week
Start with short wearing times
Remove immediately if uncomfortable

Why is this important?

Eyes may become dry after surgery
Contact lenses may interfere with wound healing
It’s better to wait until your eyes are fully recovered

Medications and Health Supplements

Health Supplements

✅ Starting the day after surgery, you can resume your regular health supplements
✅ Vitamins, omega-3, red ginseng, etc. are all fine

Why were they stopped before surgery?

They were stopped before surgery to reduce bleeding risk
After surgery, they help with recovery, so you can take them again

Alcohol and Smoking

❌ No alcohol or smoking for 2 weeks

Why 2 weeks?

Alcohol: Dilates blood vessels, increasing swelling and bruising; slows recovery
Smoking: Constricts blood vessels, slowing wound healing; increases infection risk

After 2 weeks?

Light drinking is possible, but avoid excessive alcohol
It’s better to avoid smoking for longer if possible

Exercise and Procedures

Things to Avoid (1 Month)

Procedures

❌ Eyelash extensions: Wait until the eyelid shape stabilizes
❌ Semi-permanent makeup: Wait until the wound is fully healed

Why 1 month?

The eyelid shape needs time to stabilize
Early procedures may result in shapes different from what you want

Intense Exercise

❌ Gym, martial arts, swimming, golf and other intense exercises

Reasons to Avoid:

Blood rushes to the face, increasing swelling
Sweat entering the wound poses infection risk
Impact may open the wound

Recommendations

✅ Light walking: Allowed anytime
✅ Stretching: Light stretching is fine
✅ Daily activities: Allowed as long as you don’t overexert

After 1 month?

Gradually increase exercise intensity
Start with light exercises first
Stop immediately if uncomfortable

Eye Opening Practice (Upper Eyelid Surgery Only)

For clear and deep double eyelids, proper eye-opening technique from day one is important.

1. Proper Eye Opening Method

What to Do

✅ Open your eyes using only the eye muscles
✅ Look slightly upward while opening your eyes
✅ Tilting your head slightly down while watching TV helps

Why is this important?

The eyelid muscles will properly attach to the double eyelid line
Natural double eyelids will form
Prevents the eyelids from drooping

What to Avoid

❌ Don’t raise your eyebrows or forehead: May cause forehead wrinkles
❌ Don’t read or look at your smartphone with your head down: Eyelids may droop

Practice Method:

Practice opening just your eyes without moving your eyebrows while looking in a mirror
Practice several times a day for short periods
Do it naturally without straining

2. Cold Compress Pack Usage

Proper Method

✅ Apply cold pack around the eyes
✅ Be careful not to press on the eyelids

What to Avoid

❌ Don’t press directly on the eyelids: The double eyelid line may become flattened

Tips:

Apply the cold pack below or beside the eyes
Only lightly touch above the eyelids

Additional Care

Wound Care

Normal Phenomena

✅ Light bleeding or discharge: Normal
✅ Mild pain: Normal
✅ Itching: A normal phenomenon when wounds are healing

Care Method

Gently wipe with clean gauze or tissue
- Don’t rub; gently pat
- Wipe 2-3 times a day
Apply antibiotic ointment
- Apply thinly with clean hands
- Don’t apply too thickly
Remove scabs carefully
- Leaving scabs may cause scarring
- Don’t forcefully remove; remove gently
- Visit the hospital if difficult to remove

Hospital Visits

Disinfection: You can visit the hospital for disinfection
If busy: Home disinfection is possible (follow hospital instructions)

When should you contact the hospital?

If bleeding continues or is severe
If pain is severe or suddenly worsens
If there is fever or severe swelling
If pus comes from the wound
If you have any other concerning symptoms

Keep the hospital contact information handy!

Post-Operative Care Summary Table

Item	Care Method
Swelling and Bruising	Cold compress (3 days), avoid lying flat, light movement recommended, elevate upper body
Face Washing and Showering	Avoid direct contact with surgical area, dry with clean towel first, apply antibiotic ointment
Makeup	No makeup until 2 days after suture removal, then light makeup allowed, no hard rubbing for 1 month
Contact Lenses	Can wear 1-2 weeks after surgery, wait another week if uncomfortable
Health Supplements	Can take starting the day after surgery
Alcohol and Smoking	Prohibited for 2 weeks
Eyelash Extensions and Semi-permanent Makeup	Prohibited for 1 month
Intense Exercise	Gym, martial arts, swimming, golf prohibited for 1 month; light walking allowed anytime
Eye Opening Practice	Use only eye muscles, don’t raise eyebrows, don’t press eyelids with cold pack
Wound Care	Light bleeding/discharge is normal, clean and apply antibiotic ointment, remove scabs carefully

Recovery Timeline Guide

1 Week After Surgery

This is the most important period!

Swelling and bruising are most severe during this time
Keep up with cold compresses
Plenty of rest is needed
Sleep with upper body elevated

2 Weeks After Surgery

Swelling subsides significantly
Suture removal takes place
Light daily activities are possible
Contact lens wearing can begin

1 Month After Surgery

Eye shape is mostly stabilized
Light makeup is possible
Still avoid intense exercise
Still avoid eyelash extensions

3-6 Months After Surgery

Final results appear
All activities are possible
Eyelash extensions are possible
Natural double eyelids are complete

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is it normal for swelling to be this severe?

Days 2-3 after surgery are when swelling is most severe. This is normal, so don’t worry. With consistent cold compresses and keeping your upper body elevated, it will subside quickly.

Q2. Is it okay that swelling is different on each eye?

The degree of swelling may differ between both eyes. This is normal and will become similar over time. Contact the hospital if the difference is too severe or if you’re worried.

Q3. What should I do if the wound is itchy?

Itching is a normal phenomenon when wounds are healing. Don’t scratch! Gently patting or cold compressing helps.

Q4. When can I resume normal life?

Daily activities: Possible from 2-3 days after surgery
Return to work: Possible after suture removal (about 1 week)
Intense exercise: Possible after 1 month
Makeup: Possible 2 days after suture removal

Q5. Is it okay that my double eyelids look asymmetrical?

Right after surgery, they may appear asymmetrical due to swelling. Check the final results after 3-6 months. If asymmetry is still severe after 6 months, please consult the hospital.

Conclusion

It’s easier than you thought, right?

If you’ve forgotten the information provided during consultation, this guide will help with smooth recovery.

With proper care:

✅ You’ll recover faster
✅ You can achieve more beautiful results
✅ Complication risks are reduced
✅ Satisfaction increases

If you have any questions or concerning symptoms, please contact the hospital anytime.

This was Dr. Hyunwook Jung from Sketch Plastic Surgery Clinic.