Dr. Diana Ponsky · 6 Myths About Eyelid Surgery - Blepharoplasty Debunked!
Video5 min·Published Jun 2026

6 Myths About Eyelid Surgery - Blepharoplasty Debunked!

With Dr. Diana Ponsky

Chapter 1 of 6 · Patient & Family Education

Age misconception

Myth 1: Blepharoplasty is only for older people

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What the experts said20 expert statements
In the past, only older people had blepharoplasty done for functional reasons when the upper eyelid weighs down on lashes and impairs vision.
Clinical
Nowadays people pursue blepharoplasty cosmetically for tarsal show or a younger, less tired appearance.
Clinical
More people are undergoing blepharoplasty at a younger age.
Epidemiological
Upper eyelid surgery results are visible right away, though stitches and settling time are required.
Clinical
Lower eyelid surgery swelling lasts longer because lymphatic drainage in the under-eye area is slower.
Clinical
Well-done upper and lower eyelid surgery should not result in a significant or perceptible change in appearance; patients should just look less tired.
Opinion
If lower eyelid surgery is done too aggressively or incorrectly, the lower lids can get pulled down, resulting in perceptible changes in appearance.
Clinical
With proper recovery management, patients should not notice anything other than swelling as a sensation after eyelid surgery.
Clinical
On the first day after upper eyelid surgery, patients feel a sensation like a paper cut.
Clinical
Applying ointment to the upper eyelid incision makes the paper cut sensation go away.
Clinical
Icing the eyelid area reduces bruising.
Clinical
The acute phase of recovery is the initial six hours; managing it well makes future days much easier.
Clinical
Upper eyelid recovery time is one week (six days).
Clinical
Upper eyelid bruising in older individuals may last for two weeks and looks like purple eye shadow.
Clinical
Lower eyelid bruising lasts about ten days.
Clinical
Lower eyelid swelling in some individuals can last about six weeks, but should not be longer than that.
Clinical
Upper eyelid surgery scars are hidden in the natural crease and are very imperceptible when healed.
Clinical
Most people forget they had upper eyelid surgery done, and no one can find the scar because of how the skin heals there.
Clinical
If the lower eyelid scar is not placed well, it can sometimes pull down and be more visible.
Clinical
Trained observers can recognize lower eyelid incision sites, but untrained people typically cannot identify where the scars are, though they may tell that lower eyelid surgery was performed.
Clinical