It's not uncommon for fine, red lines or sunken marks to remain after double eyelid surgery or epicanthoplasty, performed to make the eyes look clearer, causing concern. The first question that usually comes to mind is: Can these eye surgery scars be reduced with laser, or do I need revision surgery?
To give you the conclusion first, the answer varies depending on the shape and nature of each individual scar. Even for the same cosmetic surgery scars like double eyelids or epicanthoplasty, laser may be more suitable for some, while revision surgery may be more appropriate for others.
Why do scars form after eye surgery?
Eyes are a part of the face that greatly influences a person's impression. As such, double eyelid surgery and epicanthoplasty have become common procedures. However, eye surgery is still surgery, and traces can remain depending on how the skin heals during the incision and suturing process.
The appearance of the remaining traces varies from person to person. They can appear as elongated lines, be red or raised, or conversely, appear as sunken depressions. Today, we will summarize which treatment is suitable for which type of eye surgery scar, focusing on epicanthoplasty scar surgery and double eyelid scar laser.
Initial management after scar healing is paramount
Before considering laser or revision surgery, wound care immediately after surgery can affect the shape of the scar. The basic principle is to keep the wound area moist with ointment to prevent it from drying out.
Many people apply commonly used silicone ointment to general wounds, but double eyelid scars or epicanthoplasty scars are close to the eyes, making ointment application tricky. In such cases, antibiotic ointments or petroleum jelly-based ointments that can be used around the eyes are more appropriate. Here are some points to remember for eye area care:
- Keep the wound area moist with ointment to prevent it from drying out.
- For areas close to the eyes, use antibiotic ointments or petroleum jelly ointments that are safe for eye use.
- Avoid frequently touching or rubbing the sutured area with your hands.
- If swelling or redness persists for a long time, consult with medical staff rather than making an arbitrary judgment.
When is the best time to start treatment?
Eye surgery scars, specifically epicanthoplasty scars or double eyelid scars, are known to be most effectively treated between 1 and 2 weeks after the scar has healed.
If you are considering scar prevention, it is advisable to start treatment 1-2 weeks after the removal of eye surgery stitches.
Even if this period is missed and the scar has hardened into a white scar, the results are reported to be similar when treated at the desired time. So, there is no need to rush if you've passed the initial period; you can proceed with treatment whenever you wish.
If you have any questions, you can easily ask them through chat consultation regarding eye surgery scar treatment timing.
Is laser or revision surgery better?
It is difficult to give a definitive answer as to whether epicanthoplasty scar surgery or double eyelid scar laser is better. This is because Surgical Scar Revision may be suitable for some, and laser for others, depending on the shape and nature of the scar.
In the consultation room, the criteria for judgment ultimately come down to whether the line itself is distorted or if the line is fine but only the scar texture remains. The table below makes it easier to understand:
| Scar Condition | Relatively Suitable Approach |
|---|---|
| Double eyelid line is very crooked or eyes are asymmetrical | Revision Surgery |
| Line is fine but sunken | Double Eyelid Scar Laser |
| Line is thick or raised | Double Eyelid Scar Laser |
| Prone to scarring | Prioritize Laser Treatment |
If the double eyelid line is completely crooked or appears asymmetrical, it is more appropriate to re-establish the line itself with surgery rather than laser.
Conversely, if the double eyelid scar is sunken, or the line is too thick and raised, laser is reported to be more effective than surgery in improving the scar. Also, if you are prone to scarring, it is safer to prioritize laser treatment, which can reduce the possibility of keloid scars, over surgery.
The approach varies by scar shape
Eye surgery scars vary in shape from person to person. Even with the same double eyelid surgery, there are cases where the trace stands out along the line like a parallel line; if that line is too dark, it can be slightly lightened with double eyelid scar laser.
For sunken double eyelid scars, a method of irradiating laser to help the sunken area rise slightly is sometimes used.
If there is a constitutional tendency for the area to thicken or turn red, it is helpful to combine laser treatment with Triamcinolone Scar Injection rather than just laser alone.
For thickened parts of double eyelid scars (fibrosis), only that area is improved with laser or injection, and if the scar color remains dark, whitening treatments like customized whitening solutions can be used to lighten the color.
What about recovery and daily life after treatment?
After double eyelid scar laser, the eye area recovers relatively quickly, so the impact on daily life activities like washing your face or showering after treatment is not significant. However, fine dead skin cells may appear for about 4-5 days, so during this period, it is sufficient to reduce irritation and focus on moisturizing.
Today, we looked at which treatment is suitable for which situation, and when it is possible, for common eye surgery scars, specifically epicanthoplasty scar surgery and double eyelid scar laser. If you are concerned about scars remaining after eye surgery performed to enhance your beauty, the first step is to find the right approach based on the shape of your scar and your constitution.
If you have any remaining questions, please use chat consultation for customized eye surgery scar treatment.
This is Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon, committed to your skin's happiness. Based on over 20 years of expertise, we work with each individual to find the right treatment direction. Thank you for reading.
Chief Director Lee Sang-Joo · Board-Certified Dermatologist As the Chief Director of Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon, an adjunct professor at the Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, and the president of the Korean Dermatological Association in 2026, he has extensive clinical experience in pigment and scar fields. View Chief Director Lee Sang-Joo's Profile First Published 2024-11-20 · Last Reviewed July 23, 2026
Since the pattern of scars and recovery speed vary from person to person, please consult with medical staff for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
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