Plastic Surgeons Say These are the Best Eye Creams to Use After an Eye Lift
The experts know best.
By Brittany Burhop Fallon, Beauty Director ·
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Blepharoplasty, aka eyelid surgery or an eye lift, consistently ranks among the top five plastic surgery procedures each year. Eyelid rejuvenation used to be reserved for the over-50 set, but lately it’s become a more popular request by a younger demographic. The post-pandemic Zoom Boom prompted younger patients to consider plastic surgery after staring at themselves on camera all day, and the eye area isn’t so forgiving. A blepharoplasty is a relatively quick procedure that can correct everything from upper eyelid hooding to under-eye bags. Plus, the scars are hidden in the lash line or the crease of the eyelid, which leaves them virtually invisible once healed.
“The skin around the eyes is some of the thinnest on the body. Therefore, great skin care around the eyes is important, even after surgical blepharoplasty,” says New York facial plastic surgeon Dilip D. Madnani, MD. “We want to keep the fragile skin around the eyes as hydrated and youthful as possible. A comprehensive anti-aging eye cream is best. Look for one that targets a variety of aging concerns, such as dryness, crepiness, puffiness, lines, wrinkles, and dark circles.”
Like most other cosmetic procedures, at-home skin-care maintenance is critical for an optimal outcome. These are the best eye creams to use after an eye lift, as recommended by top plastic surgeons.
“I recommend the SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair for patients, especially after blepharoplasty because the growth factors and peptides help the skin heal and promote collagen production. It encourages firmer, toned skin, which is ideal for post-surgery maintenance. It is a wonderful product for hydrating the delicate eye area.” —New York plastic surgeon Mokhtar Asaadi, MD
“If patients had eyelid surgery, but not concomitant laser resurfacing in addition [this is a very popular pairing], I would recommend this AGE interrupter eye cream. It helps with hydration and overall signs of aging.” —Palo Alto, CA facial plastic surgeon Jill L. Hessler, MD
“While I think PRP—platelet-rich plasma—does wonders for the skin, especially when combined with eyelid surgery, I also like Luzern’s Force de Vie eye contour creme. It uses hyaluronic acid and peptides to help reduce puffiness, and gives firmness for a more lifted and radiant appearance.” —Beverly Hills, CA plastic surgeon Kimberly J. Lee, MD
“In the immediate post-procedure period, we recommend a medical-grade sunblock such as EltaMD. If a bruised or lasered area is exposed to sun, the patient can develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is why sunblock is so important.” —Woodbury, NY ocuplastic surgeon David Schlessinger, MD
“Most skin-care lines help to repair damaged skin cells, but DefenAge distinguishes itself by being one of the only medical-grade products that helps to also create new skin cells. This eye cream hydrates the skin and treats crepiness. After eyelid surgery, sometimes the quality of remaining skin can be further treated with the NuVissa Plasma Pen, a noninvasive in-office procedure with minimal downtime.” —New York facial plastic surgeon Lee Ann M. Klausner, MD
“A comprehensive anti-aging eye cream is best for the fragile skin around the eyes, especially after surgery when we want to maximize results. At our office, we recommend this peptide eye cream from Skinbetter Science. It’s also fragrance-free.” —Dr. Madnani
“Once the eyelid is healed, we continue to recommend medical-grade sunblock to avoid the aging effects of UV light. While no single eye cream can give surgical results, I recommend this one from Alastin. Alastin uses TriHex Technology to build collagen and elastin in the skin to maintain a youthful look.” —Dr. Schlessinger
“This is a great post-procedure eye cream because of its hyaluronic acid and caffeine content. This helps to firm and hydrate the skin for after-care use.” —Dr. Lee
“The most important product is sunscreen, especially in the initial period of healing and recovery. From our own Project GLAMMERS skin-care line, we love our DEFEND and DEFEND Melanin, which is designed for patients with melanin-rich skin types. It is also important to focus on the few active ingredients that will promote skin health and maintain a youthful appearance. That includes a gentle concentration of retinols designed specifically for under-eye applications, as the skin around the eyes is very sensitive and needs to be treated differently from the rest of the face. It also includes a combination of antioxidants and gentle glycolic acid.” —New York oculoplastic surgeon Irene Gladstein, MD
“If the patient had laser resurfacing after their eyelid surgery, such as a CO2 laser or erbium laser, then I recommend this Alastin Nectar. This miracle topical helps speed up recovery, take away redness and builds collagen and elastin.” —Dr. Hessler
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