Resume exercise and see your final results starting to emerge. Most swelling has resolved, and your scars are healing beautifully.
What to Expect at 6 Weeks
By week 6, you're well into the final stages of recovery. Around 85-90% of swelling has resolved, and your eyes look natural, refreshed, and rejuvenated. The incision lines have faded significantly and are often barely visible, especially when nestled in the natural eyelid creases. You'll feel confident in your appearance and ready to resume all normal activities.
Freedom to Move
Week 6 is a liberating milestone - you can now return to exercise, swimming, and all physical activities. Just ease back in gradually and listen to your body.
Resuming Exercise
At week 4-6, most patients are cleared to resume all forms of exercise, including:
Wear appropriate eye protection - goggles for swimming, sunglasses for outdoor activities
Avoid direct trauma to the face - be cautious with activities that risk impact to the eye area
Pro Tip: Monitor Morning Swelling
When you first resume intense exercise, you may notice slightly more puffiness the next morning. This is normal as increased blood flow can temporarily increase swelling. It should resolve within a few hours. If it persists or worsens, reduce your exercise intensity.
Healing Progress
Swelling
85-90% resolved - most visible swelling is gone
Residual deep swelling - a small amount of deeper tissue swelling remains and will continue to resolve over the next 3-6 months
Morning puffiness - may still occur occasionally, especially after a salty meal or poor sleep, but resolves quickly
Scarring
Incision lines fading - scars are typically pink or light red at 6 weeks and will continue to fade to white over the coming year
Hidden in natural creases - upper lid scars sit in the natural eyelid fold and are often virtually invisible
Lower lid scars - just below the lash line and extremely discreet
Makeup covers any residual redness - easily concealed if needed
Sensation
Sensitivity improving - any numbness or altered sensation is gradually resolving
Normal blinking and eye movement - your eyelids move naturally and comfortably
Occasional tightness - you may still feel slight tightness when making extreme facial expressions; this continues to improve
Scar Care and Optimization
Continue to optimize your scar healing:
Sun protection is crucial - UV exposure can permanently darken scars. Use SPF 50+ daily and wear sunglasses
Silicone gel or sheets - if recommended by your surgeon, continue using these for 2-3 months total
Gentle massage - once fully healed (ask your surgeon), gentle scar massage can help soften the tissue
Avoid harsh skincare - retinols, acids, and exfoliants should still be used cautiously around the incisions
Patience - scars continue to mature and fade for up to 12-18 months
Skincare and Eye Care Routine
At 6 weeks, you can resume most of your regular skincare routine:
Gentle cleansing - morning and evening
Moisturizer with SPF - daily sun protection
Eye creams - resume your regular eye creams, avoiding direct application on incision lines initially
Retinols and acids - can be reintroduced cautiously, but avoid the immediate incision area for a few more weeks
Lubricating drops - use as needed; some patients find they need them less frequently now
Final Results Timeline
While you look great now, subtle refinements continue:
Week 6 - 85-90% of final result visible
Month 3 - 95% of final result visible, residual deep swelling resolving
Month 6-12 - Final result fully visible, scars nearly invisible, all swelling resolved
Enjoy Your Results
At 6 weeks, you're enjoying the vast majority of your final results. Your eyes look brighter, more open, and rejuvenated. Many patients report feeling more confident and receiving compliments about looking "well-rested" or "refreshed." The transformation is complete enough to enjoy fully, while subtle improvements will continue over the coming months.
Long-Term Maintenance
To maintain your beautiful results:
Sun protection - always wear SPF and sunglasses to protect the delicate eye area
Healthy lifestyle - adequate sleep, hydration, and a balanced diet support skin health
Gentle skincare - avoid harsh rubbing or pulling on the eyelid skin
Avoid smoking - accelerates aging and damages skin
Consider preventative treatments - subtle Botox or skincare treatments can help maintain your results (discuss with your surgeon)
Follow-Up Care
You may have a 6-week or 3-month follow-up appointment scheduled. This is an opportunity to:
Show your surgeon your progress
Discuss any remaining concerns or questions
Get personalized advice on scar care and long-term maintenance