When can I wash my face normally after eyelid surgery?
Showering below the neck is usually fine from the next day, but the incision stays dry until sutures come out — full face washing follows a day or two later.
Face washing follows the tightest timetable of all, because water and cleanser head straight for the incision. The standard sequence: body showers from the day after surgery, careful cheek-and-chin cleansing with a wrung-out towel in the first week, and normal face washing a day or two after sutures are removed, usually around day five to seven.
Dry first, gentle after
Keeping the wound dry early on prevents softened, macerated skin edges and keeps bacteria-laden water out of the healing line. Once washing resumes, the technique matters as much as the date: lukewarm water, a low-irritant cleanser, patting rather than rubbing around the lids, and a clean towel each time. Strong jets from the showerhead aimed at the face can wait another week or two.
Suture-removal timing varies with the procedure and the individual, so the calendar above bends to what the surgeon actually did. If water does hit the incision early, patting it dry and applying the prescribed ointment usually suffices — but spreading redness, warmth, or discharge afterward calls for a prompt consultation rather than watchful waiting.
MediIndex articles are for general information only and are not medical advice, diagnosis, or advertising. Outcomes vary by individual — consult a board-certified specialist for personal decisions.