Tear Trough Correction Recovery Timeline

Status: Early healing begins

What You’ll Experience

• Swelling around the eyes and temples (this is normal and expected)
• Mild to moderate bruising around the incision sites
• Tenderness at the incision locations
• Mild discomfort managed with prescribed pain medication
• Numbness or tingling sensation in the forehead/temple area
• Grogginess from anesthesia (for the first 24 hours)

What You Can Do

• Rest: Keep your head elevated (use 2–3 pillows)
• Ice therapy: Apply ice packs to the surgical areas for 15–20 minutes, several times daily for the first 48 hours
• Light walking: Short, slow walks around your home are fine
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water; avoid alcohol
• Minimal activity: Stay home and avoid any strenuous movement
• Gentle care: Avoid touching or pulling on the incision area

What to Avoid

• ✗ Strenuous activity or exercise
• ✗ Bending over or lifting anything heavier than 5 lbs
• ✗ Hot showers or baths (lukewarm only)
• ✗ Sleeping flat on your back (use extra pillows)
• ✗ Air travel
• ✗ Applying makeup to the incision areas
• ✗ Driving (while on pain medication)

Medications

• Take prescribed pain medication as directed
• Use antibiotic ointment on incisions as instructed
• Continue any prescribed antibiotics

Status: Swelling peaks; healing progresses

What You’ll Experience

• Swelling is at its peak (this is normal and resolves over the coming weeks)
• Bruising becomes more visible (can spread down toward the cheeks)
• Incision sites feel less tender
• Numbness remains in the forehead and temple
• Eyes may feel tight or slightly uncomfortable
• Mild drainage from incision sites is normal

What You Can Do

• Light activity: Gentle walking, light household tasks
• Light movement: Slow stretching, very gentle facial exercises (if approved)
• Continuing ice: Ice for the next few days, then switch to warm compresses
• Shampooing: You can wash your hair (be gentle around incisions; avoid direct water pressure)
• Reading and screen time: Okay in moderation
• Work from home: If your job is sedentary, you may return if you feel comfortable

What to Avoid

• ✗ Exercise or sports
• ✗ Lifting or bending
• ✗ Hot water on the face
• ✗ Makeup on the incision areas
• ✗ Sauna or steam rooms
• ✗ Swimming
• ✗ Sleeping flat (continue elevated sleeping)

Medications

• Continue pain medication as needed (tapering off)
• Continue antibiotic ointment on incisions
• Finish all prescribed antibiotics

Status: Swelling begins to decrease; most people resume normal work

What You’ll Experience

• Swelling noticeably decreases
• Bruising remains visible but begins to fade
• Numbness in the forehead/temple area continues (this can last 6–8 weeks)
• Incision sites feel mostly comfortable
• You can see the first signs of the tear trough improvement beneath the swelling

What You Can Do

• Return to work: Most patients resume regular work activities (desk-based jobs)
• Light exercise: Gentle walking, light stretching (no intense cardio)
• Shampooing normally: Full hair washing is fine; be gentle around incisions
• Makeup: You can carefully apply makeup to cover bruising (avoid incision lines)
• Normal diet: Eat normally (nothing too hot)
• Social activities: Light, low-key outings are okay

What to Avoid

• ✗ Heavy exercise or cardio
• ✗ Contact sports
• ✗ Lifting more than 10 lbs
• ✗ Bending or stooping excessively
• ✗ Swimming or water sports
• ✗ Sauna, steam, or intense heat
• ✗ Direct sun exposure on incisions (use SPF 30+)

When to Call Your Surgeon

• Excessive bleeding or drainage
• Signs of infection (fever, pus, increasing redness)
• Severe, uncontrolled pain
• Sudden increase in swelling

Status: Swelling subsides noticeably; you’ll feel much more normal

What You’ll Experience

• Swelling reduces significantly (especially around the eyes)
• Bruising fades considerably but may still be visible
• Most of the tightness and discomfort resolves
• Incision sites are mostly healed on the surface
• You can start to see the improvement in the tear trough area
• Energy levels return closer to normal

What You Can Do

• Full work return: Resume all work activities (unless physically demanding)
• Light exercise: Brisk walking, light yoga, swimming (incisions must be fully sealed first—ask your surgeon)
• Makeup: Full makeup application to cover any remaining marks
• Normal activities: Most daily routines and social events
• Shampooing and grooming: Normal care without restriction
• Travel: Local travel is fine; ask before flying

What to Avoid

• ✗ Heavy lifting or intense exercise
• ✗ Strenuous sports
• ✗ Sauna or steam (still not recommended)
• ✗ Direct, prolonged sun exposure (use SPF 30+)
• ✗ Swimming in chlorinated pools (if incisions aren’t fully sealed)

Medications

• Most patients can discontinue pain medication by this point
• Continue antibiotic ointment if incisions are still healing
• No additional medications needed unless you have specific concerns

Status: Swelling mostly resolved; results becoming visible

What You’ll Experience

• Swelling is nearly gone (minor residual puffiness may remain)
• Bruising is significantly faded and easily covered with makeup
• Incision sites are well-healed on the surface
• Numbness in the forehead/temple persists but gradually improving
• The tear trough correction is now clearly visible
• You look and feel like yourself again

What You Can Do

• All activities: Return to normal exercise, sports, and physical activity
• Full makeup: Normal makeup application
• Swimming: Chlorinated pools are okay
• Travel: All travel is permitted
• Sauna and steam: These are now safe
• Sun exposure: Normal, with SPF 30+ sunscreen
• All social and professional activities: Full return to normal life

What to Avoid

• ✗ Nothing significant at this point
• ✗ Just continue protecting incisions from direct sun for another month

Status: Healing complete; final swelling resolves; results emerging clearly

What You’ll Experience

• All swelling is gone
• Any remaining bruising is completely faded and unnoticeable
• Incision scars are well-healed and hidden in the hairline
• Numbness continues to improve
• The tear trough correction is very visible and looking natural
• Results are approximately 80–90% of final appearance

What You Can Do

• Everything: Full, unrestricted activity
• Exercise: Intense workouts, cardio, sports—all are fine
• Sauna and steam: Safe without restriction
• Sun exposure: Normal, with regular sunscreen
• All grooming: Normal hair and makeup care

Status: Complete healing; final results visible; full graft integration achieved

What You’ll Experience

• All swelling is completely gone
• Full results visible: The tear trough is smoothly corrected; the eyelid-to-cheek transition is smooth and youthful
• Fat graft fully integrated: Permanent incorporation into surrounding tissue
• Stable, natural-looking volume: No changes after this point
• Numbness resolved or nearly resolved: Most sensation returns to normal
• Incision scars are invisible: Fully hidden in the hairline; barely visible even under scrutiny

What You Can Do

• Everything without restriction
• Enjoy your permanent, natural-looking results

Swelling Management

• Swelling peaks around days 2–5, then gradually resolves
• Some residual swelling may persist for 4–6 weeks
• This is completely normal and expected

Numbness and Sensation

• Numbness in the forehead and temple area is normal
• It gradually improves over 6–12 weeks
• Most sensation returns by 3 months; some may take longer
• This does not indicate a problem

Bruising

• Bruising is variable and depends on individual healing and genetics
• It fades progressively over 2–4 weeks
• Makeup effectively covers bruising after the first week

Scar Care

• Incisions are within the hairline and hidden
• Once fully healed (2–3 weeks), protect from sun with SPF 30+
• Silicone scar cream (optional) may help minimize scars further
• After 1 month, they are barely visible

Activity Restrictions

• Return to work is possible as early as 1 week for sedentary jobs
• Exercise can resume at 2 weeks (light) to 4 weeks (full intensity)
• The first 2 weeks are critical—rest and elevation are essential
• Listen to your body; if something hurts, don’t do it

When to Contact Your Surgeon

• Excessive bleeding or drainage
• Signs of infection (fever, pus, increasing redness or warmth)
• Severe, uncontrolled pain despite medication
• Sudden increase in swelling after improving
• Asymmetry or concerns about the shape of results
• Any questions or concerns

Week 1:

• Sleep elevated with 2–3 pillows
• Use ice religiously
• Avoid bending and lifting
• Stay home and rest

Weeks 2–3:

• Switch to warm compresses if desired
• Gradually increase activity
• Protect incisions from sun
• Use makeup to cover any bruising

Weeks 4+:

• Resume normal activities
• Continue sun protection for incisions
• Be patient with gradual numbness resolution
• Enjoy your results!