Lower Eyelid Lowering (Glamorous Line): Downtime
Moderate Category: Eye Surgery Last updated: 2026-07-02
Lower eyelid lowering (often called the glamorous line procedure) lowers the edge of the lower eyelid, mainly toward the outer corner, to create a rounder, softer-looking eye shape. It can be performed without incisions using sutures, or with an incision on the conjunctival (inner) or skin side, and the length of downtime differs depending on the method chosen. As a general guide, swelling and bruising last about 1–2 weeks, and it is best to allow 1–3 months for the new line to blend in and settle naturally. Recovery varies from person to person, and the timeframes given here are only a guide.
Downtime1–2 weeks
PainMild
MakeupNext day to a fe…
Work / social lifeMany people retu…
On this page
- Downtime at a glance
- Recovery timeline: treatment day to final result
- Common symptoms
- When can I do what? (Daily-life restrictions)
- Pain and anesthesia
- Tips for a smoother recovery
- Risks and side effects (the honest version)
- Spacing and combining with other procedures
- Who it may suit / who should be cautious
- Frequently asked questions
Downtime at a glance
Swelling and bruising last about 1–2 weeks. The area is fairly easy to conceal with sunglasses or bangs, and intense swelling typically lasts only a few days.
Typical downtime is 1–2 weeks (intense swelling and bruising for 3–5 days; about 1–3 months until the line settles naturally). Recovery varies from person to person., and most people feel comfortable being seen in public after Many people return to desk work between the next day and a few days later (glasses and makeup make it easier to manage). For customer-facing or public-facing jobs, 1–2 weeks — once makeup can be applied reliably — is a common guide. The extent of bruising varies from person to person.. How much swelling or bruising appears varies from person to person, depending on constitution and the extent of treatment.
Recovery timeline: treatment day to final result
Day of procedure
As the anesthesia wears off, you may feel a dull ache or a sensation of warmth. Swelling begins and the eye area may feel heavy. Follow your prescribed cooling and eye-drop instructions and rest quietly. Avoid prolonged downward-facing tasks and alcohol.
Next day
Swelling and puffiness approach their peak around this time. If bruising develops, it may start to appear bluish around now. Wash your face gently, avoiding the eye area. Desk work is often manageable with glasses.
Day 3
For many people, the intense swelling begins to subside little by little around this time. Bruising may look darker, but this is part of the healing process. Wait for your doctor's approval before applying eye makeup.
1 week later
For incision methods, this is around the time stitches are removed. Swelling has usually settled considerably, and bruising often turns yellowish and fades. For some people, it becomes concealable with concealer.
2 weeks later
Puffiness subsides further and makeup becomes easier to apply around this time. Many people find public-facing work more manageable. The new line may still look slightly pronounced.
1 month later
Visible swelling is mostly no longer noticeable by this stage. Some tightness may remain, but it tends to ease gradually. The lowered line gradually blends in.
Final result (1–3 months)
Puffiness and minor asymmetry settle, the line blends in, and the result stabilizes around this time. How and when it settles varies from person to person. If anything concerns you, consult your doctor.
Bars show approximate swelling levels (individual results vary).
Common symptoms
| Symptom | Likelihood | When it appears | How long it lasts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swelling and puffiness | High | Same day to the next day | Intense swelling for about 3–5 days; mild swelling and puffiness for about 1–2 weeks | Incision methods generally tend to cause more swelling than suture-only methods. Temporary asymmetry between the two sides can also occur. The extent varies from person to person. |
| Bruising (black-and-blue marks) | Medium | Same day to 2 days later | About 1–2 weeks (often turning yellowish as it fades) | Bruising may spread from the lower eyelid toward the cheek. The extent varies from person to person, and some people have almost none. |
| Redness or bloodshot appearance of the white of the eye | Medium | Same day | A few days to about 1 week | This tends to occur more often when the procedure is performed from the conjunctival (inner) side. |
| Gritty or foreign-body sensation in the eye | Medium | Same day | A few days to about 1 week | This is usually a temporary effect of the sutures or swelling and tends to settle gradually. If it persists, consult your doctor. |
| Tightness or pulling sensation | Medium | A few days later | About 2–4 weeks | It is often noticed when smiling and tends to ease as the tissue settles in. |
| Watery eyes or a stinging feeling | Low | Same day to a few days later | A few days to about 1 week | This can occur temporarily due to irritation or dryness around the eyes. |
| Mild outward turning of the lower eyelid (ectropion) | Low | A few days later | About a few weeks (often improves on its own) | This can occur temporarily, for example when the eyelid is lowered by a larger amount. If it persists or does not seem to be resolving, consult your doctor. |
When can I do what? (Daily-life restrictions)
| Activity | Typically OK from | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Makeup (excluding the eye area) | Next day to a few days later | Often possible fairly early as long as you avoid the wound and swollen areas. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding the treated area. |
| Eye makeup | After stitch removal or around 1 week (with your doctor's approval) | For incision methods, after stitch removal; for suture methods, once the swelling has settled. Apply gently, without rubbing. |
| Face washing | Next day (gently around the eyes) | Do not scrub. Start by only lightly wetting the treated area. A gentle, low-irritation cleanser is also recommended. |
| Showering (below the neck) | Same day to the next day | Avoid rubbing your face or eye area firmly. Long, hot showers can worsen swelling. |
| Bathing (soaking in a tub) and hair washing | A few days to 1 week later | Increased blood flow can prolong swelling and bruising, so keep baths short while swelling is pronounced. |
| Alcohol | Around 1 week later | Alcohol can easily worsen swelling and bruising, so keep it to a minimum during downtime. |
| Exercise, saunas, and hot springs | Around 2 weeks later | Strenuous exercise, saunas, and hot springs boost circulation and can prolong swelling. Resume gradually, starting with light activity. |
| Contact lenses | A few days to 1 week later (with your doctor's approval) | To avoid rubbing the eye area when inserting lenses, wait until swelling and redness have settled. Glasses are a safer choice for the time being. |
| Eyelash extensions and lash perms | 2–4 weeks later | To avoid irritating the eye area and the positioning required during these treatments, wait until the swelling has settled. |
| Sleeping face-down or in positions that press on the eye area | 1–2 weeks | These can worsen swelling and puffiness. For now, many people find it more comfortable to sleep on their back with the head slightly elevated. |
| Rubbing or pressing hard on the eyes | Keep to a minimum until the final result (1–3 months) | Strain on the sutures or wound can affect the final line and result. |
Can you hide it? Concealment difficulty ●●○○○ ／ A mask cannot cover the eye area. Non-prescription glasses, sunglasses, or bangs that draw attention away from the eyes work well. For bruising and any remaining bluish or yellowish tones, layering a skin-tone concealer over an orange-toned color corrector makes them less noticeable. Once the swelling settles, eye makeup also helps with coverage. How easily it can be concealed varies from person to person.
Pain and anesthesia
The typical pain level is Mild. Local anesthesia (anesthetic eye drops combined with injected anesthesia) is commonly used. Depending on your preferences and the clinic's approach, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or other options may be added. During the procedure, strong pain is generally said to be unlikely because the anesthesia is working, though you may feel a brief pinch when the anesthetic is injected. Afterward, a dull ache or discomfort typically lasts only a few days, and it can generally be eased with prescribed pain relievers as needed. Pain perception varies from person to person.
Tips for a smoother recovery
- For a while after surgery, keeping the area clean and cooling it appropriately as directed by your doctor may help reduce swelling and bruising (avoid over-icing or pressing firmly and directly on the area).
- Sleeping on your back with an extra pillow so your head is slightly elevated tends to help puffiness subside.
- Avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, saunas, long baths, and other activities that strongly boost circulation until the swelling has settled.
- Limiting excess salt and staying moderately hydrated may help you manage puffiness.
- Minimize physical irritation to the area — do not rub your eyes, and avoid pressing on them by sleeping face-down.
- Use prescribed eye drops, oral medication, and ointments exactly as directed; do not stop them on your own judgment.
Risks and side effects (the honest version)
- Depending on how much the eyelid is lowered and any asymmetry, you may feel the line differs from what you expected or that the two sides do not match. Avoid judging the result before it is final, and consult your doctor if you have concerns.
- If the eyelid is lowered too much, it may turn outward (ectropion) or more of the white of the eye may show. This is usually said to be temporary, but if it does not resolve, corrective treatment may be needed.
- With non-incision suture methods, relapse (returning close to the original state), loosening of the sutures, or suture exposure can occur.
- Dry eye, a gritty sensation in the eye, and redness can be temporarily pronounced.
- Infection, severe swelling or hematoma, visible scarring, and pigmentation are all possible.
- These are elective (non-insured) procedures, and both the results and the length of downtime vary from person to person. Outcomes are not guaranteed. If concerning symptoms persist — such as severe pain, changes in vision, or prominent swelling — do not manage them on your own; see the clinic that performed the procedure promptly.
If a symptom lingers or gets worse, do not try to judge it yourself — contact the medical institution where you had the procedure.
Spacing and combining with other procedures
If you have a big event such as a wedding, photo shoot, or interview, it is safest to have the procedure at least 1–2 months — ideally 2–3 months — beforehand, allowing time for swelling and bruising to subside and the line to blend in. Recovery varies from person to person, so plan with plenty of margin. If you are considering a repeat procedure for relapse or fine adjustment, a common guide is 3–6 months or later, once the line has settled. Your doctor will decide after examining the condition of the tissue.
| Combined procedure | Timing | Wait time | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other eyelid surgeries such as double eyelid surgery or epicanthoplasty (inner corner surgery) | Same day OK | Same day (at your doctor's discretion) | As surgeries in the same eye area, they can often be performed at the same time, which may make it easier to consolidate downtime. Swelling tends to be stronger when procedures overlap, so allow extra recovery time. Your doctor will decide whether combining them is appropriate. |
| Under-eye bag removal (transconjunctival fat removal) | Wait required | 1–3 months (if on separate days) | Both involve working on the lower eyelid, so swelling and strain tend to add up. Whether to combine them or space them apart is decided by your doctor based on the condition of your eyes. If done on separate days, a common guide is to wait until one has settled. |
| Botox injection (outer corners / around the eyes) | Wait required | 2–4 weeks | While the area is swollen, it is difficult to judge results and pinpoint injection sites, and bruising can also overlap, so it is generally considered safer to wait until the swelling has subsided. |
| Hyaluronic acid filler (under-eyes, temples, etc.) | Wait required | 2–4 weeks | While swelling and puffiness remain, the outcome is hard to evaluate, and from an infection-control standpoint as well, it is safer to wait until the treated area has settled. |
| Laser and skin treatments around the eyes | Wait required | 1 month or longer | Heat-based stimulation is considered best avoided on areas with wounds or swelling, so these are performed after recovery. Spacing them apart also reduces the risk of pigmentation and inflammation. |
Who it may suit / who should be cautious
May suit you
- Those who want to soften an upturned look at the outer corners of the eyes and achieve a gentler impression
- Those who want to make the white of the eye showing below the iris less noticeable
- Those who want their eyes to look somewhat larger vertically
- Those who can set aside about 1–2 weeks of downtime
- Those who understand that results and recovery vary from person to person and want to decide in consultation with a doctor
Consider carefully
- Those with significant pre-existing dry eye or weak lower-eyelid support (careful assessment by a doctor is needed)
- Those with an important event coming up soon who cannot set aside enough downtime
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or otherwise better off choosing their timing for health reasons
- Those seeking absolute perfection or exact left-right symmetry in the result
Frequently asked questions
When can I go out without people noticing?
A common guide is 1–2 weeks, once the intense swelling and bruising have settled. With glasses, sunglasses, or concealer, many people can make it less noticeable even around the time of stitch removal (roughly 1 week). Allowing 1–3 months for the line to blend in naturally gives extra peace of mind. How easily it can be concealed and how you recover vary from person to person.
Does it hurt?
During the procedure, strong pain is generally said to be unlikely because the anesthesia is working; the main discomfort is a brief pinch from the anesthetic injection. Afterward, a dull ache or discomfort typically lasts only a few days, and it can generally be eased with prescribed pain relievers as needed. Pain perception varies from person to person.
Are there any tips for helping the swelling go down faster?
For a while after surgery, cool the area appropriately as directed by your doctor, and rest on your back with your head raised on a higher pillow — many people find this more comfortable. Alcohol, strenuous exercise, saunas, and long baths tend to prolong swelling, so keep them to a minimum. Not overdoing salt and not rubbing your eyes also matter. Results vary from person to person.
How many days should I take off work?
Many people return to desk work between the next day and a few days later. For customer-facing or public-facing jobs, 1–2 weeks — once makeup can be applied reliably — is a reassuring guide. Because the extent of bruising varies from person to person, planning with some extra margin is recommended.
Can it be redone if it doesn't match what I pictured?
Before the final result, swelling and puffiness can make the line look more pronounced, and it is generally advised not to rush to judgment. If concerns such as over-lowering, asymmetry, or relapse remain even after things settle, revision or adjustment may be an option. Whether and how revisions are handled differs between clinics, so first consult the doctor who performed your procedure.
Does downtime differ between incision and non-incision methods?
In general, non-incision suture methods tend to involve milder, shorter swelling and bruising, while methods involving an incision tend to take somewhat longer. On the other hand, how long the result lasts and who each method suits differ. It is best to choose in consultation with your doctor based on the condition of your eyes.
When can I go back to contact lenses or eyelash extensions?
For contacts, a common guide is a few days to 1 week after surgery, once redness and swelling have settled and with your doctor's approval; glasses are a safer choice for the time being. For eyelash extensions and lash perms, allowing about 2–4 weeks is recommended to avoid irritating the eye area. The right timing depends on your recovery, so check with your doctor.
Is there anything I should check before having this procedure?
It is reassuring to confirm in advance whether you can set aside enough downtime, whether follow-up visits are needed for stitch removal and monitoring, the clinic's policy on revisions, and how you would be supported if complications occur. These are elective (non-insured) procedures, and results vary between individuals and are not guaranteed — understand this and decide after discussing thoroughly with your doctor.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not an advertisement for any specific medical institution. All figures are typical guidelines; results and recovery vary from person to person. Please see a physician before making any final decision. The information on this site is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Final decisions about a procedure's suitability, risks, combinations, and intervals must always be made after being examined by a physician.