09 Apr Eyelid Aging & Blepharoplasty: Is This Cosmetic Eye Surgery Right For You?
The Signs of Aging Eyes
Like every other part of the human body, the eyes change and show signs of aging as a person grows older. The skin surrounding the eyes is already thin and delicate. Over time, the skin starts to develop wrinkles and fine lines due to a lack of elasticity, less moisture, and gravity. The muscles surrounding the eyes will also weaken, leading to droopy eyelids and a condition known as ptosis. People can also develop undereye bags as a result of excess fluid retention. Other eye issues include age spots, dark circles, crow’s feet, puffiness, and sagging skin. Discover the impact that blepharoplasty
can have on aging.
Can signs of aging be reversed?
Patients cannot stop the eyes from aging, but certain approaches can reduce or reverse prominent signs of aging. Patients should implement a good skincare routine by removing eye makeup at night, cleansing the face, and using a good moisturizer and eye cream. Another way to slow the signs of aging is through cosmetic surgery. A cosmetic procedure like a blepharoplasty will eliminate signs of aging and make the eyes look more refreshed.
The basics of a blepharoplasty
A blepharoplasty is the scientific term for eyelid surgery, which is a cosmetic procedure that greatly improves the appearance of aging eyes. A blepharoplasty can also improve vision for those dealing with ptosis, glaucoma, or a detached retina. A blepharoplasty is categorized into two different procedures, commonly known as an upper blepharoplasty and a lower blepharoplasty. An upper blepharoplasty addresses the upper eyelid, and the lower procedure targets the lower lash line area. Depending on the patient’s needs, an upper and lower blepharoplasty can be performed at the same time.
What happens during an upper blepharoplasty?
For this procedure, surgeons create an incision along the eyelid crease to eliminate excess fat and skin. Surgeons may also remove some of the orbicularis oculi muscle or open the orbital septum to help define the eye and brow area. Excess fat is removed from the medial and central fat pads to improve eye shape. After everything has been removed and tightened, the incisions are closed with sutures. This surgery works best for patients dealing with sagging and inflamed eyelids.
How surgeons perform a lower blepharoplasty
During a lower blepharoplasty, surgeons make incisions along the lower eyelid to remove pockets of fat and skin or tighten skin and muscle tissue. Pockets of excess fat can create undereye bags and enhance the look of dark circles. By removing the fat, the patient no longer has the appearance of puffy under eyes. To correct crow’s feet, surgeons can remove and tighten the skin and muscle tissue around the lower eye area.
Consulting a surgeon about cosmetic surgery
Before opting for a cosmetic procedure, patients should consult with a plastic surgeon to determine the cosmetic issue. Different issues require different approaches, so surgeons must identify the root cause of these problems. For example, ptosis makes the upper eyelid sag and hang over the eye. To fix this issue, surgeons must perform an upper eyelid blepharoplasty to remove excess skin. This approach may differ from the one used for a patient with unsightly age spots. Therefore, patients should speak to a surgeon to diagnose the cosmetic issue and discuss the right procedure.