21 Sep Masks Created a Spike in Eyelid Lifts and Brow Lifts
Although many parts of the world have returned to some kind of “normal,” even if you don’t wear masks anymore the era of mask-wearing has created a serious shift. At RefinedMD and at cosmetic surgery clinics around the world, an increase in requests for upper and lower eyelid lifts as well as brow lifts has been noted in the past two years. When we got used to only showing people the upper half of our face, we became more aware of just how severe the aging process is in this area. Particularly around the eyes, where skin is thin and always moving, and where lines, wrinkles, sagging, and laxity can occur as early as your late teens. Blepharoplasty can fix these problems – talk with double board certified facial surgeon, Dr. Sudeep Roy, today.
Blepharoplasty is the technical term for an eyelid lift, and it can be performed on the lower lids, upper lids, or both. Most patients find that they benefit from both, especially since these surgeries are surprisingly quick with minimal incisions and a quick recovery period. However, lower and upper blephs address very different issues.
Eyelid Surgery Differences
When you slipped on your mask in the past two years, maybe you noticed you looked older and/or more tired than you felt. This could be caused by a variety of factors. Perhaps the “bags” under your eyes suddenly appeared more pronounced now that a mask covered the lower half of your face. These bags can be compounded by uneven pockets of fat that gather here, which becomes increasingly common with age. Oftentimes, a lower blepharoplasty is combined with liposuction in this area to remove bags while smoothing the skin. In some cases, only liposuction is needed. When this is the case, incisions can be made inside the eyelids so they are not seen at all. If skin needs to be removed, incisions are made along the lower lash line.
We can also look more fatigued and older when sagging occurs on the upper eyelid. The name for this is “ptosis” and it can range from mild to so severe that it interferes with your vision. Ptosis can also make a person look angry. The process for an upper blepharoplasty involves removing excess skin by trimming it away. An incision is made in the natural crease of the eyelid. Patients look younger, healthier, and perkier after an upper bleph. Thanks to the high vascularity of the eyelid region, initial swelling and bruising lasts for just 1 – 2 weeks. Many patients feel comfortable being seen in public after about one week, or might wear sunglasses to keep their discretion if they need to slip out while in the initial days of healing.
Raise Some Brows (in the Right Way)
Unlike blepharoplasty surgery, which strictly addresses the eye area, a brow lift fixes sagging along the browline and forehead. It can be difficult to tell if sagging is caused from laxity on the upper eyelids, the brow, or both. In many cases, a patient might benefit from combining blepharoplasty with a brow lift. Brow lifts require incisions that are small and hidden within the hairline. This surgery not only raises the “pushed-down,” angry-looking browline but also minimizes and erases horizontal lines on the forehead. If you’ve found that Botox in the forehead isn’t working as well as it used to, or if your brows always look furrowed, a brow lift might be in order.
Brow lifts are not inherently included in a facelift, but can be a common complement. Contrary to what the name suggests, a facelift only addresses skin on the lower half of the face (well below the lower eyelid) and the neck. It is not a full lifting of the face. If your main concern is the area around the eyes and brow, a facelift isn’t the right match for you.
Getting Ready for Treatment
You can also maximize results by combining surgeries with non-surgical treatments, such as laser skin rejuvenation, to improve the quality of the skin. Let’s work together to determine which surgeries will achieve the results you want and create a treatment plan to sustain those results. The key to a gorgeous outcome is working with the best plastic surgeons and skin care experts. That’s why we offer a suite of surgical procedures along with non-invasive and minimally-invasive treatments—you deserve long-lasting, natural-looking results that you’ll love. Contact RefinedMD to schedule a consultation today. Give us a call or, for the fastest reply, complete the online contact form now.