When Eyelids Age Differently

When Eyelids Age Differently | RefinedMD, Los Gatos + San Jose

When Eyelids Age Differently

Look at a photo of yourself in your teens and you’ll probably find that your eyelids seem even. However, it’s very common for eyelids to age differently and at different paces, which is why many consider eyelid surgery in San Jose from board-certified Dr. Sudeep Roy. Also known as blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery can be performed on the lower lids, upper lids, or both. Our eyes are often the first place to show signs of aging, but what is routinely overlooked is the fact that we aren’t aging symmetrically. In fact, if you look at photos of yourself over the years, you can even notice how your eyelids change the severity of drooping, sagginess, and laxity.

There are several reasons the aging of our eyelids isn’t always equal. Sleeping on a particular side can affect the pulling of our eyelids, as can rubbing your eyes. In some cases, such as those who drive a lot, sun damage on the left side of your face can lead to more aging of the eyelid compared to the right. Even if we think the eyelid sagging (technically known as ptosis) isn’t very severe yet, the sheer difference between the two eyelids can be maddening. That’s where blepharoplasty can help.

What is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelids surgery removes excess skin from the upper or lower eyelids (or both) for a more youthful appearance. Blepharoplasty might be recommended on one eye or both. The goal is not just a more youthful, energetic appearance, but also symmetry. During blepharoplasty, there might be a need for additional treatments such as the removal of fat pockets below the eyelids. These fat pockets can make sagging and asymmetry seem even worse, and the shadow from fat pockets can create the appearance of darker under-eye circles.

Recovery from eyelid surgery is surprisingly quick. Most patients are back to work one week after their surgery. Eyelid skin is resilient and tends to heal rather quickly. It also helps that blepharoplasty only requires very minor incisions. These incisions are so small that once they heal, they are virtually invisible to the naked eye. Upper eyelid surgery places an incision in the crease of the natural eyelid. Lower eyelid surgery incisions are hidden either in the lash line or inside the eyelid. The latter might seem rather invasive, but it actually calls for a very comfortable recovery. The inside of our lower eyelids is somewhat similar to the inside of our cheeks. Just how accidentally biting the inside of your cheek doesn’t usually require a very long recovery (or leaves scarring), the same is true of the inside of the lower eyelid.

Warding Off Ptosis

Since our eyelid skin is so thin, delicate, and mobile, we see signs of aging in this area very quickly. It’s not uncommon for those in their early twenties to see crow’s feet or early signs of crepe-like skin. This is especially true when we smile, which sadly leads to some people adopting a “stoic” expression at all times and refusing to smile. What fun is that? Those with asymmetry might also take on a sort of expression in photos in order to appear more symmetrical, such as slightly arching a brow. Blepharoplasty restores symmetry while helping you look better rested and younger—with a relatively short downtime.

The Natural Touch

As you can imagine, it’s critical that you only work with a reputable board-certified surgeon for blepharoplasty or any other surgery. The eyes are the first thing we notice about others, and you want your results to be completely natural-looking. Dr. Roy specializes in surgeries that appear organic so nobody will ever know that you’ve had anything done. They’ll just see that you seem healthier, happier, more energetic, and youthful. When done correctly, a blepharoplasty can erase years off your face without ever giving away your secret.

It’s no wonder blepharoplasty is one of the first facial plastic surgeries people consider, and during COVID is the perfect time to treat yourself to this procedure. You aren’t traveling, so you’ll be able to rest at home in the days following the blepharoplasty and enjoy an easy recovery. To learn more about blepharoplasty, contact Dr. Roy at RefinedMD by calling (408) 688-2082.