05 Jan Your Eyes are Giving Away Your Age—Blepharoplasty Can Help
Where is the first place you noticed signs of aging? Many people will say their eyes, and it’s not unusual to notice the first signs of lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet even as a teenager. This is why double board-certified Dr. Sudeep Roy at RefinedMD recommends an eyelid lift (also known as blepharoplasty) for many patients considering surgery to look younger. This procedure is fast and relatively easy with a shockingly fast recovery period. Let’s consider why the eyes age first and why blepharoplasty is such a simple way to turn back the clock.
The skin around the eyes is very delicate. In fact, many lasers aren’t even approved for this area (and the lips) because of how fragile it is. This skin is also routinely exposed to UV damage. Studies have shown that when applying sunscreen, the majority of people skip the area around the eyes or don’t apply it properly for fear of getting sunscreen in their eyes. This leaves the eyelids, both upper and lower, exposed to the sun’s rays day after day. Additionally, this skin is very mobile. It’s always moving, even when you’re asleep thanks to REM. It’s really no surprise that we show signs of aging here first—but the good news is there’s something you can do about it.
All About Eyelid Lifts
Eyelid lifts, or blepharoplasty, can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. Many patients choose to undergo both procedures during one appointment, and it’s a popular add-on to a facelift and brow lift. The two procedures are very different. With an upper blepharoplasty, excess skin is trimmed away. Upper eyelids might sag due to skin laxity, but also the muscles that raise the eyelids can get worn out. This leads to ptosis, the technical term for sagging eyelids. However, ptosis can be addressed with eyelid surgery, and incisions are hidden in the natural creases of the upper eyelid.
A lower blepharoplasty addresses completely different concerns. Do you notice wrinkles under the eyes in photos of you smiling? How about bags? Dark circles? These are all caused by skin laxity and sometimes uneven fat deposits. A lower bleph trims away excess skin, hiding the incisions either along the lower lashline or inside the eyelid. In some cases, fat is removed during the procedure to smooth out this area and get rid of bags. Sometimes dermal fillers may be injected into this area as well, marrying surgical and non-surgical approaches.
Whether you opt for an upper lift, lower lift, or both, this area of the face is highly vascularized. This means that healing is naturally going to be fast and easy. It might sound like incisions along your lashline or even inside your eyelids will be uncomfortable and painful, but that is surprisingly not the case. It’s important to rest your eyes in the days following the surgery, but most patients feel perfectly fine post-procedure. There will be some swelling and perhaps bruising, but this typically fades within 10 days. After this period, most patients feel confident getting back to most of their daily tasks, including work, but it may be a little longer before you’re approved to go completely back to intensive exercise.
Your Eyelid Lifts
There’s no ideal age for an eyelid lift, but many patients feel ready for blepharoplasty before other anti-aging surgery, such as a facelift. Patients in their 30s and even late 20s in some cases may be good candidates for blepharoplasty. Most patients are interested in this surgery because of signs of aging, but there are also instances where blepharoplasty is recommended because of excessive rubbing the eyes (and tearing of muscles), uneven fat deposits due to genetics, or other such issues.
If you’re bothered by aging, sagging eyelids, Dr. Sudeep Roy can help. Blepharoplasty offers one of the quickest recoveries of any plastic surgery along with beautiful, natural-looking results. You’ll not only look younger, but also healthier and less tired. Learn more about eyelid lifts during your consultation. Connect with RefinedMD by calling the office, starting an online chat, or complete the online form today.