Are you considering eyelid surgery for tired-looking eyes?
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is among the US’s top five cosmetic surgical procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 325,112 people underwent this surgery in 2020. It’s second only to nose-reshaping or rhinoplasty in terms of popularity.
The area around the eyes is often the first to show the signs of aging. As we age, the muscles supporting the eyelids become weak. This results in drooping upper eyelids or the appearance of dark circles and puffiness or “eye bags” under the eyes.
Blepharoplasty can help resolve these issues and rejuvenate your face for a more youthful appearance. Eyelid surgery can target either the upper or lower eyelid.
Which one should you choose? Or is it better to have both done? To help with your decision, here are some facts about upper and lower eyelid surgery.
Upper Blepharoplasty
The skin of the upper eyelids is thin and delicate. As we grow older, the skin of the upper eyelids becomes loose, the supporting muscles become lax, and fat deposits accumulate. The overall weight pulls the upper eyelids down, causing them to sag.
Sagging of the upper eyelids makes you look sleepy or tired. In some cases, the eyelids can droop to the degree that limits or blocks normal vision. This condition is known as ptosis.
What is blepharoplasty for the upper eyelids? The surgeon removes excess skin, muscle, and fat through a small incision in the upper eyelid. The muscles can be repositioned and the fat tissue redistributed before closing the incision with fine sutures.
The entire procedure only takes about 30 to 60 minutes and can be performed under local anesthesia. With the upper lids “lifted,” you can have eyes that look more vibrant. Upper eyelid surgery can also help restore normal vision in patients with ptosis.
Lower Blepharoplasty
The lower eyelid can also become loose with age and sometimes pulled away from the eyes (retraction). Drooping lower eyelids may form pockets that give a shadow, causing the appearance of dark circles. Fat or fluid can also collect in these pockets, resulting in puffiness under the eyes.
Blepharoplasty removes the excess fat and loose skin that cause eye bags. Your cosmetic surgeon will also fill up the hollow areas that form shadows by repositioning fat tissues. Sometimes, your doctor may also use fat from other sites to add volume to the cheeks so that they blend naturally with the lower eyelids.
The surgeon makes a discreet incision just below the eyelashes or inside the eyelid. The procedure is more involved than upper blepharoplasty and can take about 60 to 90 minutes. Scarring is almost unperceivable after healing.
After the surgery, the eye bags, dark circles, and even wrinkles will miraculously disappear. It’s a procedure that can revitalize and restore the natural contour of the area under your eyes.
Do You Need Both?
Aging can affect both upper and lower eyelids, causing you to look older than your age. For best results, you might need a combination of upper and lower blepharoplasty. Getting rid of sagging eyelids, puffiness, and dark circles can produce dramatic results.
Whether upper, lower, or both combined, eyelid surgical procedures can take years off your face. They can transform how you look and, more importantly, how you feel about yourself.
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