When it comes to aging, some of the earliest noticeable signs often occur around the upper eyelids. Over time, the skin can develop fat deposits, the muscles can weaken, the skin can droop, and your eyes can give away your age and make you seem tired, sad, or angry, even when your face is at rest. The upper eyelids can even become so heavy that they droop over your eyes and interfere with your vision.
Eyelid surgery has been helping men and women since the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans to eliminate unwanted excess skin and to enhance their appearance effectively and safely. Today, it is one of the most popular procedures for correcting defects, deformities, and disfigurations of the eyelids — but how do you know when it’s time for blepharoplasty?
Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
With eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, you can achieve the following results:
- Heavy, drooping eyelids can be lifted, restoring vision
- Excess skin on the upper eyelids can be removed
- Any fat bulges around the eyes can be removed or redistributed
- Skin that has lost its elasticity and lax muscles can be tightened and firmed
Patients look more youthful, refreshed, and awake after blepharoplasty. They also typically feel more confident in their appearance and often enjoy enhanced vision.
Signs That You May Need Eyelid Surgery
During your consultation, a plastic surgeon will be able to tell you whether or not they think you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery. If you’ve been experiencing any of the following problems, then it’s probably a fairly good indication that you may need blepharoplasty.
- The skin above your eyes has been sagging
- You have difficulty keeping your eyelids open due to them feeling heavy
- Your eyelids are constantly and consistently looking “puffy”
- You have trouble with your vision due to your upper eyelids drooping so far that they get in the way
- You constantly have puffy bags under your eyes
- Your confidence is affected because of the appearance of your eyes
- Your lower eyelids are sagging downward so far that the whites of your eyes are visible
If you’ve been struggling with one or more of these signs, then it’s definitely time to consult an experienced plastic surgeon and ask about eyelid surgery.
How Old Should You Be For Eyelid Surgery?
There’s no “right” age for blepharoplasty. Any healthy adult with realistic expectations can be a good candidate for the procedure. Despite what you might think, it’s not just older people who can benefit from eyelid surgery; patients of various ages can and do undergo blepharoplasty.
Factors such as aging, genetics, or personal preferences can influence a person’s candidacy for eyelid surgery. The following are some examples of why some younger people choose to undergo eyelid surgery like blepharoplasty:
· Genetics – Some people in their 20s can genetically have overly heavy eyelids. In addition to being an aesthetic issue, heavy eyelids can also leave patients prone to skin infections or eyelid irritation.
· Makeup application – Many patients love wearing makeup on their eyelids. If the eyelid is covered by skin folds, or if the eyelashes are covered up, it can make the application of makeup much more difficult.
· Impaired Vision – Patients with puffy, overly heavy eyelids can experience impaired vision that can be corrected with eyelid surgery.
How Blepharoplasty Procedures Are Performed
During eyelid surgery, IV sedation and local anesthesia are used so that the entire procedure is painless. The whole procedure is done as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can be driven home on the same day that the surgery takes place.
When performing the operation, a few incisions will be made along the eyelids to remove some of the skin, muscle, and fat tissue. To prevent visible scarring from the operation, the incision for the upper eyelids is created along the eyelid’s natural crease. For the same reason, the incision for the lower eyelids will either be made just below the eyelashes or on the inside of the eyelid.
Recovering From Blepharoplasty
Once the blepharoplasty surgery has been completed, recovery will take a couple of weeks. There will be swelling and bruising, and your eyelids will be somewhat black and blue. However, the swelling and bruising should fade after about 12 days.
While recovering from blepharoplasty surgery, it’s incredibly important that you treat your eyelids with gentle care. Any swelling you have can be treated with ice, and you should ensure that you use only prescription ointments and eye drops to clean your eyelids.
Don’t be too overly concerned if your recovery process doesn’t proceed exactly as expected, as it will obviously differ somewhat from patient to patient. It may be a little slower or it may be a little faster, but either way, your eyelids will heal from blepharoplasty eventually.
You should make sure that you avoid any strenuous activities such as lifting heavy objects or running, to avoid the potential of tearing the surgical incisions. Likewise, make sure you avoid rubbing your eyes and refrain from wearing any contact lenses until the swelling and bruising have subsided. You’ll also want to stay away from too much exposure to sunlight, and you should try to wear sunglasses as much as possible when out and about.
Schedule an Eyelid Surgery Consultation
Considering eyelid surgery? Schedule a consultation with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Bared, M.D., F.A.C.S. of Facial Plastic Surgery Miami to learn more about the procedure and how you can benefit from blepharoplasty. Dr. Bared’s office can be reached at 305-508-4079.