The eyes are the windows to the soul, or so they say. If your eyes are not shining as brightly as usual, thanks to the signs of aging, you don’t have to settle for this new look. Loose, sagging skin on the eyelids is a very common problem faced by men and women as they grow older. Baggy, puffy upper eyelids can also make your eyes appear sad, tired, or just older. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, can do much to reverse these unwanted effects. If you’re unhappy with the way time has changed the way your eyes appear, you might be a good candidate for blepharoplasty.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a unique type of procedure, since it can be tailored to correct upper lids, lower lids, or a combination of the two. Your plastic surgeon will work with you to determine which changes should be made to help you achieve a more youthful appearance.
Both procedures can be performed under local anesthesia and sometimes IV sedation or general anesthesia if necessary. An upper lid blepharoplasty begins with an incision along the natural upper lid skin crease. Your surgeon will then remove skin, fat, and muscle to achieve the desired look. Lower lid blepharoplasty can vary based on what changes are needed, though it will often involve the removal of fat and tightening of skin for a smoother, rejuvenated look.
Reason #1 – Bags Under Your Eyes
When skin begins to sag beneath the eyes, the result is often loose “bags” that can make you look older. Bags beneath the eyes are a common sign of aging but can also be exaggerated by heredity. While there are many types of eye creams available today, including firming formulas, they will often come up short, leaving that extra skin behind. Eyelid surgery can address this problem by removing the excess lax skin and redistributing fat cells as needed.
Reason #2 – Eyes That Look Tired
Skin naturally loses its elasticity as the body grows older and the effects are often the most obvious around the eyes. Once the skin is loose, it will begin to sag. The sagging gets worse as fat deposits shift downward to create puffiness in the upper and lower lids. Puffiness will inevitably make you look tired all the time, so much so that people might start asking you if you’re feeling run down. An eyelid surgery to correct the puffiness in the upper and lower lids might be necessary to achieve a natural, more youthful—and less tired!—look for your eyes.
Reason #3 – Looking Sad Even When You Smile
With enough extra skin, fatty cells, and loose muscle, your eyes will start to droop. Once the effects have become drastic enough, you might notice that your biggest smile can’t get those eyes to move at all. This can make it hard to convey emotions to others, one of the important functions of your eyes. In fact, you might start giving off the impression that you’re sad or angry when you’re not at all. Your plastic surgeon can help to reverse this problem and give your eyes the chance the express themselves once again.
Reason #4 – A Better Place for Eye Makeup
Creases and folds in your eyelids can make applying eye shadow a pointless endeavor. The skin will crepe and stick to your applicator, smearing the makeup everywhere in a big mess. For many women, eye makeup is a vital part of their daily routine, one that can make them feel good about how they look. The aging process shouldn’t take away the little things you enjoy, like dressing up with a dramatic smoky eye for a night out. Reclaim your upper lids with a little help from your plastic surgeon to make a better canvas for those beautiful colors.
Reason #5 – Visual Problems
In extreme cases, the sagging skin on the upper eyelids can stretch far enough to get in the way of your eyes. If your vision is blocked like this, even the most basic tasks can be affected. Driving, crossing the street, working at a computer, and getting through the day can all be incredibly challenging. This is a serious problem that must be dealt with. If your vision is impaired by loose skin, talk to your plastic surgeon as soon as possible to schedule a blepharoplasty.
Reason #6 – Turn Back Time
Any aging effects on the tissue around your eyes can make you appear much older than you are. The eyes are a central feature of the face, the place where others will look to determine your mood and your emotions. When your eyes look tired and old, so do you. Eyelid surgery reverses the damaging effects that age has on the skin, fat, and muscles surrounding the eyes. Correcting these problems can leave you looking younger, feeling rejuvenated, and glowing all around.
How Do I Get Started With Eyelid Surgery?
If it sounds like a blepharoplasty procedure is the answer you’ve been looking for to solve your aging eye problems, begin your planning process with the right plastic surgeon for the job. Visit Renu Med Spa and Plastic Surgery to speak with founder and Medical Director Dr. Philip Schoenfeld, a board certified facial plastic surgeon with experience in anti-aging treatments and other surgical procedures. He takes a keen interest in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, having practiced in Washington, D.C. since 1994. A proven track record for excellence and a personal dedication to aesthetics have earned him a significant reputation among his peers. He was voted one of America’s Top Doctors in 2013 by Castle Connolly. Contact the Renu Med Spa and Plastic Surgery, located at 5454 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1625 in Chevy Chase, Maryland, by calling (301) 652-RENU (7368). Book your appointment with Dr. Schoenfeld today to discuss your personal options for surgery and treatment.