Hooding, ageing and laxity around the eyes
The ageing process, heredity, skin type and environmental factors can make the eyelids droop, making you look tired, sad or older than you feel. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. Depending on your specific needs, you may also benefit from a brow lift to refresh and restore he natural shape and curve of your brows.
Why do the eyes typically show the first sigs of ageing?
The skin on the upper eyelids is among the thinnest anywhere on the body and so it comes as no surprise that this area is usually the first to show the early signs of ageing, as the natural collagen and elastic being to break down over time. With age, the skin as well as the underlying muscles and fatty tissues, begin to weaken and sag.
Upper eyelid surgery involves tightening of the eyelid skin as well as removing or redistributing the deeper layers of muscle and fat that may be contributing to the problem of sagging and heaviness. Whether you want to improve your appearance or are experiencing functional problems with your eyelids, eyelid surgery can rejuvenate the area surrounding your eyes. The result is an improved contour, shape and tightness of the upper eyelids.
What can eyelid lift be used to treat?
- Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision
- Fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids
How is eyelid lifting performed?
An eyelid surgery procedure includes the following steps:
Step 1 – Anaesthesia
Upper eyelid lift is usually performed under local anaesthesia. This means that you are awake but the area is numbed with anaesthetic solution so that you feel no discomfort during your procedure.
Step 2 – The incision
The incision lines for eyelid surgery are designed so the resultant scars will be well concealed within the natural crease of the eyelid. The upper eyelid can be corrected through an incision within the natural crease on the eyelid. This allows for removal or repositioning of fat deposits, tightening of muscles and removal of excess skin. Occasionally, the excision has to extend outwards into the crows feet area to take away excess skin on the outer portion of the yield. In this case, the scar will normally sit concealed within a natural crease.
Step 3 – Closing the incisions
Eyelid incisions typically are closed with sutures or skin glue. Sutures are removed within one week.
Step 4 – See the results
There will be some swelling and bruising which will mostly settle in the first one to two weeks post surgery, but will take longer to fully disappear. The results of eyelid surgery will appear gradually as swelling and bruising subside to reveal a smooth, better-defined eyelid and surrounding region, and a more alert and rejuvenated appearance.
What should I expect from my eyelid lift recovery?
During your eyelid surgery recovery, lubricating ointment and cold compresses may be applied, and in some cases your eyes may be loosely covered with gauze, after your procedure is completed.
You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for your eyes, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your overall health and when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.
Initial healing may include some swelling, bruising, irritation, dry eyes and discomfort that can be controlled with medication, cold compresses and ointment. Irritation at the incision sites is also possible.
What about wearing glasses and being exposed to the sun?
You must practice diligent sun protection and use darkly tinted sunglasses until the healing process is fully complete.
What results should I expect after eyelid surgery?
The results of eyelid surgery will be long-lasting. While there usually is little pain involved in this surgery, there can be swelling or bruising. Most patients are presentable to the public in 10-14 days. However, it may take a few months before final healing is completed.
While eyelid surgery can be expected to correct certain conditions permanently, you will continue to age naturally. Ongoing sun protection will help to maintain your results. Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
