For most people, the delicate skin around the eyes is often the first to show the signs of aging. As collagen production declines, the tissues begin to stretch and sag, making us look older or more tired than we feel. It can also interfere with our vision if the eyelids hang too low. Since the eyes are so important to our overall facial appearance, this can change the way others perceive us and have a negative effect on our self-esteem. Fortunately, eyelid surgery is a practical solution for addressing these concerns, restoring function and beauty to give you a sense of renewed vitality in just one procedure.
If you’ve ever wanted to know if eyelid surgery is right for you, keep reading to learn more about this procedure, why it’s performed and how it can benefit you.
What is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery is a functional or cosmetic procedure that can awaken the eyes and help you achieve a more alert, youthful appearance. Also known as blepharoplasty, it involves removing excess skin, fat or muscle around the eyes to reverse the effects of aging. This procedure can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both, depending on your particular concerns. It can also be combined with other surgical treatments such as a facelift or brow lift for more comprehensive results.
Why is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
As we age, the skin around the eyelids can begin to droop and sag. This isn’t unusual as decreased collagen production often leads to wrinkles and a loss of elasticity. However, many people also experience weakening facial muscles that make it difficult for the eyelids to support the extra tissue. These effects can impact our appearance and make the eyes look aged or tired. In some cases, vision problems may even develop if the extra skin is so heavy that it weighs down the eyelids, so they hang in our line of sight. As a result, simple tasks such as driving, reading or watching television become more difficult.
Eyelid surgery is performed to correct these issues and restore a more youthful appearance. Cosmetic blepharoplasty is used to reverse the signs of aging, while functional blepharoplasty may be recommended to help with impaired vision. Whatever your reason for considering this procedure, Dr. Freeman will thoroughly assess your concerns and determine the best approach for achieving your goals, which may include addressing the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both for optimal results.
The Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
Lifted Upper Lids
Excess tissue that causes the upper eyelids to sag or droop can be a real nuisance. It often results in a puffy, heavy-lidded appearance that distorts your natural eye shape and contours. Extra folds of skin can also lead to irritation due to increased friction. If the surrounding muscles are unable to provide adequate support, the eyelids might even hang low enough that it obstructs your vision. Upper eyelid surgery can remove these sagging tissues to give your eyes a more lifted, alert appearance.
Smoother Lower Lids
Contrary to popular belief, dark circles and under-eye bags aren’t just symptoms of poor sleep. As we get older, weakened muscles and decreased collagen production can cause excess fat to accumulate beneath the eyes, contributing to permanent shadows and puffiness. Volume loss in the upper face can exacerbate this effect. Lower eyelid surgery removes unwanted skin, fat and tissue underneath the eyes to eliminate these concerns and give you a smoother appearance.
Improved Vision
Sagging eyelids can make us look old or tired, but they can also impair our vision if they droop into our line of sight. In this case, your doctor may recommend eyelid surgery for medical reasons. An initial appointment with an optometrist is often required to determine how much this excess skin interferes with your eyesight.
Restored Confidence
They say the eyes are a window into the soul, so it’s clear how important they are when it comes to our appearance, emotions and sociability. Good eye contact is also considered to be an indicator of confidence, especially when meeting new people. Unfortunately, the skin around the eyes is delicate and often one of the first areas to show the signs of aging, which can negatively impact your self-esteem. It can also change how you interact with others and give off the impression that you’re stressed, tired or angry. Eyelid surgery can help improve your overall appearance and restore your confidence with a refreshed, youthful look.
How is Eyelid Surgery Different from a Brow Lift?
One common question we get is regarding the difference between eyelid surgery and a brow lift. It’s important to understand that blepharoplasty focuses only on concerns that affect the eyelids and won’t correct a sagging brow or forehead lines. Instead, the goal is to remove excess tissue that gives the eyes a tired, worried or aged appearance. In contrast, a brow lift corrects the signs of aging by rejuvenating the forehead and eyebrows. It can address a drooping browline, deep forehead creases, frown lines and low brows. Some people choose to combine their eyelid surgery with a brow lift for the best results, but Dr. Freeman will discuss these options in more detail during your initial consultation.
Ideal Candidates for Eyelid Surgery
Now that you’ve learned more about eyelid surgery, you might be wondering if this procedure is right for you. Generally speaking, blepharoplasty is suitable for anyone with concerns caused by excess tissue in the upper or lower eyelids, such as drooping, sagging, dark circles, puffiness, irritation, vision problems or a chronically tired appearance.
Other factors that might make you a good candidate for eyelid surgery include:
- You’re in good overall health
- You have reasonable goals and expectations
- You’re bothered by sagging or drooping eyelids
- You want to eliminate under-eye bags or puffiness
- Your vision is impaired by extra eyelid skin
- You have pronounced tear troughs
- You have difficulty applying makeup to the eyes
- You want to look more refreshed and awake
If you notice a number of these concerns, upper and lower eyelid surgery can be performed at the same time for more comprehensive results. During your consultation, Dr. Freeman will assess your needs and expectations to develop your individualized treatment plan. If you have other issues you want to address, such as a sagging brow line or deep frown lines, he may also recommend including a brow lift to help you reach your goals.
Schedule a Consultation
Don’t let sagging eyelids or puffiness impact your appearance or interfere with your vision. If you’re interested in blepharoplasty and want to learn more about this procedure, contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation with one of Katy, Texas’ top facial plastic surgeons, Dr. John P. Freeman. You can reach us by clicking here or calling 281-599-9445.