The skin on our eyelids and around our eyes is very delicate. In fact, it is some of the thinnest skin on the entire human body. Despite our best efforts to wear sunglasses and protect this skin, it is also exposed to the elements at all times. Add in the slackening of our tissues that comes with the passing years, and you’re left with droopy, sagging eyelids, and puffy, wrinkled areas under the eyes. Considering the eyes are the focus of the face, they may be telling others you’re a decade older than you really are.
But eyelid surgery with Dr. Bedrossian can turn back the clock on your aging eyes. Using state-of-the-art laser technology, Dr. Bedrossian removes excess skin and fat, and tightens the underlying muscles as needed to give you younger, more rested-looking eyes. Eyelid surgery can be purely cosmetic, or it may be used to correct sagging eyelid skin that has begun to impact your vision.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Eyelid surgery, known as blepharoplasty, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries across the world. This is because this surgery delivers dramatic, yet subtle results. Dr. Bedrossian performs eyelid surgery on both upper and lower eyelids. The goal is to tighten the eyelids, removing the saggy, drooping skin that is giving the patient a hooded, tired appearance. Below the eyes, the goal is to remove the puffiness and dark circles that are common. Dr. Bedrossian repositions fat in most cases, rather than removing it, as this can leave a hollow appearance. He excises excess tissue and tightens support muscles as needed.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Eyelid Surgery?
If you’ve passed your 40th birthday, odds are you could benefit from eyelid surgery. There simply is no way to stop the slackening of both the skin and support tissues that comes with aging, sun exposure, and habits such as smoking.
Eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure that is popular with both women and men. This is because our aging eyes can make us look older and tired, no matter what our sex. Good candidates have good tone in their facial muscles and elasticity in their skin.
If your upper eyelid skin is sagging to the degree that it is impacting your vision, this surgery could be covered by health insurance, as it is no longer deemed cosmetic.
How Is Laser Blepharoplasty Different? What Are The Benefits?
Dr. Bedrossian utilizes advanced CO2/Erbium laser technology for these procedures. The laser takes the place of a traditional scalpel. It has various advantages:
- Minimized bleeding — As the laser beam makes the incision, it instantly seals the small blood vessels. This reduces bleeding dramatically, which is beneficial for both the patient and for Dr. Bedrossian.
- Reduced scarring — Although scarring is not really an issue with eyelid surgery, the laser makes it even less so. Areas incised with a CO2 laser heal with less wound contraction and scarring due to the reduced amount of myofibroblasts formed along the wound.
- Less swelling, less discomfort — The laser energy seals lymphatics, creating less post-operative swelling and subsequent discomfort.
- Faster recovery — The precision and reduced bleeding and tissue trauma lead to faster initial recovery times.
How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
Dr. Bedrossian performs both upper and lower eyelid procedures, along with what is known as “Asian eyelid surgery.” Here is how each of these is performed. Of course, many patients opt to have both their upper and lower eyelids addressed in a single procedure.
- Upper eyelid surgery — In the upper eyelid, the incision is made in the natural crease of the eyelid, concealing it effectively. Excess skin is removed, fat repositioned or removed, and the underlying muscle tissue tightened.
- Lower eyelid surgery — In the lower eyelid, there are two options for the incision. It can be made just below the lower eyelash or inside the lower eyelid. With the lower eyelid, excess skin is often the culprit and is removed to eliminate puffiness and bags.
- Asian eyelid surgery — Also known as “double eyelid surgery,” Asian eyelid surgery creates an upper eyelid crease in eyelids that are naturally without a crease. Anatomically, there are differences in the upper eyelids of people with Eastern Asian heritage versus those with European or Sub-Saharan heritage. Many Asians, especially those with an East Asian background, are born with eyelids without a distinct crease. If a natural crease of any degree exists, Dr. Bedrossian will use that crease as the basis. There are different methods available to create a double eyelid, and Dr. Bedrossian will weigh the best alternative for you based on your anatomy and aesthetic goals. He’ll discuss your options during your consultation.
Before & After Eyelid Suregry
Will Eyelid Surgery Correct My Crow’s Feet?
Eyelid surgery can improve crow’s feet, but it depends on what is behind them. Their formation at the outside of the eyes is largely genetic. It depends on your facial musculature makeup. By tightening the adjacent skin, eyelid surgery will decrease the appearance of crow’s feet somewhat, but it will not remove them.
To do that, Botox is the answer. Botox was approved by the FDA in 2002 for the treatment of wrinkles on the upper third of the face, the expressive area. Botox works by relaxing muscles, keeping them from contracting. Because muscle contractions are behind your crow’s feet, Botox is the way to erase them.
What Is Recovery Like After Eyelid Surgery?
Recovery from blepharoplasty is not difficult. When you return home after your surgery, Dr. Bedrossian will have covered your eyelids with light gauze. We will provide you with eye lubricant drops and a cold compress. If you’re diligent with the compress, you can minimize bruising and swelling. Pain is not severe and can usually be handled with over-the-counter pain medication. After one week, your stitches will be removed and your eyelid recovery is usually mostly complete. You may have some on again, off again light swelling, but this resolves in a few weeks.
What Are The Risks Involved With Eyelid Surgery?
Dr. Bedrossian has extensive experience with blepharoplasty, but there are risks involved, as with any surgery. They include:
- Infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Dry eye
- Difficulty closing your eyelids
- Injury to eye muscles
- Loss of vision
- Need for revision surgery
- Temporary blurred vision
Those risks are rare. This is a very satisfying procedure for Dr. Bedrossian’s patients. It can have a remarkable rejuvenating effect on the entire face, taking from 10-15 years off the person’s facial age.
Will I Have Visible Scarring From Eyelid Surgery?
The incision for the upper eyelid is made in the natural crease of the eyelid, so it is virtually invisible afterwards. In the lower lid, the incision is made just below the lower eyelash or within the eyelid itself, so scarring is not an issue.
Can Eyelid Surgery Be Combined With Other Procedures?
Of course, many of Dr. Bedrossian’s patients have both lower and upper eyelid surgery performed during a single session. Other patients seek to combine blepharoplasty with a brow lift to rejuvenate the entire upper third of the face. A mid-facelift can be done at the same time, as well. It’s not applicable to have Botox injections at the same time, as the upper third of the face will be prone to swelling, but dermal fillers and laser resurfacing treatments on the lower face could be combined for a broader rejuvenation.
Schedule A Consultation
Dr. Bedrossian, a skilled artist who creates beautiful results, will assess your individual needs and choose the treatment best for you. Call Dr. Bedrossian’s office today to schedule your consultation and see if minimally invasive eyelid surgery is right for you! To learn more about eyelid surgery and schedule your consultation, contact us online or call (610) 789-6565.
