Is Blepharoplasty on Your Radar?
The face is an expressive part of the body. It gets attention for the emotion that it demonstrates, even when we aren’t trying. Many people realize that the face is a feature that we “read” to gain information about one another. The information that is gained has a lot to do with the shape of the mouth and the expression of the eyes. Aging changes both. As the skin on the upper and lower eyelids loses resiliency and firmness, the eyes don’t just look older but they can also look unfriendly or angry. Blepharoplasty is a procedure commonly performed to correct these problems and revive the friendly vibe of the face. If blepharoplasty is on your radar, you may have common questions that we’ll try to answer here.
The Best Age for Blepharoplasty
Many patients ask if they are the right age for blepharoplasty. We do not determine candidacy for eyelid rejuvenation based on biological age. What is much more relevant is how the skin has aged. A person who is in their forties who has sustained a moderate amount of sun damage around the eyes, for example, may be just as good a candidate for blepharoplasty as a sixty-year-old who has shielded their skin behind sunglasses and hats all their life. Statistics suggest that younger patients often undergo blepharoplasty as a sole procedure, whereas older patients include blepharoplasty into a broader treatment plan that addresses the signs of aging around the eyes as well as across the mid and lower face.
Blepharoplasty Scars
Although blepharoplasty is performed to improve the appearance of the eyes as a whole, there is the matter of scars to consider. Fortunately, lower blepharoplasty does not incur visible scars due to the internal location of incisions. Upper blepharoplasty incisions are located in the natural crease of the lid. Here, resulting scars are only visible when the eyes are closed. Furthermore, because the skin here is so thin, scarring is typically so minor that it is only visible when observed very up close. Basically, no one should see blepharoplasty scars unless they are looking for them.
Are the Eyelids the Only Problem?
Sagging, heavy upper eyelids are a problem that can fatigue the face. Because the eyelids themselves look hooded, it is reasonable to assume this is the ideal area for correction. This isn’t always the case. Sometimes, the upper eyelids become hooded because the tissue is being compressed by the skin and muscles of the forehead and brow area. If you have deep crow’s feet and sagging skin at the outer edges of your eyes, you may be a candidate for a brow lift. This procedure can be performed independently or in combination with blepharoplasty to achieve beautiful, natural-looking results.
We enjoy helping our patients feel like their best selves. To learn more about blepharoplasty eyelid rejuvenation, call our Bryn Mawr office at 610.527.4833.
