It’s no secret that some plastic surgery procedures offer more than just cosmetic benefits. Some surgeries can also provide functional benefits, and improve the way a certain part of your face works. When considering a surgery such as blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift, it helps to examine all of the potential benefits of the procedure before making your decision.
More Youthful Appearance
The benefit that might be most commonly associated with blepharoplasty is that it can take years off of your appearance. Depending on the extent of the surgery, it can reduce bags and puffiness beneath the eyes and correct upper eyelids that are droopy and saggy. The procedure involves trimming away any extra fat, muscle or skin in the eye area, which can help make you look more alert and bright-eyed, and younger.
The changes that the procedure can make to the eye area depend on where you have the surgery performed. A lower eyelid lift will usually remove the bags that form beneath the eyes, by trimming away excess skin. The procedure can also involve removing fatty deposits from beneath the eyes, reducing puffiness. A lower eyelid lift can also minimize lines and wrinkles in the area below the eyes.
An upper eyelid lift can minimize any sagging or droopiness that develops when there is an excess amount of skin in the eye area. Removing excess from the upper eyelid will not only widen the eyes, it can also help you look less angry or tired.
Better Vision
While many people decide to have an eyelid lift to improve the appearance of their eye area, some have the procedure for more functional reasons. A condition known as ptosis occurs when a person’s upper lid is positioned lower than it should be and when there is extra skin on the upper eyelid. Ptosis can develop as part of the aging process or it can be a condition a person is born with. It can also develop as a result of injury to the eye area.
Ptosis can make it difficult for a person to see, as the lid blocks the eye. The condition can also cause excess tearing in the eyes and change a person’s appearance, since the lids are droopy. When children are born with ptosis, it can cause them to develop a lazy eye, if it’s not treated. An upper eyelid lift will usually correct the problem by minimize the excess skin and repositioning the lid if needed.
Long Lasting Results
The results from an eyelid lift are usually fairly long lasting. When the procedure is performed to correct vision problems due to ptosis, results are typically permanent.
When it is performed to minimize the signs of aging, results can typically last for around a decade. You’ll keep aging, but the surgery will help turn back the clock when it comes to your appearance. You can also take a number of steps to help improve the duration of your results, such as wearing sunscreen and sunglasses and eating a healthy diet.
Minimal Scarring
One additional benefit of an eyelid lift is that the surgery usually has minimal scarring. When a lower eyelid lift is performed on younger patients, the incision is often made just inside the lid, so that it won’t be visible as it heals and won’t leave a visible scar. If the incision isn’t made inside the lid, it is usually positioned in such a way that any resulting scar will be barely noticeable. For example, during an upper eyelid lift, the surgeon will usually place the incision in the crease of the lid.
Things to Think About Before Blepharoplasty
While eyelid surgery has several benefits, it’s not a procedure to rush into. There are several things to think about before deciding on the surgery. First, consider the amount of recovery time you’ll need after the procedure. Usually, you can expect to take between one and two weeks off from work and to limit certain activities for about a month after surgery.
Your medical history is also something to think about before surgery. Your facial plastic surgeon will most likely ask you for a clean bill of health, which means seeing your primary care doctor for a check-up and having bloodwork and other tests performed. The number of tests you’ll need depends on your age and previous health history.
A consultation with an aging face specialist, such as Dr. Jessica Kulak at the Naderi Center, is a must before considering and preparing for blepharoplasty surgery. Your facial plastic surgeon will review your medical history, examine your eye area, and answer any questions you might have about the surgery before giving you advice on whether it’s right for you or not.
Dr. Kulak practices at the Naderi Center’s two locations, in Virginia and Maryland. For a consultation in Maryland, call (301) 222-2020. For a consultation in Virginia, call (703) 481-0002.
