As you age, structural changes in facial skin may cause sagging, thinning and discoloration under and near the eyes. The result is a weary look that can make you appear old beyond your years. Below, the experienced Cleveland-area plastic surgeons of Foglietti Fostyk Plastic Surgery discuss blepharoplasty, a permanent and proven solution.
Youthful Eyes
Time-worn skin around the eyes can be caused by many factors. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sudden weight loss and even allergies can trigger the emergence of this unattractive facial feature. Sometimes the fault lies with your DNA, however: Your genes control how much fat will accumulate under the eyes, how elastic your skin will be as you age and how much volume you will lose in adjacent facial areas.
Using blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, a surgeon can reverse the damage by tightening skin surrounding the eyes, raising drooping eyelids and removing excess tissue. The best candidates for the procedure have sagging skin or fatty tissue on the upper or lower eyelids, bags under the eyes or visible puffiness. This effective outpatient surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both upper and lower lids in the same procedure.
With blepharoplasty, it is important that a surgeon refrain from removing too much skin. Dr. Foglietti and Dr. Fostyk favor a conservative approach, excising an amount that is sufficient to give you a relaxed, optimistic look. When too much skin is removed, the resulting side effects may include dry eyes and difficulty completely closing the eyelids.
Once fat is removed during eyelid surgery, it will never come back. Blepharoplasty does not freeze time, however; you will experience a normal loosening of skin over the next 10 to 20 years.
Available Options
In some cases, Dr. Fostyk and Dr. Foglietti may suggest other options, depending on the nature and location of lines and skin laxity. Brow lift can improve the appearance of sagging skin, crow’s feet, frown lines and deep wrinkles on the forehead, as well as “hooding” of the upper eyelids caused by loose skin. If blepharoplasty and brow lift are not advised, injectables such as Botox can be an effective alternative.
Minimal Scarring
Scars resulting from eyelid surgery are typically minor. Often they are only visible when you close your eyes. When a surgeon makes the upper eyelid incision, it may sometimes also include a small portion of the crow’s feet area. Even here, the resulting mark will be faint. The thin skin of the eyelid is actually less likely to form scars than thicker skin elsewhere on the body.
When fat is removed from the lower eyelid as part of the surgery, the incision is made just beneath the lash line, causing a thin scar that is barely noticeable. Dr. Foglietti and Dr. Fostyk are experienced in the precise placement of incisions, and will provide post-surgical care that promotes optimal healing to minimize scarring.
For more information on blepharoplasty, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Foglietti or Dr. Fostyk by contacting Foglietti Fostyk Plastic Surgery today.
