What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is an operation that sculpts and contours the upper and lower eyelids and makes the entire eye area look younger.
When performed appropriately with. surgeries that may also address the brows and the cheeks, this procedure lasts a lifetime. But we see many patients who are unsatisfied with their original surgery—it seems that there is a bit of excess upper eyelid skin even soon after their original surgery, or a hollowness that develops with puffs in the lower eyelids after surgery that initially was successful.
How Long Does Blepharoplasty Last?
Patients often come to us who have had more than one blepharoplasty and are still unhappy with the results. The majority of the time this has occurred because the patient has had a blepharoplasty without addressing the brows or the cheeks.
For example, when an upper eyelid blepharoplasty is performed, the brow has nowhere to go except downwards. The skin removal affects the closure of the eye, and the brow needs to be in a lower position in order to allow the eyelids to close all the way. This lower position creates a skin excess in the upper eyelids which patients often call residual skin excess and for this they often seek a second blepharoplasty. To address this (so called) need for a second procedure, instead of removing more upper eyelid skin, we generally suggest a brow lift – elevating the brows through an invisible hairline incision – if enough skin has been left from the original procedure.
In the same way in the lower eyelids, after successful blepharoplasty of the lower lids, puffs can recur after 5 to 10 years especially in the outer aspects of the lower eyelids unless the cheeks are address with a cheek lift or a midface lift. The cheeks, unless addressed, continue to sag and the disparity creates a long, hollow lower eyelid. This can be addressed with fat, fillers or with lifting surgery.
How Many Times Can You Have Blepharoplasty?
In our practice, as a rule, our patients have a blepharoplasty only once, but we see. patients continually who have undergone blepharoplasty elsewhere and are unsatisfied. This is because these adjacent areas – the cheek, the temples, and the eyebrows have not been addressed. Sagging of these adjacent areas effects the appearance of the eyes. Once we address them – results can last a lifetime.
Before & After Blepharoplasty Photos
Are There Any Ways to Extend Results From Eyelid Surgery?
Eat healthy
A healthy diet is extremely helpful. It has been shown that the significantly refined carbohydrates in sugars tend to make the skin age. We develop what’s called advanced glycosylation end products in the skin which cause oxidative stress and make the skin lose its elasticity.
Protect, hydrate, and nourish your skin
Using moisturizers that have hyaluronic acid and possibly vitamin C and Retin-A promote skin health. Daily sunscreen use is important to prevent the skin from developing associated changes such as sun spots, thinning, and abnormal blood vessels. In our office, we recommend the following protective and nutrient sken care regimens:
Protect:
W Skin Studio TM has many options of mineral sunscreens with varying textures and formulas. WSkin Physical Sun Shield is a great option for those who prefer a light weight and tinted SPF. ELTA MD SPF is always a safe choice for patients with sensitive, acneic or rosacea prone skin. We also carry 2-in-1 sunscreens containing moisturizer for those who prefer a minimal routine.
Hydrate:
WSkin Oil Free Moisturizer is recommend for normal to oily skin types and those prone to breakouts. WSkin Moisture Recovery provides maximum hydration for
patients with dry skin. WSkin HA Peptide Gel, contains 30% Hyaluronic Acid, and is our preference for under the eyes. This gel is suitable for anyone, whether you have dry skin and apply this under moisturizer for additional hydration, or if you have combo/oily skin and prefer a light weight moisturizer.
Nourish:
To supply nutrients to the skin, we recommend incorporating growth factors and antioxidants to your daily skin care routine. WSkin Vita-C Reversal Serum is a potent mix of vitamins C & E as well as ferulic acid. WSkin 3-in-1 Serum contains green tea extract, resveratrol and caffeine to deliver nutrients while reducing inflammation. WSkin Dermal Renewal Cream, also a W favorite, is our plant based growth factor cream that improves skin texture, tightness, evens skin tone and promotes new collagen growth.
These products are all available in our office. If you have had blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery elsewhere) and are interested in learning more about what to do to preserve or enhance your result, please schedule a free skin care consultation in our office today.
Schedule a Consultation for Blepharoplasty Today
In our practice, we have performed thousands of blepharoplasty surgeries successfully. Schedule a consult for your blepharoplasty today and we will come up with a plan that is customized to your specific needs and desires.
