Eyelid Surgery — When Creams And Lotions Just Don’t Work
You’ve tried creams, lotions and other non-invasive treatments and even injections to avoid eyelid surgery, yet the results boasted of in the ads and infomercials just haven’t lived up to their promise. By now, you are probably contemplating about the pros and cons of getting eyelid surgery to fix your problem. Thanks to the internet, more and more consumers are able to post their opinions about such creams and the often medically impossible things they promise. And nowadays, people also have instant access to information and are able to research and share their own experiences with solutions that have worked for them—including important procedures such as eyelid surgery. To gain a better understanding of eyelid surgery and why it’s probably the right choice for you, we’ve listed down some important information that will help you in your decision.
When Should You Get Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid Surgery for Hooded Eyes
Hooded eyes are a result of excess skin that droops over and covers the eyelid, causing the eyes to look heavy and tired. Hooded eyes can be a hassle for women who enjoy working out, because the combination of sweat plus the skin of the excess eyelids rubbing can cause irritation. Oftentimes, hooded eyelids also make it difficult for many women to apply makeup.
Eyelid Hooding Causes
Heredity — Your hooded eyes may be a trait that runs in your family.
Age — As we get older, the skin around the eyes and the folds over our upper eyelids tends to weaken and become thinner. For many people, this leads to the eyebrows drooping and skin hanging over the eyes, thus obstructing their vision.
Ethnic background — Asians and African Americans, as well as Indians and people of Latin descent, can have hooded eyelid appearance or “hooded lids”. The desire to create a natural crease in the eyelid or eyelid fold is common in the field of plastic surgery for the eyes. Learn more about Asian Eyelid Surgery.
Allergies — Swelling from allergies and frequent rubbing of your eyes can cause damage to the skin, making it less elastic and more wrinkled over time, resulting in eyes which make you look older than you actually are.
Sun exposure — Ultraviolet light, in particular UVA light, causes a process called “photo-aging” which results in the speeding up the aging process of the skin. Sun damaged skin is the result of a breakdown in collagen which is the supporting structure of the skin.
Smoking — Smoking deprives the skin of oxygen, generates harmful molecules called “free radicals”, and promotes poor circulation. Free radicals damage blood vessels and collagen that supports the skin and gives it its youthful glow and elasticity.
Eyelid Surgery for Puffy Eyes and Under Eye Bags
Puffy-looking eyes and pronounced under eye bags, which remain visible despite sufficient sleep and/or appropriate allergy treatment, is due to orbital fat. When we age, the fat around our eyes, called “orbital fat” prolapses into the space that the eye sits, also known as the orbit. Oftentimes, this fat will sag and become displaced due to the natural aging process of the face, thus making us look like we have puffy bags under our eyes.
This prolapsed fat may be removed, sculpted and reduced through one of two commonly used ways: (1) the transcutaneous method (external), or (2) the transconjunctival method (internal).
Over the years, under eye bags have been approached by a majority of practitioners through an external incision. In the external approach, an incision is made directly below the eyelashes. The skin is then lifted, after which the surgeon must go through the orbicularis oculi muscle to get to the fat pads. Dr. Prasad, however, prefers the latter internal approach, also known as “transconjunctival blepharoplasty”, as it leaves no outside scars and retains the natural shape of the eye. This decision, however, will ultimately be decided by the patient’s age, ethnicity, and overall health condition.
What is the Best Treatment for Bags Under Your Eyes?
How Eye Bag Surgery Achieves A Lasting Natural Look for Young People
Eyelid Surgery Recovery: How You Can Return to Work in a Week or Less
Eye Surgery for Drooping Eyelids
Drooping eyelids are caused by more than just excess skin. It can be a combination of a few different factors such as:
Loose Skin — Generally, as we get older, the skin gets thinner and more loose. In addition to that, as the fat in our cheeks diminish and become more hollow, the eyelid skin can appear to look even more loose, almost to a point where they look like they are hanging.
Lower Eyelid Support Becomes Weak — Lower eyelid support is complicated and underappreciated by many plastic surgeons. The lower eyelid support is a combination of muscle (orbicularis oculi), tendon (lateral canthal tendon) and anatomy such as prominence (deep set or bulging) of the eyes. Arguably, a significant reason for hollow eyes, dry eyes, rounded under eyes and general dissatisfaction after lower eyelid surgery is due to plastic surgeons (Board-certified plastic surgeons) not properly addressing the weakening of lower eyelid support, which thus leads to poor results. Properly supporting the lower eyelids requires several different specialized techniques, experience and finesse—something which is often neglected by other surgeons.
Upper Eyelid Support Becomes Weak — Drooping eyes can also be caused by the weakening of the levator muscle in the upper eyelid. The levator muscle is responsible for opening the eyelid, and when that particular muscle becomes thin or stretched as we age, it will lead to droopy eyelids.
What Causes Droopy Eyelids as You Age?
Choosing The Best Surgeon for Eyelid Surgery
As a Oculofacial plastic surgeon performing eyelid surgery for more than 20 years, Dr. Amiya Prasad, M.D. is extremely qualified to deliver the best possible results in his state-of-the-art, Joint Commission-certified operating facilities. Dr. Prasad’s reputation for attentive one-to-one patient care and his artistic approach to eye surgery has distinguished himself as one of the best plastic surgeons for eyes in Manhattan and Long Island, with clients coming to see him from around the world.
Contact us to schedule an eyelid rejuvenation consultation. Let us help you to regain a natural and youthful appearance so you can look your best! Our staff would be happy to assist you with hotel accommodations and travel arrangements in New York City or Garden City, New York, if needed. Please note, that several members of our staff are fluent in Spanish, should this be desired.