The face is not just the first-impression zone of the body, it is the area from which our feelings express. People naturally read faces without much thought at all. We look at the mouth and notice if its corners turn up or down. We look at the eyes for signs of livelihood and friendliness. When we don’t find them, we may develop the wrong impression about a person. What if that person is you? If the signs of aging have developed on your upper or lower eyelids, you may benefit from blepharoplasty. This procedure has become one of the leading forms of facial rejuvenation for good reasons. Here, we discuss a few aspects of this procedure to help you determine if it is right for you at this time.
The Right Age for Blepharoplasty
People often wonder if they are the “right age” for a certain procedure. This is especially relevant for people considering some type of lift. Blepharoplasty is an eyelid lift that reshapes the upper eyelids or smooths the lower eyelids, so it may be assumed that this procedure is for older patients. Some of the youngest patients who have undergone blepharoplasty are in their thirties. We must say, though, that these cases are largely related to anatomical corrections rather than age-related corrections. To address the signs of aging on the upper or lower eyelids, it is not necessary to have a certain number of candles on your birthday cake. What your surgeon will observe is the condition of your skin. If your eyelids are hooded, saggy, puffy, or baggy, you are the “right age” for blepharoplasty.
Are the Eyelids the Real Problem?
In addition to evaluating the skin and tissue on the eyelids, a surgeon will also look at the outer corners of the eyelids and the brow line. This is done to determine if the forehead is part of the problem, too. Some people have heavy, hooded upper eyelids because their brow line sits low over the upper orbital rim. The drooping of this tissue places weight on the upper eyelids, making them look older. In some cases, a brow lift alone can correct the problem. When necessary, a brow lift can be combined with blepharoplasty to achieve the best and longest-lasting results.
Blepharoplasty Scars
Scarring is an inevitable aspect of surgery. Because the eyes are such a prominent part of the face, scarring can be a concern for blepharoplasty patients. It doesn’t have to be. Scarring severity usually correlates to skin thickness. The skin on the eyelids is so thin that incision scarring tends to fade away nearly completely. To see the scars from incisions made in the natural crease of the upper eyelid, one would have to be very close to the face, looking at closed eyes for signs of scarring. Our guess is that not many people would do this.
Blepharoplasty is a brief procedure that provides lasting improvement. To learn more, call our Miami office at 305.279.4700.
