What is it that causes some lucky folks to look refreshed whether they’ve just pulled and all-nighter or emerged from a relaxing weekend at the spa? Sometimes it’s all in the eyes.
Research studies have demonstrated what most of us already know. The focal point of your face is the eyes. Most facial plastic surgery efforts are not done to make one particular feature of the face attractive, but rather to improve facial harmony. Facial harmony draws all the attention back to your eyes. So what to do when the eyes are heavy?
Droopy upper eyelids
It’s best to think of the upper and lower eyelids separately. The upper eyelids will add to a tired appearance if the skin is drooping or ‘hooded’. This is called dermatochalasia. The excess skin can even block vision if the hooding is severe. No amount of Botox or skin cream will fix this issue. So what to do? A blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) removes this excess skin. Removing the excess skin can brighten the appearance of the eyes and can improve vision if it was blocked by skin hooding. The procedure can be done in as little as 30 minutes with minimal risk in the right hands. The incision is well hidden if you have an upper eyelid crease and down time is minimal.
Bags under the eyes
The lower eyelids can be a trickier problem to tackle. As we’ve talked about before, sunscreen and skin care are critical here, but when that is no longer enough, a lower blepharoplasty (lower eyelid surgery) may help. A lower blepharoplasty is somewhat more complex than an upper blepharoplasty. The reason for this is because bags under the eye can be the result of several different issues. Usually the culprit is fat beneath the eyelid that begins to sag with age. This fat can be positioned back into a more youthful place with surgery. In some cases, filler can help smooth out following around the eyes.
Brow lifting vs eyelid lifting
The eyelid skin is the thinnest skin in the body. This makes it delicate and even more critical that if you decide to undergo a procedure that you do your research and see an experienced surgeon. Many patients who have droopy eyelids also have a drooping brow. In this case a brow lift alone may be enough to solve the issue. In other cases a brow lift and upper eyelid lift are done at the same time.
Dry eyes.
If you have dry eyes or are heavily reliant on eye drops to get through the day, you may not be a good candidate for eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery can make dry eye symptoms worse.
Sleep
Most importantly be sure to get good sleep. Puffy or tired eyes from lack of sleep can and should only be treated with making sure you get some much deserved rest!
Roxana Moayer, MD is a facial plastic and microvascular reconstructive surgeon. Her clinical specialties include treatment of facial nerve disorders and synkinesis, facelift and neck lift, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, brow lift, cosmetic facial skin treatments including microneedling and PRP, facial reconstruction (following trauma and cancer), hair restoration, facial feminization, and otoplasty. She is dedicated to helping patients look like the best version of themselves, driven by a strong belief that such work is inextricably linked to their self-confidence and overall health. Her attention to detail and aesthetic eye, paired with advanced training in cutting-edge techniques, allows her to deliver reliable, safe and natural-looking results.
After completing her medical doctorate at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Dr. Moayer continued to the University of California, Los Angeles to complete her internship and residency. From there, she moved to Philadelphia for an additional year of training at one of the highest volume, AAFPRS-accredited fellowship training programs in the country, Jefferson Facial Plastics. She is currently an assistant professor on faculty at the Keck School of Medicine in the Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery.
Dr. Moayer is also involved in the Face-To-Face program, an organization affiliated with The Break the Silence Foundation against domestic violence that provides plastic surgery treatment for survivors of domestic abuse.