Blepharoplasty: Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery. Drooping eyelids can make the face look aged and tired. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, or general anesthesia when combined with other surgical procedures. Indeed, this procedure is often performed as part of a more comprehensive rejuvenation procedure that includes a facelift. It can also be combined with an upper lip lift. The surgeon will remove skin and fat or make changes to tighten the skin. The procedure is performed on both men and women.
It treats the following problems:
Drooping upper eyelid, obstructed vision, drooping eyelids, excess skin,
Drooping, sagging, wrinkled lower eyelids,
Bags under the eyes, purple circles, fat herniations,
Chalazion, ectropion (everted eyelid), entropion, eyelid problems,
Tired, sad face.
3 main causes:
Age:
The older we get, the more our skin sags, and this also applies to the eyelids.
Genetics:
Some people have eyelid problems at a young age because they inherited genes from their parents that make their eyelids too large, too small, or asymmetrical.
Accidents or invasive surgeries (tumor removal, etc.):
These cases are rare.
A successful blepharoplasty can open the eyes, make you look younger and less tired.
Plexr or Plasma Excision
Plexr allows for blepharoplasty without surgery or incisions. It involves a pen with a needle that is brought close to the skin and delivers a discharge (plasma arc) that shrinks the skin without burning it. This technique can treat drooping eyelids but not bags under the eyes (the problem is located under the skin). A session lasts 20 to 30 minutes and does not require hospitalization. The procedure leaves a slight swelling and small scabs that disappear quickly.
Laser
Laser is used to treat drooping eyelids. It avoids surgery. However, it will not tighten large amounts of skin. The highly localized laser pulses will shrink the skin. This also reduces wrinkles. This technique is not effective for dark circles.
Blepharoplasty when you’re young
For genetic and hereditary reasons, some people experience drooping eyelids and bags under their eyes relatively early (at age 20 or even sometimes from childhood). If this poses a problem (loss of self-confidence, etc.), surgery can be performed to lift the upper eyelid and reduce dark circles.
Scars
For upper eyelid surgery, the scar is hidden in the eyelid crease. It is very discreet, but it must be protected from the sun by wearing full-coverage sunglasses for a while.
For lower eyelid surgery, the scar will depend on the surgery and the surgeon’s technique. It will be located on the inside of the eyelid (completely invisible) for bag-removing operations or minor blepharoplasties. In other cases, there is a horizontal scar 1 or 2 mm from the edge of the eyelid (under the eyelashes). It runs in the direction of the eyelid and is therefore not very visible. It allows the surgeon to remove a significant amount of excess skin.
Edema
Eyelid surgery always creates swelling, to a greater or lesser extent. It resolves completely within 2 to 15 days.
Complications
As with any surgical procedure, complications are possible (bruising, infections, cysts, irritated eyes, etc.). Don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon about these complications depending on the procedure you are considering.
Results
Blepharoplasty offers significant results. It is relatively simple, and the results are visible almost immediately. It is important to perform a simulation beforehand and show it to the surgeon so that he or she can confirm whether the desired results are achievable. While the surgery achieves beautiful results, you shouldn’t expect miracles. Don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon for before and after photos to form your own opinion.
After the operation, the first results are visible after one to two weeks. It’s important to massage your eyelids with the cream prescribed by your surgeon to soften them and speed healing. The results are then permanent after three to six months.
