Dark circles, puffy eyelids, bags and Zoom fatigue and no, we are not attacking you personally! These are all the classic WFH elements that most of us would pay hundreds of dollars to be rid of. And yet, there is only so much that the eye creams and the serums can do. Eyelid problems are some of the most common appearance related issues that men and women face today. Tired, puffy eyes make you look older than you are and make you look constantly tired even when you’re enjoying an ice cream on a bright sunny day. This is the reason why many women and men are now going for eyelid surgeries which do not require a lot of downtime, but yield results that will transform how your face and your life too. Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery gives a refreshed, alert look to the eyes which no amount of eye creams can help achieve. This is because the results from this kind of surgery are long term!
There are several factors besides constant video calling and online meetings which add to your eyelid woes. Sun damage, aging, obesity, constant stretching of eyelids due to stress are all factors that contribute to the drooping and sagging of your eyelids. Add to it, the fact that the skin around our eyelids is thinner than the rest of our face and show signs of aging before any of our other features.
Eyelid surgery happens to be one of the most popular cosmetic procedures amongst both men and women. This is because it helps tighten the skin and tissue around the eyes. It is also performed to remove excess fat from under the eyelids that might be causing the puffiness which you experience as you wake up in the morning and especially after a long day in front of the screen. The cumulative effect of tightened and lighter skin around the eyes makes them look alert, refreshed and younger. As eyes happen to be the most defining features of our face, an eyelid surgery can transform your entire face.
You are a candidate for blepharoplasty…
If you have puffy bags, dark circles or sagging skin developing around your eyes. When we are young, such problems do not cause us a lot of stress precisely because we have greater collagen production in the skin. Collagen is the substance produced in our bodies that helps keep the skin firm. But as we age, which is often coupled with diet and lifestyle issues, our eyelids take the worst hit. Blepharoplasty is for all those who want to reduce these unwanted effects of aging and sun damage. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want to look fresh like morning dew when they wake up?
The Eyelid Surgery Procedure
Contrary to popular perception though, eyelid surgeries are not very simple procedures. According to Dr. Joel Kopelman, who is a leading oculoplastic surgeon in New York City, “eyelids are made up of different layers – skin, bone, fat and even muscles. Aging can occur in any of those layers. That is why off-the shelf eye creams do not work for more than a few days. Because these eye creams only scratch the surface (quite literally!).”
Depending on the type of problem and its location such as dark circles under lower lids, your doctor may recommend the surgical procedure to be performed either on the upper or lower eyelids, or both. The actual procedure may take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. But it is important for you to have a long chat with your doctor before the surgery as it helps them understand what you really want for your eyes, what are your goals for your facial skin and what to expect from the surgery.
If the upper eyelid is being treated, doctors can choose to use techniques like laser, electric needle or blade to uplift the hollowed out part and reduce puffiness. This brings back the fullness to the eyes and gives them a refreshed look.
In most cases of upper eyelid surgery, a small incision is made along the natural crease of the upper eyelid. Using this incision, your doctor may tighten muscles, remove excess skin that sags and reposition the fat pad under the lids. The tightening of the muscles brings a fresh, youthful appeal to your eyes while the repositioned fat pads add volume.
In the case of the lower eyelid, Dr. Kopelman says that “bagginess under the eyes can come from loose eye muscles or the extra skin around the eyes which festoons into layers.” Dark eye circles are also a very real problem for many of us staring constantly at our screens. The outer skin under your eyes can get darkened because it could be thinner. Or it can also come from the color of the underlying eye muscles. These can get darkened over time by stress, sun damage, lack of sleep and other irritants.
For the lower eyelid, often an incision is made just below the lash line. Through this procedure, excess skin which adds to the puffiness and under eye bags can be removed. Sometimes, the skin under our lower eyelid can also get hollow because of aging. In such cases, adding small amounts of fat to the lower eyelid helps to add a natural volume to it and gives it a youthful lift. Fat is usually taken from the patient’s own body, which is best suited to be used in eyelid surgeries.
Recovery From Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is a popular procedure amongst men and women because it gives good results- a rejuvenated, alert and youthful appearance with little downtime needed. It sounds positively utopian but it’s true! You will be able to return to work within two days of the surgery. But your doctor will advise you to avoid any kind of strenuous activity for the next two weeks. Swelling and other side effects will be there but do not be scared as these would subside within two weeks. Your eyelid surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for your eyes post surgery. This usually depends on the type of procedure performed by your doctor.
But as much as blepharoplasty may prove to be a long term solution for your perpetual bursting into dark circles and puffiness, it is also important to have realistic expectations from this surgery. While this procedure can enhance your appearance, give you a refreshed look but it cannot change your entire appearance. Yet any derm specialist would agree that that eyes being the defining feature of your face, a blepharoplasty by restoring their naturally fresh look gives you an appeal which goes beyond the ‘too much work done’ look!
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