As a generally upbeat and energetic person, you were a little confused when your friends and coworkers began commenting that you looked tired or angry. Then you started catching glimpses of yourself in mirrors and windows, and you could see it, too — something in your natural resting expression has changed, and it’s making you look like you’re not in the best mood. After a careful investigation of your reflection, you think you’ve identified the culprits: your eyelids. They’ve started drooping down, making your brow look heavy and your eyes look as though they aren’t fully open. You rush to the drugstore and spend a small fortune on every product that claims to revitalize the eyes, but after a while, you have to admit that the creams and serums aren’t making much of a difference.
You’re probably feeling frustrated, and maybe a little saddened. You don’t feel old, but you know you’re not young anymore — are you going to have to live with looking sleepy or moody for the rest of your life? You’ve heard there’s a surgical option, but are you young enough to heal from eyelid surgery, or are you past the point where an eyelid lift will even be worth it?
The expert surgeons at the Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Centers of El Paso know that any plastic surgery can be “worth it” at any point in your life. We see so many clients who have been unhappy with their appearance once again feel beautiful and confident after an eyelid lift. While these procedures won’t stop the clock, they can make you feel good about yourself as you grow older — and they can make a difference at any age.
The Ideal Eyelid Lift Patient
An eyelid lift, also called eyelid surgery or an upper blepharoplasty, is a very specific procedure. It is designed to remove a small amount of skin from the upper eyelid to reduce drooping and sagging. It provides patients with a more alert and cheerful appearance by improving the openness of the eye.
Aging is the most common reason that eyelid skin begins to droop and sag. As we grow older, the structures in our skin that keep it taut and bouncy break down and don’t repair themselves as quickly. You’ll see fine lines and wrinkles forming as your skin loses this underlying framework. The skin also becomes less plump as small pockets of fat migrate or shrink, which leads to volume loss and sagging. Around the eyes, this wrinkling and sagging can form extra folds that weigh down the upper eyelids. If you’re aiming to remove these extra folds to restore a more natural eyelid appearance, you are likely an ideal candidate for an eyelid lift.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the vast majority — roughly 91% — of eyelid surgery patients are over 40, and more than half of that 91% is over 55. A number of people in their 20s and 30s also choose to have a blepharoplasty if they have eyelids that are naturally very hooded, but this is much less common than seeking the surgery due to signs of aging. While there are some people who should not undergo surgeries like blepharoplasty due to heightened risks that come with advanced age, this surgery is otherwise appropriate for a wide range of individuals at many stages of life. The question is less of the ideal age to undergo eyelid surgery, and more of the ideal age for you. If you are comfortable with the prospect of surgery and you know that it will improve your quality of life, the time is likely right for you to have a blepharoplasty.
How Blepharoplasty Works
Blepharoplasty is more simply known as eyelid surgery, and an eyelid lift focuses on the upper eyelid in particular. But a blepharoplasty can address the lower eyelid, as well — typically, it is used to correct puffy under-eye bags that occur when pockets of fat below the eyelids drop down. Patients can choose an upper blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift; they can choose a lower blepharoplasty; or they can choose a combined blepharoplasty, which addresses both upper and lower eyelid concerns.
In an upper blepharoplasty, your surgeon creates precise incisions in the skin of your upper eyelids. They will cut away excess, loose eyelid skin and suture the incisions together so that when you are healed, your scars will be hidden within the natural folds of your eyelids. Removing this loose skin allows your eyelids to remain more open when your face is in a normal, relaxed expression.
During a lower blepharoplasty, your surgeon creates similar incisions in your under eye area and removes or repositions the pockets of fat that cause bags. Just like upper blepharoplasty, the resulting scars will be very small and will easily be hidden below your eyes. You’ll see immediate and noticeable improvement in under eye puffiness that will help you look less tired and generally more youthful.
What to Expect from Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty recovery usually requires taking a week or two away from work. Your eyes will be swollen, and there may be some visible bruising in the area. After seven to ten days, this should mostly be back to normal, and you will feel comfortable going out in public or using makeup to cover any residual discoloration.
Once all the swelling has subsided, you will be able to see your results right away. The difference will be noticeable but subtle — people won’t be able to tell that you’ve “had work done,” but they may comment that you look like you’ve been sleeping well or eating right. You’ll need to continue caring for your eyelids, particularly the scars, to ensure they heal well and aren’t puffy or red. Our surgeons will provide you with detailed recovery instructions so you know how to best care for yourself as you recover.
Don’t resign yourself to an appearance that doesn’t make you happy. No matter where you are in life, you should be able to feel happy with yourself and how you look. If your eyelids make you look older than you feel, schedule a consultation in El Paso, Texas with one of our expert surgeons. Contact the Plastic Surgery and Laser Centers of El Paso today — you can reach our West El Paso office at 915-543-5600 or our East El Paso location at 915-855-7800.
