When the signs of aging show up around the eyes, you might start hearing that you look tired, sad, or even angry. The eyes are an essential part of many of our facial expressions, so changes in this area can change your overall appearance easily. Fortunately, there are two facial plastic surgeries designed to lighten up this important area of the face, relieving it of sagging skin, wrinkles, and fatty deposits. Eliminate puffy eyes, deep forehead creases and more with a complete eye rejuvenation surgery.
Part One: The Brow lift Procedure
When your eyebrows are starting to sink a little lower, hovering about your eyes, this is a sign that gravity is taking its toll on the upper portion of your face. Eyebrow sagging can worsen with time, with some patients even complaining that their vision has become blocked. Avoiding this extreme circumstance is easy if you know how to handle it. A brow lift surgery is the perfect way to correct sagging brows and relieve some of the signs of aging as well.
A brow lift, or forehead lift, will restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance to the upper area of your face. It is a procedure designed to lift and smooth the tissues of the forehead and brow, eliminating lines and wrinkles as it does so. A brow lift is an outpatient procedure, typically performed under IV or twilight anesthesia and lasting one to two hours. There are two approaches that may be used for your brow lift: the coronal and the endoscopic.
With a coronal brow lift, an incision is made within the hairline from ear to ear along the scalp. The muscles and tissues will be manipulated as needed, with the excess skin trimmed away from the incisions once they are closed. Any remaining tissue is anchored in place with sutures to keep the forehead smooth and lifted. With an endoscopic brow lift, a series of very small incisions are placed within the scalp and a small camera or endoscope is inserted to provide the surgeon with a view of the muscles and tissues. The gripping muscles are loosened, excess tissue is removed, and the remaining skin is lifted. Endoscopic brow lift procedures tend to have a shorter and easier recovery period. A brow lift can be performed on its own or in tandem with other procedures, such as blepharoplasty.
Part Two: The Eyelid Lift Surgery
Some patients experience more localized sagging near the eyes, especially in the upper and lower eyelids. As elasticity in the skin lessens with age, gravity starts to work against this delicate area of the face, causing skin to droop. In some cases, the upper eyelids droop low enough to block a patient’s vision. Even in mild cases, saggy lids can make it difficult to apply makeup or wear glasses. They can also make you look sad or tired all the time.
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift surgery, is a procedure designed to bring relief to the sagging, loose skin of the eye area. An upper eyelid procedure can be performed to address stretched, lax skin that folds and creases. It can also remove fatty tissue that has collected in the eyelid, making it look puffy. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia and IV sedation and begins with an incision along the natural crease of the upper lid. Fat, skin, and muscle will be removed from this area as needed to restore the flatter, smoother look to the upper eyelid.
Lower lid blepharoplasty can also be performed if required, although it is somewhat different to the upper lid procedure. This version of the procedure is designed to address the bags that form beneath the eyes, whether from age or heredity. Fat can be removed to alleviate puffiness or redistributed to restore hollow, sunken eyes. Your facial plastic surgeon will be able to advise the proper approach for your lower eyelid procedure during your one-on-one consultation.
Why Choose Both Procedures?
Obviously, either procedure can easily be performed without the other at any time. Under the right circumstances, however, patients will see their best results when they combine two procedures that address all of their concerns at once. If the signs of aging have really been weighing down on your eyes, from the forehead on down, then choosing only one surgery might solve half your problem. Opting for a brow lift without a blepharoplasty, for example, might leave your forehead looking smooth but draw extra attention to your sagging eyelids, now made more visible that your brow is lifted! The best way to design your own surgical approach is with the advice of an experienced facial plastic surgeon who can make customized recommendations based on your own concerns.
Opting for two surgeries in one procedure offers benefits to you as the patient. Not only will you be able to piggy-back your recoveries into one window of downtime, you can save time by cutting two surgical visits down to one. While your results will more than double from a tandem procedure, your risks and your recovery certainly won’t. Your facial plastic surgeon will walk you through all of the things you can expect from each procedure during your consultation so you can have an accurate expectation for the entire process.
Plan for One or Both Today
The best way to understand the unique needs of your forehead, brow, and eyes is to consult with an experienced surgeon.Visit Renu Med Spa and Plastic Surgery to speak with founder and Medical Director Dr. Philip Schoenfeld, a board certified facial plastic surgeon with experience in anti-aging treatments and other surgical procedures. He takes a keen interest in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, having practiced in Washington, DC, since 1994. A proven track record for excellence and a personal dedication to excellence and aesthetics have earned him a significant reputation among his peers. He was voted one of America’s Top Doctors in 2013 by Castle Connolly. Contact Renu Med Spa and Plastic Surgery, located at 5454 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1625 in Chevy Chase, Maryland, by calling (301) 652- 7368 (RENU). Book your appointment with Dr. Schoenfeld today.