How to Address Aging Eyes
Your eyes are the window to the soul… right? We’re sure you’ve heard that before, but eyes are a defining feature of our faces and a major player in how we express ourselves. As we age, skin loses its natural elasticity and fat shifts and falls, especially in the face. This can lead to complaints of droopy eyes, puffiness, sagging, and more. In the plastic surgery world, there are a few fixes for cosmetic issues with the eye area. Let’s break down a few of the most common!
Consider Botulinum Toxin for Crows Feet
Crow’s feet, the lines extending out from the outer corner of the eye toward the temple, develop during the aging process. Some people will naturally have more or less aggressive Crow’s Feet based on factors like genetics, how they tend to express emotions with their, and how the skin was cared for over the years. Damage from ultraviolet light compounded with repeated contractions of the muscles on the outside of each eye contribute to the development of these specific wrinkles. Injection with B-tox in these areas can help smooth these lines. The thinking here is the less frequently and severely the muscles contract, the less often and harshly the skin becomes wrinkled. It is also important to combine this with a good skin care regime, like ZO, and sunscreen to improve the overall look of the area.
Consider Filler or Fat Transfer for Hallows or Dark Under Eye Circles
Your dark circles aren’t just from your lack of sleep. The development of tear trough deformity, or dark areas on the medial side of their lower eyelid, is a depression that develops during aging from loss of volume in this area.
To restore a more youthful volume, dark areas and hallows under the eye can be improved using hyaluronic acid (HA) filler or autologous fat grafting (AFG). The benefit of using an injectable filler includes shorten procedure time, possibly decreased downtime, and impermanence. However, some view impermanence as a downside, especially if they enjoy the results. Another downside of HA filler use can be Tindal (blue hue) effect beneath skin when the filler has been injected.
Some patients prefer a more permanent treatment option for their dark circles. The benefits of using AFG, where we harvest and transfer your own fat tissue to the area, include using your own tissue, some tissue being removed via liposuction from a less desired area during the harvesting process, and permeance. Some potential downsides might include longer procedure time, possibly increased downtown, permanent, volume may change with weight changes.
Consider a Blepharoplasty for Puffiness or Drooping Eyelids
As one ages, the skin elasticity decreases and droops over the upper eyelids. Sometimes, the extra skin over the eyelids may come from the decent of the eyebrow. It may be a combination of the decreased elasticity of both areas. An upper blepharoplasty, or upper bleph, removes the excess skin overhanging your upper eyelid. For some patients, fat is removed from the medial portion of the upper lid to decrease fullness as well. This provides a crisper transition between the skin over eyelid and the skin beneath the eyebrow when one’s eyes are open. This procedure can be done comfortably in office without general anesthesia. After an upper blepharoplasty, most of the bruising usually resolves in 7-10 days and sutures are removed between 5 and 7 days. The majority of the swelling resolves over one to two weeks and it will continue improve over 4 -6 weeks. In some cases, this procedure is considered reconstructive in nature and may be covered by insurance.
Lower eyelid aging is characterized by the development of deepening tear troughs, herniation of fat or pooching of lower lids, and/or loose skin. The muscle and ligaments have decreased elasticity as one ages which contributes to the overhanging of the lower eyelid skin. Lower blepharoplasty, or lower bleph, usually removes excess skin, releases a ligament to smooth the transition between the lower lid and cheek, and repositions fit to smooth the lower eyelid. Most of the post-operative bruising usually resolves in 7-10 days. Sutures are removed between 5 and 7 days. The majority of the swelling will resolve over 7-14 days and it will continue improve over 4 -6 weeks.
Get Started with Dr. Szymanski
We would love to discuss your issues and goals with you. If you are considering doing something to change your eyes, whether for cosmetic or medically necessary reasons, we’re here to talk! Schedule a consultation with Dr. Szymanski to get your process started. Some treatments can be done same day so you can walk out feeling more confident about your eyes.
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