Scottsdale eyelid surgery
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a popular procedure. Both men and women may benefit from having this procedure, which can correct certain problems with the eyelids and lead to a refreshed and rejuvenated look.
There are two types of blepharoplasty: upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty. Although they’re both surgical procedures for the eyelids, these are actually quite different procedures with different goals. What’s the difference? How can you know which one is right for you?
Upper blepharoplasty addresses drooping or sagging eyelids
As people age and their tissues have less support, the upper eyelids can start to sag or droop. This can make people look older than they really are, and they may appear tired or even angry when they aren’t. In severe cases, the drooping eyelid skin can even interfere with vision by falling into the visual field.
Upper eyelid surgery is intended to address these problems. The surgeon makes an incision in the crease of the upper eyelid. Excess sagging skin is removed and the tissues repositioned and tightened. Then the incision is closed. The resulting scar is generally well-hidden in the fold of the eyelid and so it will not be noticeable after healing.
Lower blepharoplasty addresses the under-eye area
As part of the aging process, many people notice puffiness or bags under the eyes. Some people also notice dark circles under the eyes that won’t go away. These issues can make a person appear tired all the time. This can happen even early in the aging process; some people are bothered by dark circles or bags under the eyes in their 30s.
Lower eyelid surgery addresses these issues. The incisions are made inside of the lower eyelid, so the resulting scars will be invisible. From here, the surgeon is able to reposition the fat pads of the area under the eye. (In older versions of this procedure, the surgeon would often remove fat from this area. However, this tends to lead to a “hollowed out” look. Instead, Dr. Henderson will reposition the fat pads so that they don’t protrude from beneath the eye; a small amount of fat may be removed, but she will ensure that the area is still full.) It sometimes also helps to add a little bit of volume to the upper cheek (which often loses volume as part of the aging process), in order to smooth out the transition between the cheek and the undereye area. If there is excess lower eyelid skin and/or other tissues in the area under the eyes, then these will also be removed during the procedure and the area tightened.
Can you have both upper and lower eyelid surgery at the same time?
These are two very different procedures with different goals, but there are certainly many people who would benefit from having both. The two procedures can be performed at the same time if desired. This requires only one recovery period, which makes it easier to have both procedures than doing them separately would be. If you’re bothered by both drooping upper eyelids and bags or dark circles under the eyes, then you may want to consider having both upper and lower blepharoplasty.
Are you considering Scottsdale eyelid surgery?
If you’re bothered by the appearance of the area around your eyes, then we invite you to make an appointment with Dr. Henderson. After an examination and a discussion of your needs and goals, she’ll be able to make recommendations for which treatment might be best for you. She’s a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, specializing only in surgical and non-surgical treatment of the face, so she’s well-prepared to get the best possible results from your procedure. To schedule your appointment, please contact our office at your convenience.