Are You a Candidate for Blepharoplasty?

In 2018, surgeons in the U.S. performed a staggering 1,811,740 cosmetic surgeries. Breast augmentation, liposuction, and nose reshaping were the top three most-performed procedures.

Ranking fourth is eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty or eye lift surgery. Last year, 206,529 people opted to get their eyelids done.

You likely are familiar with the top three, but how well do you know blepharoplasty? What drives more than 200,000 Americans (even over 300,000 of them in 2000) to undergo it every year?

Ready to find out what an eyelid job can do for you and why you should consider it? Let’s get right into it then!

Aging Skin and Droopy Eyelids

Aging skin can sag, which is why a droopy eyelid is more common in older people. Aponeurotic ptosis is the specific medical term for age-related droopiness in the eyelids.

Keep in mind that when a person ages, the skin develops elastosis wherein it loses elasticity. Elasticity is your skin’s ability to “snap back” in place after something stretches it.

For example, if you pinch your cheeks, your skin returns to its normal position, right? That’s elasticity, and aging can take that away from your skin.

Now, combine this loss of elasticity with the continuous downward pull of gravity. The results? Excess skin starts to gather on both the upper and the lower eyelids.

When excess skin collects on your upper eyelids, this can form an extra layer or fold of skin. Over time, it can become big or droopy enough to hang over your eyelashes. If this happens, it can already interfere with your vision.

If the excess skin gathers on your lower eyelid, you may find yourself staring at more wrinkles. A drooping lower eyelid can also create unwanted bulges.

Where an Eye Lift Surgery Comes into Play

So, what is blepharoplasty and what can it help with?

Blepharoplasty involves removing the extra skin or fat on the eyelids. Although your eyelids don’t actually get “lifted”, the end results will look that way. After all, there will no longer be an extra fold of skin hanging over your eyelids.

There are several reasons you should consider an eyelid lift, including the following.

Rejuvenate Your Eyes for a Younger, Fresher-Looking Appearance

For the longest time now, people have been claiming that “the eyes are the window to the soul”. It definitely sounds mystic and poetic, but according to science, this may actually be a fact!

By looking at someone’s eyes, we can tell if they’re interested, truthful, anger, or afraid. We can also tell if a family member, friends, or co-workers haven’t been sleeping well. We can even come up with a rough estimate of someone’s age based on their eyes.

Because all these come with signs that our eyes exhibit.

But fatty deposits and puffiness in the eyelids can make us look way older than we are. Bags under the eyes can make someone’s already-tired face look even more tired. They can make you look super stressed, which is not good when you want to make a great impression on a job interview.

Blepharoplasty can help treat these eye concerns by removing those fat deposits. It can remove the puffiness that can add years to your appearance. It freshens up your eyes so you don’t look tired all the time.

“Lifting” Your Vision

26.9 million U.S. adults experience vision problems, even with eyeglasses or contact lenses on. Some of these people are even unable to see anything.

Cataracts are among the most common, affecting over 24 million adults. But many also suffer from eyesight issues due to their drooping eyelids. Some people with more severe upper eyelid droopiness even have to tilt their head back to see!

Sounds familiar? If so, then you may want to consider eye lift surgery. It’ll get rid of that extra skin hovering over your eye so you can see better.

Say Goodbye to Infections of the Eye

A lower drooping eyelid can also expose more of the white area below your iris. Since this exposes a bigger part of your eye, you may be at greater risk of getting debris in your eye. This can cause infections, a problem affecting over a million Americans every year.

Problems with your eyelids also put you at higher risk of the dry eye syndrome. This can further make you more prone to infection since you can’t “tear away” foreign substances in the eye.

Lower eyelid surgery can remove the excess tissue or fat that makes your eyelid droop. It can restore your eyelids to their natural position. That can then help reduce your risks for such infections.

Keep Your Eyes Moist without Being Too Watery

This sounds weird, but having droopy eyelids also puts you at risk of watery eyes alongside dry eye. This can happen if your upper eyelid turns or folds inward.

In this case, the eyelashes keep rubbing against the eye, which can cause irritation. Worse, it can cause abrasions on your eye’s cornea, causing inflammation and scarring.

Don’t worry about having to go in for different procedures if both your upper and lower eyelids droop. Highly-qualified and -experienced surgeons can perform both surgeries in one appointment.

Are You a Good Candidate?

If you are in good health and have no serious medical problems, you may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery. Also, an ideal patient is someone who doesn’t smoke.

It’s also vital that you have realistic expectations from your eyelid surgery. Granted, it can enhance your looks, rejuvenate your eyes, and boost your confidence. But the surgery may not change your facial structure or it may not give you your ideal look.

That’s why you should discuss all your goals and expectations with the surgeon first. This way, your doctor can determine if there’s anything else that can help you reach your goals.

Experience the Difference an Eyelid Surgery Can Bring to Your Life

Ready to take the first step for blepharoplasty? If so, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us! We’ll answer any questions you have about this procedure or anything about your eyes.