Masks Have Made It All About the Eyes
Let’s test your Eye Q.
Eye Q question number one: Do you know which is the first area of the face to show signs of aging?
If you said, “the eyes,” you are absolutely right. Do you know why? The skin around the eyes is 10 times thinner than the skin on other areas of your face making it more susceptible to wrinkles. There is also very little muscle and soft tissue beneath the eyes which can cause a sunken look.
Those bags beneath your eyes are caused by weakening tissue and the fat that typically supports the muscle begins to drain beneath the lower lid causing puffiness and swelling. Saggy upper lids, baggy lower lids, and dark hollows can make you look tired and older than you are.
The good news is that aging skin around the eyes can be corrected. An upper blepharoplasty, (“bleph”) and lower blepharoplasty or both, - also known as an eyelift, can take years off your face, and redefine your eyes, and now is the right time to do it when socializing is at a minimum and social distancing is the norm. Eyelifts offer long lasting results.
Most people begin thinking about surgically improving their eyes between the age of 30-35. All this recent mask wearing has created interest from a younger demographic.
Neurotoxin and filler injections can smooth out crow’s feet and furrows, and filler can be injected into the tear troughs plumping up the eyes. However, in cases where thinning muscles and fat pockets are involved, injectables are not nearly as effective as a blepharoplasty. During a bleph excess skin is trimmed, the muscle tightened, and extraneous fat is removed. The results are wide awake, young-looking eyes.
Eye Q question number two: Who is a candidate for an eyelift? See if it is you.
You are an ideal candidate if you are in good health, have no eye disease, and don’t smoke (smoking interferes with healing). You are also noticing that your upper eyelid may be slouching a bit over your eye, or that bagging has become more noticeable underneath your eyes.
Eye Q question number three: Is it your eyes only?
Beauty of course is in the eye of the beholder and sometimes we have difficulty judging ourselves. We recommend a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who is an expert with the biomechanics and symmetry of the face. Occasionally the brow will need to be addressed to give you the most optimal results possible.
Dr. Christopher Hove is double board-certified in ENT and facial plastic surgery. His empathetic nature, understanding of the structure of the face, and focus on natural looking results will help you make the most educated decision regarding your surgical options.
Eye Q question number four: What should you expect during your eyelift procedure?
An eyelift can sometimes be performed as an in-office procedure. You will receive a local anesthetic or intravenous anesthetic depending on what you and Dr. Hove decide. During an upper eyelid lift, Dr. Hove will make an incision in the fold of your eye and remove any excess skin or fat. He will then carefully close the incision with stitches as thin as human hair.
Dr. Hove will apply the same delicate touch and invisible stitching during a lower blepharoplasty. He will make a small cut just beneath the lower lashes. He will remove excess fat and tighten any loose muscle. Dr. Hove may suggest a fat transfer during the procedure to plump up the area under the eye. Depending on your surgical plan Dr. Hove will advise you on the location of your procedure.
Eye Q question number five: What is recovery like?
The key thing to remember is you are on your way to looking restored, refreshed, and rejuvenated. Following your procedure, you may have some discomfort. You may experience a feeling of bruising and swelling. You will be given at home instructions as well as any necessary medication for pain control. Typically you will be back at work and resume normal daily activities and wearing makeup after a week.
The results of the surgery are long-lasting (usually 10 years!) and you will enjoy the brighter, and very attractive eyes peering over your mask.
Eye Q question number six: How do you get started?
It is easy. Select a reputable facial plastic surgeon and make an appointment for an in-depth consultation. Ask all the questions you can!
Interested in learning more about an eyelift? We would love to meet you! Call us 610-647-3727.
