Eyelid Surgery | The Office of Dr. Vincent Hung
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure that treats the eyes for excess skin and wrinkles, loose pockets of fat that cause puffy undereyes, and drooping lids. This impactful procedure requires very small, discreet incisions, resulting in fine, inconspicuous scars. This blog will discuss what readers can expect from the procedure and recovery, as well as how to minimize undue scarring.
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What Can Eyelid Surgery Do?
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a customized cosmetic procedure that rejuvenates the eyes by addressing the upper and/or lower eyelids. Patients may require treatment of the upper lids, lower lids, or both, as they exhibit aging in slightly different ways:
- Upper blepharoplasty primarily treats loose, crepey skin of the upper lid, including crow’s feet. It can also be used to restore drooping eyelids, improving the patient’s field of vision and the overall aesthetic of the upper lids.
- Lower blepharoplasty also treats loose skin and wrinkles, in addition to puffy bags underneath the eyes. Often mistaken for a symptom of fatigue or lack of sleep, undereye bags may be the result of loose muscles that cause fat displacement, ie, those pesky undereye bags.
After blepharoplasty, you will appear more rested, with smoother skin for a youthful appearance that brightens the face. This procedure is very straightforward, only taking around an hour to perform, with a short recovery time, but yields a stunning and impactful result.
How Does Eyelid Surgery Work?
Anytime an incision is made on the body, there is a possibility of scarring. Therefore, if you want to learn what you can expect from your plastic surgery procedure in terms of scarring, it’s best to understand the procedure steps and where those incisions will be.
Upper Eyelid Surgery Procedure Steps
During the upper blepharoplasty procedure, your surgeon will make an incision along or above where the eyelid creases as it opens and closes. Through the incision, your surgeon will remove or reposition fat deposits and remove excess skin. If necessary, lax muscles can be tightened to correct eyelid drooping.
Lower Eyelid Surgery Procedure Steps
The incision for lower blepharoplasty rests just below the lashline, making it easily disguised by makeup if necessary. Through the incision, the surgeon will remove or adjust fat deposits and loose skin, depending on the patient’s requested results.
What Do Blepharoplasty Scars Look Like?
Despite them being in a very visible location on the body, eyelid surgery scars tend to be very light in color and very thin—nearly imperceptible with proper healing. Upper blepharoplasty scars are easily hidden within the crease of the eyes, so when the patient’s eyes are open, they are impossible to see. Similarly, lower blepharoplasty scars are just beneath the lash line, making it very difficult to see.
Of course, everyone heals differently, and you do have to care for your incisions to ensure an ideal result. Some patients who are more susceptible to scarring or are more likely to have keloid scars may require more care to ensure a discreet result. Your surgeon can advise you on possible outcomes based on your personal medical history.
How to Help the Healing Process for Eyelid Surgery
As with any cosmetic procedure, the recovery process is key in determining the appearance of scars. The better you care for your eyes in recovery, the better you’ll heal. Luckily, blepharoplasty has a relatively quick and easy recovery process, which goes as follows:
Immediately after your procedure, you will experience some swelling, bruising, and irritation around the incisions and eyes. Over-the-counter pain medications, cold compresses, and soothing ointments may be used to help the early stages of recovery go a little smoother. However, most patients achieve functional recovery (meaning they can go back to work and resume normal activities) after about a week. Aesthetically, the eyes will start to look normal after only 10 to 14 days. Full recovery may take up to six months.
Blepharoplasty Recovery Tips
- The best thing you can do for your eyes as you recover from blepharoplasty is to rest. Rest allows your body to do one thing: focus on healing. It’ll be easy, as you should also avoid straining your eyes for at least a week. Most surgeons suggest avoiding reading or watching TV for an extended period of time…which is ok, as you’ll likely need to sleep.
- Keeping your eyes moist is also key, as they can easily dry out after surgery. Your surgeon can recommend a good saline solution and ointment to keep everything healthy and clean.
- Keep your head elevated immediately after surgery and sleep with extra pillows for a few days.
- Do not wear contact lenses or eye makeup for at least two weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions concerning when you can use other cosmetics or face lotions.
- After surgery, and for the next six months to a year, wear sunglasses whenever you go outside to avoid straining your eyes and protect them from excessive sun exposure. Once your incisions have healed and you are cleared by your surgeon, you should also use a strong SPF around your eyes. Sun exposure is one of the most common reasons patients develop darker scars, so try to avoid it as much as possible.
Interested in Eyelid Surgery in Pasadena, CA?
Dr. Vincent Hung is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon, holding unique qualifications in board certification in dermatology, internal medicine, and plastic surgery. This rare combination of fields of expertise positions him as a uniquely qualified surgeon who can provide truly unparalleled care for your eyelid surgery or other cosmetic procedures, such as facelifts and complex reconstructive cases. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hung, call his Pasadena, CA, office at (626) 623-7135 or fill out the online contact form.
