We specialize in a number of eyelid surgeries at La Bella Cosmetic Surgery. The eyes are “the windows to the soul” and often the first thing people notice about us. Also known as blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery is a common cosmetic procedure that can make a dramatic difference in a person’s appearance.
Asian Eyes. Although well suited for centuries of wind blowing across the steppe, many Asian people opt to change the shape of their eyelids. There are a number of differences between Asian eyes and those of other ethnic groups. Most of these variations are unseen muscular and other underlying tissue differences. In addition, the crease of an Asian eye is often incomplete or non-existent, sometimes allowing the skin to rest on the lashes and conceal much of the eye. If you are of Asian descent and are considering eyelid surgery, make sure your surgeon is experienced in Asian eyelid surgery. He or she will need a detailed understanding of the ethnic variations in eyelid anatomy and the surgical skill necessary to maintain your ethnicity and achieve your individual goals. In most Asian blepharoplasties, a fold is either moved or created in the upper eyelid. Dr. Dang places fine incisions where the patient wants his or her crease. The position and slope of this fold varies depending on the many different cultural preferences within Asian groups and also individual preference. Next, a thin crescent of excess skin, fat, and muscle may be removed. All incisions are closed with very fine sutures concealed within the crease of the eyelid. This procedure makes more of the eye visible, resulting in a more open appearance.
Aging Eyes. The aging process often first shows up around our eyes. As we grow older, the skin around our eyes stretches, muscles weaken, and fat either accumulates around or drains from our eye sockets. The eyes may be the windows to our soul, but droopy eyelids, hollowed eye sockets, and/or “bags” under our eyes can make us look tired, angry or sad, and older than we actually are. There are many lotions and serums on the market that promise hope in a bottle, which is sad because they do little to nothing. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that offers a real solution. Eyelid surgery improves the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, and gives a rejuvenated appearance to the surrounding area of your eyes, making you look more rested and alert.
One common problem area is excess skin on the upper eyelid, often called “hooding” of the upper lid. Sagging eyelids (a condition known as “ptosis”) can also interfere with our vision, obstructing our view of the world. To add insult to injury, some of us develop extra lines on our forehead as we unconsciously lift our brows to let in more light. Do that enough hours in the day and you can get headaches as well.
Dark Hollows around the Eyes. If you are bothered by dark hollows around your eyes or dark shadows under your eyes, there are a number of solutions available. Some people are born with this condition, and many develop it with age. For our younger patients, sometimes repositioning fat under the eye is the best solution. A common problem as we age is hollowing around the eye socket: fat drains from the face, so unless you are significantly overweight, you end up looking tired and haggard. They say you either have to choose between your derriere or your face, but with advances in cosmetic surgery and related procedures, that is no longer the case. If you’ve worked hard to stay trim over the years or have fought your way back to a healthy weight through diet and exercise, there is no reason you shouldn’t reward yourself with a face that looks as good as your body. We can harvest a little fat from where you don’t need it (such as the abdomen, upper thighs, or jaw area) and inject it where you do. Most people have ample stores of fat available for this purpose, but if you are very thin, we can use synthetic injectables such as Radiesse or Juvederm.
Bags under the Eyes. As we age, skin, ligaments, and tiny muscles around around our eyes stretch and loosen. In some people, fat herniates out from under our eyes, causing the common problem of “bags under the eyes.” This can significantly worsen on the days we are tired or have allergies because of additional swelling in the tissues. Over the counter medications and home remedies such as tea bags can help with swelling, but nothing can help with that bit of fat except surgery. Ligaments and muscles can be tightened and, if necessary, excess fat and skin can be excised. In some patients, this one change makes a remarkable difference in terms of a fresher, more youthful appearance.
