The Eyes Have It: Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Correction
Posted October 24, 2018
It’s all in the eyes
Eyes take center stage when looking in the mirror at one’s reflection and this is where a lot of people start to see the first signs of aging. The desire to look less tired is a common concern for both men and women. They also wish to address concerns such as crepey or wrinkled skin around the eyes, baggy or discolored skin under the eyes, and the size of the eye which has changed due to excess skin. With advances in non-surgical techniques, how does one determine whether a surgical or non-surgical approach will safely correct their aesthetic concerns?
Non-surgical options
Non-surgical correction involves the use of dermal fillers, laser treatments, microneedling, and skin care. A dermal filler, such as Restylane, is used to help add volume and fill in the hollowing that is found underneath the eye. Dermal fillers can also decrease the discoloration or darkening under the eye and can provide a better contour between the junction of the cheek and eyelid which results in a smoother, more youthful appearance. A dermal filler will typically last in the undereye area for about a year and will have to be re-treated to maintain the desired results. For patients that have crepey, thin skin under the eye, a laser can help tighten the skin and plump the dermis to produce a fuller appearance to the skin. A laser may also help with the discoloration under the eyes and small vessels that may appear around the orbital rim. Two to three laser treatments may be needed to reach the desired goal with maintenance treatments done periodically, as needed, in the years to come. Microneedling is another non-surgical approach used to address the crepey skin found under the eyes. This treatment will help stimulate collagen and elastin to help produce smoother, tighter skin. Good skin care is necessary to correct sun damage and will help maintain a more youthful appearance.
Surgical options
Surgical correction involves a lower blepharoplasty or lower eyelid surgery. This is a safe, predictable procedure that is done to correct bulging of the lower eyelids which is caused by excess fat. It can also remove excess skin found around the eyes thereby softening the wrinkles that have evolved over the years. The procedure is performed as an outpatient and can be done under IV sedation in a surgery center. It is essentially painless and has approximately 1 1/2-2 weeks of downtime. Mild bruising may be associated with the procedure which typically clears within 7-10 days. Makeup can be worn as early as one week to help camouflage any bruising found at this point postoperatively. Fat injections are also considered a surgical option. This is the process of removing fat via a small liposuction cannula from one area of the body and transferring it into areas that may require additional volume. Fat injections are a more permanent solution than dermal fillers to fix the hollows found under the eyes.
Which option is best for me?
Evaluation by a board-certified plastic surgeon is necessary to discuss all options available to meet a patient’s aesthetic goals. A physical examination is an opportunity to discuss available treatments and answer any questions, which will help determine the best plan to achieve optimal results. If you would like to receive a complimentary consultation with Dr. Antimarino, call (844) 496-6647 or click here.
