When is the Best Time to Consider Getting Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery?

During the pandemic people have been wearing masks and “zooming” online. Everyone’s mouths are covered but their eyes are exposed. As a result people are focusing on their eyelids. The skin laxity and bulges around their eyelids may make them appear fatigued, less alert and older than their stated age especially when they are being viewed online. Make-up can only go so far and the sagging skin may interfere with your ability to apply make-up. This focused interest on the eyelid as an aesthetic unit is not new. It has been around for thousands of years. Even Nefertiti (an Egyptian Queen) put on eyeliner!

Projecting a tired fatigued appearance to the outside world especially in their competitive business and social circles can be a liability. It is understandable that we are all fatigued by the pandemic but we have to go on living! People consciously or unconsciously try and camouflage this eyelid laxity by applying makeup or by deflecting a focus on the laxity by applying eyelash extensions but these quick-fix temporary remedies can only go so far.

So what’s the next step? First they may choose to go their dermatologist or plastic surgeon for a temporary “no downtime” fix. Usually they are offered Botox or injectable fillers. Sometime, these fillers can postpone more permanent solutions when you have a special event coming up or you are too busy to undergo surgery. But these facial fillers only remedy the problem for six to nine months before the sagging, laxity and bulges reappear.

According to eyelid expert, Joel Kopelman M.D., in the hands of a skilled and experienced oculoplastic surgeon, use of facial fillers and Botox can be a good way to correct “crow’s feet”, depressions, and dark circles in most patients in their 30’s, and 40’s. But there are also younger patients who have been born with a propensity to form lines, wrinkles, and eyelid drooping who are best treated with a blepharoplasty or “eyelid tuck”. Later, as we enter our late forties and fifties, the aging process progresses and skin laxity progresses. Bulges of fat start to appear especially at the upper inner corner of the eyelids. At this point that you may begin to consider the benefits of an  .

Blepharoplasty surgery is a very popular  and safe cosmetic procedure in experienced hands. According to the American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) at least 210,000 people each year undergo blepharoplasty surgery each year.

What is an Eyelift?

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery involves removing excess skin from the upper eyelid that has evolved over the many decades. Every face is unique and therefore every eyelid procedure has to be customized to your specific anatomy. Dr. Kopelman does not believe that “one size fits all” instead he customizes each procedure for each individual. For instance in the upper eyelid it is common to remove just redundant skin and a small amount of bulging fat. Usually the muscle layer is left untouched. Sometimes Dr. Kopelman will not remove the upper eyelid bulging fat but will transfer the bulging fat to an area of the upper eyelid that lacks volume. If the eyebrow encroaches on the upper eyelid then he may recommend a endoscopic brow lift. The objective is not to change your appearance but “reset” your anatomy back to a more youthful contour. The natural lines, folds, wrinkles and loose skin are diminished, your eyelids look lifted and your overall appearance will be brighter and more alert. Dark circles, bulges, and wrinkles of the lower eyelid will also determine the kind of lower eyelid blepharoplasty procedures that Dr. Kopelman recommends. Sometimes bulging fat is sculpted and trimmed while other times the bulging fat is used as a natural filler to fill in lower eyelid depressions. Fat obtained from other areas of the body are sometimes grafted in lower eyelid hollows  where the fat is deficient.

About Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery

Dr. Joel Kopelman, MD FACS, is a board certified oculoplastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic facial plastic and reconstructive procedures. 

His philosophy is that you should select the best plastic surgeon with the skills, training and years of experience to perform your eyelid surgery in order to obtain the best results. The best way to determine the right path to determine whether blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) is right for you, is to schedule an initial consultation. To learn more about Dr. Kopelman click here drkopelman.com.