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It has been said that “the eyes are the window to your soul,” and they are definitely one of the first things that others notice about you. Your eyes also, unfortunately, are where the earliest signs of aging appear. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than that on the rest of the face, making it particularly susceptible to fine lines, sagging skin, and puffiness. For these issues, eyelid surgery can provide some of the most profound results of all aesthetic procedures.
Age, genetics, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and sun exposure can weaken the eyes’ tissues. The result is sagging skin and puffy fat on the upper eyelids that can make you look haggard, perpetually tired, and older than your years. In severe cases, the skin may even be limiting your peripheral vision.
Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure in which our surgeons lift the skin and muscles on the upper lids and remove or reposition any fatty deposits if necessary. The stitches are placed in the eyelid crease, which won’t be noticeable once you have recovered.
Dr. Helen Allison will perform a lower blepharoplasty for patients with excess skin or fatty deposits beneath the eyes. The incisions can be placed beneath the lash line, or he may take a transconjunctival approach with incisions within the lower eyelid.
Many men and women develop an unsightly, bulging fat pad beneath the eyes, creating a tired, aging look with age. In other cases, the fat place shifts position, making a dark hollow in the tear trough area and a bumpy transition from your upper cheek to your lower eye. Dr.Allison’s goal with lower eyelid surgery is to smooth out the area beneath the lash line. This may mean removing and repositioning fat and trimming excess skin.
Pregnancy is a powerful and transformative event that leads to a surge of hormones in the body. One of the most significant is the hormone relaxin, which allows ligaments in the pelvis to relax for childbirth. But its effects aren’t limited to the pelvis. Relaxin can also impact skin collagen and elasticity.
Breastfeeding, too, maintains a specific hormonal balance to ensure milk production, impacting skin health. The hormonal upheaval, characterized by estrogen and progesterone fluctuations, often changes skin elasticity, moisture retention, and volume. It shifts the appearance of the skin around the eyes, often causing sagging or puffiness.
The arrival of a baby heralds sleepless nights, a rite of passage for almost every new parent. While the initial weeks postpartum are particularly demanding, sleep disruptions often continue as children grow. Late-night feedings, teething woes, or comforting a restless baby deprive mothers of their essential rest.
This continuous sleep deprivation causes blood vessels under the eyes to dilate, leading to the appearance of dark circles. The skin around our eyes is fragile, making it susceptible to changes in the blood vessels beneath. Chronic sleep loss can also lead to water retention, causing puffy eyes and accentuating under-eye bags.
Motherhood, with all its rewards, can also be a roller coaster of emotions. The responsibility of nurturing a new life, balancing work and family, or merely adapting to a new identity can lead to considerable stress. Chronic stress triggers the release of the hormone cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels can lead to increased skin oil production and reduced collagen production, contributing to aging skin.
Moreover, stress can cause systemic inflammation, affecting the skin’s ability to retain moisture and remain elastic. For the delicate skin around the eyes, this can translate to increased dryness, fine lines, and a tired appearance.
Every individual’s recovery is unique. While some might feel ready to jump back into their routines quickly, others might need more time. Listen to your body, and don’t rush the healing process. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to complications or prolonged recovery.
After pregnancy and breastfeeding, many women notice significant changes in their breasts’ size, shape, and position. A breast augmentation can restore lost volume, providing a fuller and more rounded appearance. Meanwhile, a breast lift focuses on raising sagging breasts, repositioning the nipple, and reducing excess skin to achieve a youthful contour. For some, a combination of augmentation and lift is the perfect solution to address volume and position concerns.
Pregnancy significantly stretches the abdominal muscles and skin. While diet and exercise can help to some extent, they often can’t completely reverse the changes caused by childbirth. A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tightens the abdominal muscles, resulting in a flatter, firmer midsection. This procedure can be particularly beneficial for moms with diastasis recti, where the abdominal muscles separate due to pregnancy.
Even with a diligent diet and exercise regimen, some fat deposits remain stubbornly resistant to natural weight loss efforts. Liposuction is a versatile procedure that can target and remove these stubborn fat pockets from various body areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, and even under the chin. By sculpting and refining these areas, liposuction can enhance the body’s natural contours, complementing the refreshed appearance achieved through eyelid surgery.
While eyelid surgery targets the upper and lower eyelids, other facial areas might benefit from non-surgical treatments. Dermal fillers can add volume to places like the cheeks or lips and smooth out nasolabial folds or marionette lines. Botox, conversely, can address dynamic wrinkles on the forehead, between the brows, and crow’s feet, further complementing the youthful, alert look achieved with blepharoplasty.
Achieving a radiant complexion complements the results of an eyelid surgery. Treatments like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser resurfacing can address skin imperfections, uneven skin tone, and fine lines, enhancing facial rejuvenation.
Often, as mothers navigate the tumultuous path of parenthood, their reflection in the mirror starts to stray from their image of themselves. Drooping eyelids and tired eyes can sometimes feel like a disconnect between their vibrant inner spirit and external appearance.
Dark circles, puffy eyes, and droopy eyelids are often telltale signs of sleep deprivation, a common companion of motherhood. Regardless of how rested a mother might feel on a particular day, these visual markers can make her appear constantly exhausted, impacting interactions with friends, family, and colleagues. Eyelid surgery can eliminate this mask of perpetual fatigue, allowing mothers to present themselves as alert and engaged, genuinely reflecting their inner state.
Beyond the roles of caregiver, nurturer, and household manager, there’s an individual – a woman with dreams, aspirations, and a unique identity. This personal identity sometimes gets overshadowed by the demands of motherhood. A refreshed appearance post-surgery can catalyze women to reconnect with their individuality, helping them balance their role as a mother and identity as an individual.
With the renewed appearance often comes a surge in confidence. It isn’t just about looking good but feeling empowered in all areas of life, be it personal relationships, professional environments, or social scenarios.
For some mothers, the decision to undergo eyelid surgery stems from deep emotional pain or insecurity tied to their appearance. In these cases, the surgery offers more than physical correction; it provides emotional healing.
Most people automatically assume that cosmetic surgeries are never covered by insurance. While it’s true that elective cosmetic procedures usually aren’t, there are gray areas. Suppose your eyelid surgery, for example, is not just for aesthetic reasons but also to improve vision obscured by drooping eyelids (a condition known as ptosis). In that case, it may be deemed medically necessary.
The term “long-lasting” in cosmetic surgery is often relative. For some, it might mean a few years; for others, it could span a decade. With eyelid surgery, patients often find that the improvements in skin laxity, puffiness, and overall eyelid contour remain significant for many years post-operation. Yet, like all good things, they aren’t eternal.
Aging is a constant and inevitable process. Over time, our skin loses its elasticity, and collagen production slows down. Even after a successful eyelid surgery, these natural occurrences continue, influencing the duration of the results. But while you cannot halt aging, eyelid surgery can certainly turn back the clock a bit, offering you a refreshed appearance that ages gracefully with you.
Your lifestyle choices can either extend or reduce the longevity of your surgery results:
Sun exposure is among the top culprits that can shorten the lifespan of your eyelid surgery results. The harmful UV rays can break down collagen faster, leading to quicker skin aging. It’s crucial to shield your eyes from direct sunlight by using sunglasses and applying SPF regularly, even on cloudy days.
To maximize the lifespan of your eyelid surgery:
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines, and soften creases. They can also enhance facial contours.
Over time, we naturally lose fat and collagen from our faces. It is particularly evident around the eyes, where the skin is delicate. Dermal fillers can:
Dermal fillers have minimal recovery time, with most individuals returning to their daily activities immediately. Some mild swelling or bruising may occur but typically resolves within a week.
Botox is a purified form of botulinum toxin, and when injected in small amounts, it can relax facial muscles, reducing or eliminating lines and wrinkles.
Botox is particularly effective for dynamic wrinkles, which are lines that form from repetitive facial movements like squinting, smiling, or frowning:
Botox treatments are quick, often referred to as “lunchtime procedures.” There’s no downtime, although avoiding strenuous activities for 24 hours post-treatment is advisable.
Laser treatments use focused light energy to stimulate collagen production, remove the outer layer of skin, or target specific cells beneath the skin’s surface.
The recovery period for laser treatments varies based on the type and intensity of the laser. Some medicines have no downtime, while others might require a few days to a week off from daily activities.
Restore Confidence in Your Body With Top Rated Body Contouring Treatments.
Liposuction, Abdominoplasty, Tummy Tuck, Brazilian Butt Lift, Mommy Makeover, and more.
Dr. Helen Allison in known in her field for her mastery of surgical techniques to enhance and restore face, breast, body and soul.
