People often come into the office wanting facial rejuvenation and a desire to look younger. Since we look at each other in the eye area or “in the eyes,” it is frequently the place to begin to achieve the goal of a younger look. In this writing, rejuvenation procedures around the eye are discussed. Botox, cosmetic eyelift or blepharoplasty, skin resurfacing, and brow lift procedures will be discussed. Most importantly, what do the different procedures do and which one is best for you will be reviewed. Please see the blepharoplasty before and after photos in the photo gallery. Also, please go to the video section in the menu titled “Eyelid surgery with Dr. Saunders” to see operation actually being done. It is very precise and delicate surgery, and shows plastic surgery as a meticulous craft. Delaware and Pennsylvania patients, or those in other states, should please schedule a consultation to discuss their specific desires.
Botox and Dysport are medicines that target the muscles of the face and eye areas. They paralyze muscles which can sound scary, but they are exceedingly safe! They are used in the forehead, for wrinkles that go side to side. They are also used a lot for the area between the eyebrows (called the glabellar area). These wrinkles can look like the number 11. Also wrinkles that radiate out to the sides from the eyes, called the crows feet are treated. Botox and Dysport treatments are extremely easy to have done and make significant improvement in these wrinkles for about 3 months. They do not “get rid of” wrinkles, but improve them. Also, they are not for the mouth area, as this would lead to problems moving the mouth. Finally, if you have “bags and circles” around the eyes, than cosmetic surgery or cosmetic eye lift operations or a blepharoplasty are a better choice for you. See below.
With Botox and Dysport facial rejuvenation treatments, it is very important to examine the eyebrow area, in particular the amount of loose skin above the eyes and below the brows. Extra skin in this area is called “hooding.” If we have too much loose skin in this area, than Botox and Dysport can give a “heavy” appearance and make this area look worse. These treatments are still fine for crows feet wrinkles and for the “11? wrinkles between the brows. Too much Botox in the forehead for forehead wrinkles can make the upper eyelid area heavy and older looking. In this particular situation, a cosmetic eye lift or cosmetic blepharoplasty might give more rejuvenation and ultimately better results. I help my patients with this examination to see which is best for you!
Plastic surgery eye lift or eye tuck is medically called a blepharoplasty. It is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic operations in America. It is extremely successful and safe. The operation is done to rejuvenate the upper eye lid area and improve “hooding” or extra skin. The operation takes less than an hour. Eye lift recovery or blepharoplasty recovery can be extremely quick with practically no pain!! Bruising and swelling do take time to resolve, and this time has to be considered. In contrast to Botox and Dysport, cosmetic eyelift surgery usually is done once and is not repeated like the Botox treatments. The blepharoplasty dramatically rejuvenates people by getting rid of the extra skin above the eyes, which can be so aging! I use the latest techniques in my opinion to perform the cosmetic blepharoplasty by targeting all three layers- skin, muscle, and fat.
Forehead lift surgery or brow lift surgery are different names for the same cosmetic operation. The goal of the brow lift is to rejuvenate the forehead, eyebrow area, and the temple area. Improvement of wrinkles and extra skin above the eye lid is an additional goal of the operation. I do the operation endoscopically called an endoscopic brow lift or endoscopic forehead lift. Endoscopes or television camera surgery is done with minimal incisions to elevate and rejuvenate the area. This endoscopic technique is considered the latest way to perform the procedure. People often will worry about having the brows elevated “too high” giving an unnatural appearance- called a “deer in the headlights” look. Actually, this almost never happens with endoscopic brow lift surgery. Most people are very pleased with the rejuvenation achieved and with the high success rate.
Skin resurfacing is the name given to treatments on the facial skin to treat age spots, blemishes, sun spots, and fine wrinkles. Skin resurfacing might be laser treatments, dermabrasion, peels, and/or facials. The final result is often younger looking skin with a more youthful appearance and skin that has a nice attractive texture and tone. The depth of the resurfacing can be varied from superficial to deeper to get more rejuvenation. Deeper treatments require longer to heal. Most facial resurfacing is done by the office nurse or esthetician. Recovery is extremely quick with almost immediate return to normal activities and work. Deeper resurfacing can require longer periods to allow healing or peeling. Skin resurfacing doesn’t get rid of bags, jowls, or circles and surgical treatments would be more appropriate.
Dr. Saunders is a board-certified plastic surgeon who practices exclusively cosmetic surgery. He has won many awards including “Best Plastic Surgeon” three years in a row!! (Reader’s Choice Award)
Please come in for a complimentary consultation to learn about your choices and options!
