Eyelid Surgery in Santa Barbara, CA
Aging of the Eyes
The eyes experience changes over time, which can be a cosmetic concern to men and women alike. Excess skin or dermatochalasis may develop in the upper or lower eyelids, causing unsightly bags and a hooded appearance over the brows or eyelashes. The natural fat located within both the upper and lower eyelid can also become more apparent with age and contribute to an old or weary look. Because your eyes are the focal point of the face, these changes can create an aged appearance overall that makes you self-conscious, as you may begin to look older than you feel.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, can refresh the area above and below your eyes. The goals of your eyelid surgery in Santa Barbara are to provide a rejuvenated, more youthful appearance to the area of the face that is most engaging concerning personal interaction. Particular attention must be paid to the natural anatomy and preoperative condition of your eyelid to prevent an “operated” look. Tightening of the eyelid structures enables a restoration of an attractive almond shape, while a focus on surgical detail can prevent a hollowed appearance.
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What Is The Goal Of Eyelid Surgery?
The goal of your eyelid surgery in Santa Barbara is to restore a rejuvenated, more youthful appearance to the eyes or brows by removing excess skin, fat or tissue that makes you look aged or tired. Blepharoplasty can address sagging eyebrows, bags beneath the eyes, drooping or hooded eyelids, fatty deposits, and excess skin that leads to folds or wrinkles. Your particular procedure and the techniques used will depend on your individual goals and unique anatomy, ensuring a natural look that complements your facial features. The incisions associated with this surgery also allow access to your cheeks, brows and midface, so blepharoplasty is often combined with ancillary procedures such as a facelift, brow lift or cheek augmentation for more comprehensive results. During your consultation, Dr. Lowenstein will offer insight into possible surgical manipulations that may benefit your facial form and recommend the right procedure, or combination of procedures, for achieving your aesthetic goals. Your wishes are placed first and foremost in the decision-making process, so you will never be pressured into unwanted surgeries at Montecito Plastic Surgery.
FAQs
Signs of aging around the eyes occur for many of the same reasons that wrinkles appear on other areas of the face. During our younger years, collagen and elastin are found in abundance in the dermal structure, giving skin its youthful fullness and a smooth, supple appearance. As we age, our bodies produce less of these vital proteins, which means our skin receives less support over time. Collagen and elastin depletion gradually lead to skin laxity, loss of volume and the formation of lines and wrinkles.
Most of the aging symptoms you see develop around the eyes can be eliminated or reversed with eyelid surgery. This procedure removes excess skin to open the eyes and refresh the appearance. Puffiness caused by fatty deposits is reduced by eliminating excess fat, and the skin is drawn tighter to create a smoother contour around the eyes.
Dr. Lowenstein performs blepharoplasty under local anesthesia with sedation for many patients. If additional procedures are done at the same time, general anesthesia may be recommended instead. Your exact procedural details may vary depending on what is being addressed, but you will receive an explanation ahead of time so you’ll know what to expect. Incisions are strategically placed in areas where scarring will not be noticeable, such as in the crease of the upper eyelid, inside the eyelid, or underneath the eyelashes. Surgery may take an hour or two, depending on the amount of correction required. Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure, so patients go home a few hours after their surgery.
Recovery from blepharoplasty is often more comfortable than patients expect. Swelling after surgery may be managed with cold compresses and elevation, while oral pain medication will be prescribed to keep you comfortable during the first few days of your recuperation process. You will also have drops to put in your eyes to keep them moist and comfortable as they heal. Patients can resume light activities within two weeks in most cases. However, swelling and bruising may linger beyond that point, making some patients self-conscious about returning to the public eye. We tell patients, “Two weeks to spend time with your friends, three to spend time with your enemies.” By the end of the second week, makeup should be able to camouflage most of the residual bruising.
The results of blepharoplasty are very long-lasting, giving most patients many years of a refreshed appearance. Over time, the aging process will begin to take its toll once again and you may start to notice that aged, weary appearance creep back. You can take steps to delay the process by using daily sun protection and high-quality skin care products. Once you start to see changes, Dr. Lowenstein and his staff offer both surgical and non-surgical options to keep those aging signs at bay.
While aging is a natural process, visible sagging and fatty deposits around the eyes can make you seem exhausted and older than you are, even when you feel refreshed and wide-awake. If you’re concerned about how the signs of aging have affected your upper and lower eyelids, blepharoplasty may be right for you. This procedure is ideal for both women and men who want to improve the appearance of their eyes and restore a healthier, more vibrant and youthful look. Candidates should be healthy with no serious medical or eye conditions that could impact results or healing, and have reasonable goals and expectations. Dr. Lowenstein can help determine if eyelid surgery is appropriate for you during your initial consultation.
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