What is Eyelid Aesthetics (Blepharoplasty)?
Blepharoplasty is the process of surgically removing excess skin and subcutaneous tissues in the upper and lower eyelids, giving the eyelids a more taut, smooth and shiny appearance. In this way, a younger and fresh appearance is achieved in patients.
Skin and subcutaneous tissues that loosen with aging, with the effect of gravity, cause sagging of the eyelids and cause patients to look older and more tired than they are. In younger individuals, on the other hand, problems such as laxity, sagging and even the absence of lid skin fold (Asian type eyelid) can be seen structurally in the eyelid skin.
Therefore, eyelid aesthetics (blepharoplasty) is an operation that can be applied not only to older individuals, but also to all adults with aesthetic eyelid problems.
How is Eyelid Aesthetics Performed?
Blepharoplasty surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia under operating room conditions, depending on the patient’s preference.
The surgery is performed on the upper eyelid by making a skin incision on the lid fold line. Since the natural eyelid fold is used in this incision, the surgical scar is not visible.
The needs of the patients are determined in the detailed preoperative evaluation and according to these needs, only skin, skin and subcutaneous muscle tissue (orbicularis muscle) or skin, orbicularis muscle and herniated orbital fat tissue are excised. In patients with drooping lacrimal gland, it can be fixed in place in the same session.
In the lower eyelid, the surgery is performed by making an incision in the conjunctiva, the membrane on the inner side of the eyelid, so that the wound site remains hidden. After some excision of the herniated orbital fat tissues reached through this incision, the hallowness of the tear trough is corrected by redistribution of these fat pads under the skin, thus killing two birds with one stone.
If there is excess skin on the lower lids, the surgical incision for skin excision is made at the natural lid line under the eyelashes, thus preventing scarring of the lower lid skin.
What are the Signs of Eyelid Aging?
With aging, looseness begins to form in the skin and subcutaneous connective tissues. With the negative effect of gravity, the skin and subcutaneous tissues on the eyelids sag downwards. In addition, behind the eyelid skin, there is a connective tissue called “septum” that prevents the orbital fat tissue around the eye from herniating forward.
With aging, this tissue also loosens and the barrier effect in front of the orbital fat tissues weakens. As a result, fat tissues herniating from the eyelids cause swelling in the lids.
In the upper eyelid, these sags can cause the lid margin and eyelashes to turn inward (entropion), narrowing the visual field, closing the front of the eye and decreasing vision. Sagging of the lower lid can cause the lid to turn outward (ectropion).
As a result of upper lid entropion or lower lid ectropion, patients may experience burning, stinging, redness, reflex excessive watering in the eyes, as well as very serious corneal problems.
In Which Conditions Is Eyelid Aesthetics Performed?
Eyelid aesthetics should be evaluated medically and aesthetically separately. As a result of excessive sagging of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, inward rotation of the upper eyelid (entropion), stinging of the eyelashes (trichiasis), narrowing of the visual field, and outward rotation of the lower lids due to the weight of excess skin (ectropion) make it a medical necessity to perform this surgery.
However, the fact that patients do not like the aesthetic appearance of their lids and have reasonable requests and expectations in consultation with their doctor may be considered sufficient to decide on surgery.
At What Age Is Eyelid Aesthetics Performed?
Although blepharoplasty surgery is generally performed at an advanced age, in some patients the eyelid skin may start to sag at an earlier age. In younger individuals, as mentioned earlier, there may be some structural problems in the eyelids. In these cases, surgery can also be performed at a younger age.
Things to Consider Before the Operation
Although eyelid aesthetics is considered as a simple surgery, it carries serious risks of bleeding and complications. In addition to the surgeon’s attention during the case, the most important thing that patients should pay attention to before surgery is blood thinners. Patients who have been started on blood thinners by another doctor should ask the doctor who started the medication and, if possible, stop their medication 10 days in advance or replace it with the medication that the doctor deems appropriate. In addition, care should be taken not to consume certain natural foods and vitamins before surgery due to their blood-thinning effects.
What should be considered after blepharoplasty surgery?
There are a few points that patients should pay attention to in order to ensure that postoperative healing is fast, swelling and bruises are as little as possible and there are no scars on the wound site.
The main factors to be considered after the surgery are not to contact the wound with water for the first 2 days after the surgery, to apply cold application regularly for the first 3 days, to apply the drops and ointments given on time, to avoid heavy sports activities in the first week, to stay away from the sun and heat, especially in the first month.
Eyelid Aesthetic Prices 2024
Blepharoplasty surgery can be divided into upper, lower or both upper and lower lid aesthetics. In order to understand exactly what the patients need, it is necessary to perform a detailed examination before surgery. We are waiting for you to our clinic for blepharoplasty surgery pricing.
Is the Effect Long Lasting?
Since aging continues after blepharoplasty surgery, the effect of the surgery will decrease over time. However, it is not possible to say how long this effect will last or when the effect will decrease. The vital and structural (skin and connective tissues) differences between patients make it impossible to make a generalization in terms of the duration of the effect of the surgery.
During the surgery, considering the condition of the patient’s eyelids, the maximum correction that can be made without losing naturalness is tried to be made. Thus, it is aimed to preserve the effect of the surgery for the maximum period of time.
Is Surgery Risky?
Every surgery has a certain risk, albeit in varying degrees and severity. However, blepharoplasty surgery performed carefully and in accordance with surgical rules by an experienced oculoplastic surgeon is one of the surgeries with a very low risk.
Can I Take a Bath After Surgery?
Care should be taken not to contact the wound with water for the first 2 days after surgery. In the first 2 days, the hair and the body from the neck down can be washed with lukewarm water by throwing the head back (hairdresser style). However, taking the shower too hot and entering places such as steam rooms and saunas should be avoided. After the second day, the eyes can be bathed without rubbing, only allowing the running water to touch. After the stitches are removed at the first week control, you can return to normal life with the recommendations of your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do scars remain after eyelid aesthetic surgery?
In eyelid aesthetic surgeries, if the incisions for the upper and lower eyelids are made carefully and the blepharoplasty surgery rules are followed, the scars disappear over time in a way that even the patient himself cannot understand.
Is general anesthesia applied in eyelid aesthetics?
Local or general anesthesia can be applied in blepharoplasty surgeries. The most suitable method for the patient is presented to the patient by the doctor and the decision is made together.
How long does eyelid aesthetics take?
Upper eyelid aesthetics takes approximately 1-1.5 hours, while lower eyelid aesthetics takes between 2-2.5 hours.
How long after the sutures are removed in eyelid aesthetics?
After blepharoplasty surgery, the stitches can be removed in 5-10 days by evaluating the patient’s wound healing.