5 Things to Know About Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is an eyelid lift that treats aging around the eyes. It is one of the most popular facial surgeries. In recent years, advancements in surgical techniques have enabled eye rejuvenation surgeries to produce results that appear more natural than what older approaches provided.

What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty improves the appearance of the eyes by removing excess skin from the eyelids, which reduces sagging and other signs of aging. Blepharoplasty results are thought to make people look an average of two years younger.

In addition to the cosmetic improvements of reversing the sagging that occurs with age, blepharoplasty can also improve peripheral vision if sagging skin has affected it. The procedure does not affect the structure of the face.

5 things to know about blepharoplasty:

The eyelid lift is an invasive procedure that requires preparation and thoughtful considerations. If you're thinking about getting one, here we list 5 things you should know before getting blepharoplasty.

1. Results may last years or a lifetime

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is often considered effective enough to last a lifetime, though the data have not clarified the average longevity of the procedure. Results from upper eyelid blepharoplasty do not last as long but can remain several years post-surgery. How long the results of facial surgeries last ultimately depend on many modifiable and non-modifiable factors, including the patient’s bone structure, age, and details of their lifestyle.

2. There is no perfect time for an eyelid lift

Choosing when to get cosmetic facial procedures like blepharoplasty is a personal decision that often has no correct answer. Some experts suggest that the best time to undergo plastic surgery is when you feel disharmony between your self-perception and your external appearance.

There are also some practical considerations for when you undergo blepharoplasty. For instance, after the procedure, you cannot wear contact lenses for about two weeks, so you’ll want to have the procedure done when you are happy to use an alternative, such as prescription glasses.

It is also advised to be in good health if you are going to undergo blepharoplasty. For instance, patients should not smoke or have chronic illnesses.

3. Age for blepharoplasty is not a major factor

Most people who pursue blepharoplasty are over the age of 35, though people who have saggy eyelids in their family may choose to have the procedure earlier. Research into how age affects satisfaction with blepharoplasty results has shown that age does not have a significant impact on how happy people are with the results of their procedure.

A patient’s age does, however, affect the surgical approach to blepharoplasty. For example, surgeons often substantially stretch the lower skin flap in younger patients. However, if it is stretched to the same extent in elderly patients, the patient will look unnatural. Experts thus suggest that a few wrinkles should be untouched for a more natural look.

4. Blepharoplasty has some risks

As with other surgical procedures, blepharoplasty carries some risk of complications. For instance, you may experience pain following a blepharoplasty, though most pain is mild to moderate and subsides within a week. If severe pain occurs, it is likely to be in the hours following the procedure.

Swelling, muscle damage, scars, itchiness, and dry eyes can all occur following blepharoplasty, leading some people to struggle to close their eyes after the procedure. You can also experience blurry vision and light sensitivity in the short term after blepharoplasty. Patients who adhere to their surgeon’s advice following their facial surgeries tend to recover better and more quickly.

5. Multiple procedures might be needed

The most common complication of blepharoplasty is not meeting the patient’s expectations. When dissatisfaction occurs, it may be due to asymmetries observed after the procedure, where patients feel that the two eyes do not match, or other cosmetic concerns including scarring and skin fold.

In some cases, blepharoplasty is simply not enough to overcome a patient’s cosmetic concerns, and additional procedures are needed to achieve desired results. For instance, brow lifts may be needed for people whose eyebrows sag, and some people find that they want a full facelift to overcome aesthetic issues that bother them.