In the constant quest to look as young as you feel, you exercise to keep your body fit, care for your skin to prevent or diminish sun damage, and even choose your wardrobe accordingly. But certain uncontrollable physical characteristics can make you appear older despite your best efforts, and the most noticeable among them may be your eyelids.
Hooded lids that sag down over your eyes communicate a message to everyone you encounter. Some may interpret your droopy lids as a sign that you haven’t slept well, others may think you’re uninterested in what they’re saying, but most make an instant judgement about your age — and you can bet their guess is beyond your actual years.
If your eyelids are betraying you, it may be time to consider blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery. And in the Bay Area, there’s no better choice than Dr. Michael Macdonald, our double-board-certified cosmetic and facial plastic surgeon here at Aesthetic Surgery Center in San Francisco, California.
Known for his personable and approachable demeanor and his unsurpassed expertise and skill, Dr. Macdonald offers a full spectrum of surgical procedures as well as laser treatments and injectables to help his patients reach their aesthetic goals. Here’s what he’d like you to know about blepharoplasty and how it can restore your youthful look.
What makes eyelids sag?
Technically called ptosis, sagging eyelids lead to both cosmetic and vision problems. While some children are born with congenital ptosis, most people acquire the condition from one of the following causes:
- Nerve damage
- Disease or injury that affects your ligaments
- Surgery that stretches your eyelid
- Eye tumors
- Age
Age is by far the most common cause of acquired ptosis. Studies show that by age 40, more than 5% of adults have some degree of ptosis, and by age 70, nearly 40% have significant eyelid drooping. This occurs when the levator muscle, which is responsible for opening your eyes by lifting the lid, gets stretched out and fails to hold your eyelid open fully.
Along with other skin on your face and body, loose, sagging eyelids are synonymous with age. This is why it makes you look much older than you are if it happens to you early on.
How ptosis affects more than your looks
Whether you have one saggy eyelid or two, the effect can give you a tired, aged look, and it can make applying makeup quite tricky. But beyond these cosmetic issues, ptosis can also lead to some physical problems, such as:
- Dry eyes
- Watery eyes
- Achy eyes
- The need to tilt your head back to see better
- Muscle strain
- Headaches
- Vision impairment
When you visit Dr. Macdonald for a consultation, he performs a thorough exam and determines the cause of your eyelid droopiness. He then discusses your options, which may include blepharoplasty.
What eyelid surgery entails
If you both decide it’s right for you, Dr. Macdonald makes small incisions in the folds of your upper eyelids to access the internal tissues. If the surgery is to correct chronic puffiness in the lower lids, he enters through the inner surface of your lid — bonus: no visible scar. He then removes excess fat and skin and repositions muscles to give you a tighter, brighter, more refreshed look.
As with any surgery, the healing process takes time. You can expect the initial swelling and bruising to subside within a week, and once it does, you should see the full effects of your blepharoplasty.
With eyes wide open, you can project an air of youthful energy and alertness that were once hidden by your sagging lids. To change the message your eyes are communicating, schedule an appointment at Aesthetic Surgery Center today by calling our friendly staff or requesting a consultation online.