Everyone has his or her days of looking tired. These days include puffy eyes that can make you feel self-conscious. As we get older, these days become the norm rather than the exception. If you’re finding that people ask you if you’ve gotten enough sleep on a regular basis, then it may be time to consider taking action and improving the appearance of your eyelids—often the culprit in making you look worn down and exhausted, even when you are wide awake.
How Eye Aging Makes You Look Tired
The eyes are often among the first areas to start showing signs of aging. As we age, the skin begins to thin due to the loss of collagen, a natural, essential structural component in the skin that lends youth and support. When collagen production slows down, the skin starts to sag, creating wrinkles and other problems that can make the face appear rapidly older. These issues in the eye area can lead to bags under the eyes as accumulated fat presses against the aging skin, and sagging skin over the eyes causes a hooded appearance, which can lend a tired and disdainful expression to the face.
Upper Blepharoplasty as a Solution
Blepharoplasty refers to cosmetic eyelid surgery, an extremely popular anti-aging procedure. There are two types of blepharoplasty: upper and lower. These focus on the upper or lower eyelids, and involve different goals. Upper blepharoplasty is mostly focused on excess skin that sags over the eyelids, affecting expression. By removing and tightening excess skin, upper blepharoplasty can improve resting expression and make the patient appear more awake, alert, and youthful. Upper and lower blepharoplasty can also be combined for overall rejuvenation that can address both excess skin of the upper eyelids and large bags beneath the eyes. Blepharoplasty can be a huge boon to self-esteem, and often makes the patient feel more confident and refreshed.
The Surgery and Recovery
Upper blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia in most cases. It can be performed on an outpatient basis in an office facility, making the procedure a great option for people who do not want an invasive surgery. During the procedure, excess skin and fat is removed, ensuring that enough is left to maintain a natural appearance. Depending on how extensive the procedure is, recovery can range from about 3-4 days to about two weeks.
Are You a Candidate?
Because eyelid surgery is a cosmetic and totally voluntary procedure, there are some strict requirements for candidacy. Safety is of utmost importance, and while most people are eligible to undergo the procedure, some factors can affect candidacy. Generally, good candidates for upper blepharoplasty are:
- In good health
- Non-smokers, or willing to quit weeks or months prior to the procedure
- Realistic about their expectations
- Not on certain essential medications
Finding Your Surgeon
Only you and a skilled facial plastic surgeon can determine whether upper blepharoplasty is a good option for you. If you would like to speak with an expert in the Austin area, come to Buckingham Center and meet with acclaimed facial plastic surgeon Dr. Edward Buckingham. Dr. Buckingham is an experienced and artistic surgeon, offering patients a customized experience, and natural-looking results. Call Buckingham Center today at 512-401-2500 to schedule your consultation.
