Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that aims to improve the appearance of the eyelids. It involves reshaping the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing excess fat, skin, and muscle. Many people consider getting blepharoplasty because they want to achieve a more youthful, rejuvenated look. So it’s understandable that a common question is: will I look younger after getting blepharoplasty? Let’s take a deeper look at what blepharoplasty can and can’t do when it comes to helping you achieve a more youthful appearance.
How blepharoplasty can help you look younger
There are a few key ways that blepharoplasty can help give you a more youthful look:
Removes excess eyelid skin
As we age, our skin loses elasticity and excess skin can start to droop and sag. Blepharoplasty removes this excess eyelid skin which can make the eyes appear less tired and more open. Opening up the eyes in this way creates a more alert, youthful look.
Reduces under eye bags/dark circles
Under eye bags and dark circles can add years to our appearance. Blepharoplasty can remove the fat pockets that cause under eye bags as well as improve dark circles by tightening the thin skin around the eyes. This refreshes and brightens the eye area.
Evens out eyelid asymmetry
Our eyes can begin to appear more asymmetric as we get older. Eyelid skin can start to sag more severely on one eye compared to the other. Blepharoplasty can improve symmetry by evening out any imbalances between the eyes. symmetry is associated with youthfulness.
Raises drooping eyelids
As the muscles around our eyes weaken and stretch with age, upper eyelids can start to droop down over the eyes. This gives the eyes a tired, sad appearance. Blepharoplasty can remove excess muscle and reinforce tissues to lift droopy eyelids back up to a more open, youthful position.
Eliminates tired eyes
Heavy upper eyelids that obstruct the eyes can make us appear constantly tired. Blepharoplasty eliminates that tired look by opening up the field of vision and allowing the eyes to look more bright, well-rested, and alert.
Factors that influence how much younger you can look
While blepharoplasty can take years off your face, how much younger you will look depends on a few factors:
Your age and skin elasticity
Younger patients who get blepharoplasty in their 30s or 40s when their skin still has decent elasticity will likely achieve a more dramatic youthful transformation than older patients. With more resilient skin, results can last longer. Older patients over 60 can still rejuvenate their eyes, but results may be a bit more subtle.
Lifestyle factors like smoking and sun exposure
Smoking and excessive sun exposure can accelerate wrinkling and aging of the delicate skin around the eyes. If you have significant sun damage or smoking lines, blepharoplasty can still help but you may not achieve as youthful a look compared to someone who has taken better care of their skin.
Your expectations
Blepharoplasty can take years off your appearance but cannot radically change your age. Having realistic expectations is important. The procedure can help you achieve a well-rested, vibrant appearance for your age rather than trying to take decades off your face.
Combining procedures
For optimal rejuvenation, blepharoplasty is often combined with other procedures like brow lift, facelift, or laser skin resurfacing. Addressing the brows, midface, and overall skin quality in addition the eyes can help maximize a youthful transformation.
Preparing for surgery
There are a few key things you can do before surgery to prepare:
- Stop smoking at least 6 weeks before surgery to optimize healing
- Avoid certain blood thinning medications like aspirin which can increase bleeding risk
- Arrange a ride home and help around the house for the first few days after surgery
- Stock up on soft, nutritious food you can eat while recovering
Following all of your surgeon’s pre-op instructions can help set you up for the best results and recovery experience.
The blepharoplasty procedure
On surgery day, here’s an overview of what you can expect:
Anesthesia
Blepharoplasty is typically performed using intravenous sedation or general anesthesia depending on your needs and preferences. This will keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
Incision technique
Your surgeon will make small incisions in inconspicuous places, like within the natural eyelid creases or just below the lash line. This helps minimize visible scarring.
Reshaping the eyelids
Through the incisions, excess fat, loose muscle, and skin will be removed or repositioned. For upper blepharoplasty, your surgeon may also reinforce connective tissues to firm up a droopy brow. The incisions are then closed with fine sutures.
Procedure time
Blepharoplasty takes 1-3 hours depending on whether upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both are addressed. It is often done as an outpatient procedure but you may stay overnight if combined with other more complex surgeries.
Recovery
Here’s an overview of what to expect during blepharoplasty recovery:
First 24 hours
Keep your head elevated on several pillows to minimize swelling. Use ice packs intermittently to help soothe swelling and bruising. Take any prescribed pain medication as directed. Rest, but get up every few hours to walk around which promotes healing. Keep incisions clean and dry.
First week
Swelling and bruising peaks around day 3 before starting to improve. Discomfort and tightness will decrease each day. Avoid rubbing your eyes or exerting yourself. Keep incisions clean. Your surgeon will remove any external sutures and approve you to start using moisturizing eye drops to relieve dryness.
Second week
You can start going out in public again once bruising fades enough, usually within 7-10 days. Swelling continues to go down making results more visible. You may feel numbness or tingling which is normal and will dissipate.
First month
Most patients are back to work and normal routine but avoid strenuous exercise for 3-4 weeks. Incisions have usually fully healed at this point. While continual gradual settling can occur for months, results are mostly visible within 4 weeks.
Long-term results
With proper skin care and sun protection, blepharoplasty results can last 7-10 years or longer. But natural aging will still continue to gradually occur. Maintaining your youthful eye rejuvenation may eventually require a touch-up procedure down the road.
Pros and cons of blepharoplasty
Like any procedure, weighing the pros and cons can help decide if blepharoplasty is right for you:
Pros
- Can make eyes appear years younger
- Makes you look more refreshed and awake
- Boosts self-confidence
- Technically easier to perform than a full facelift
- Incisions are hidden within natural creases
- Relatively short recovery time
Cons
- Does not address signs of aging in other facial areas
- Risks include infection, bleeding, vision changes, and anesthesia risks
- Can cause temporary blurred vision, swelling, bruising and discomfort
- Results may not be as dramatic for older patients with more extensive aging
Conclusion
Blepharoplasty can help turn back time and take years off your eyes by removing excess skin, reducing under eye bags, lifting droopy lids, and opening up a tired gaze. Patients in their 30s to 50s or those with good elasticity tend to achieve the most youthful transformations. While blepharoplasty alone cannot radically change your age, combining it with procedures like facelift and resurfacing can maximize rejuvenation. If you have reasonable expectations for your age group, protect your investment through proper skincare, and maintain a healthy lifestyle, blepharoplasty can help you achieve a more wide awake, vibrant, youthful look for years to come.