The area around the eyes, referred to as the periorbital area, is often the first part of the face that shows signs of aging. Patients may complain of wrinkles called crows feet, of looking tired, or of having heavy or droopy lids or undereye bags. There are different ways of addressing each one of these issues, with some of the procedures offering the best results when performed concurrently.
- Upper eyelids:
- heavy or droopy eyelids can make us look tired or angry;
- an upper eyelid lift or blepharoplasty will remove excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper lids to restore a more rested appearance and more youthful contour
- in some patients, ptosis correction may be necessary to fully correct the drooping lid
- a brow lift may be performed in conjunction with the blepharoplasty in patients who need reposition the eyebrows
- Lower eyelids:
- typical complaints include undereye bags, prominent tear trough deformity, and loose crepey skin
- lower eyelid lift or blepharoplasty removes excess fat, skin, and muscle from the lower eyelid
- in younger patients, fillers or fat injections can camouflage a prominent tear trough and hide the lid cheek junction
- in older patients, additional procedures such as canthopexy may be required to correct lower lid position
- skin resurfacing may be performed with chemical peels or laser treatment
- Wrinkles:
- most often the crows feet and frown lines are part of the visible signs of aging around the eyes
- Botox injections diminish muscle activity and reduce wrinkling
- chemical peels, laser, and microneedling with or without PRP are skin rejuvenation options designed to improve skin tone and appearance
- Maintenance:
- a home skin care regimen with sunscreen, retin-A, and mild exfoliation is key to preventing sun damage and prolonging the effects of any in office treatment
- regular office visits to your plastic surgeon’s office for nonsurgical treatments including Botox, fillers, microneedling, or chemical peels increase longevity of surgical eyelid lifts and anti-aging procedures
- Complementary procedures:
- eyelid rejuvenation is often performed in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures such as facelift, necklift, rhinoplasty, and breast enhancement surgery
- in men, special techniques are used to ensure a masculine appearance while helping them looking younger
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is a board certified female plastic surgeon in NYC with advanced fellowship training in aesthetic surgery. Her practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side is dedicated to cosmetic plastic surgery of the face, breast, and body. Her office off Park Avenue features a fully AAAASF certified Operating Room for the safety, privacy, and convenience of her patients. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hutchinson, please contact us or call us at (212) 452-1400.
