The New Year is a time to press reset and give yourself a fresh start. If you are looking to refresh your appearance, you may be considering starting with the most prominent feature of your face: Your eyes. If aging or genetics have left your eyes looking tired, puffy, or saggy, we can help you awaken a more youthful appearance for 2019.
Thanks to advancements in cosmetic medicine, patients now have plenty of options when choosing how they want to go about their aesthetic enhancements. While surgery used to be the only way one could improve their facial appearance, newer non-surgical alternatives are now available and are highly popular among women and men.
This holds true when it comes to lower eyelid rejuvenation. Patients can now choose between a permanent traditional lower blepharoplasty or a temporary dermal filler treatment. Below, we explain how each of these treatments can alleviate a gaunt eye appearance:
Lower Blepharoplasty
Dr. Matt Hershcovitch has performed countless lower blepharoplasty procedures to help patients look younger and more alert. Depending on each patient’s specific needs, he uses either the transconjunctival or transcutaneous method. Both of these procedures achieve the same goal in the same manner but vary in incision location and overall scarring.
Transconjunctival
This method of lower blepharoplasty surgery requires Dr. Hershcovitch to create an incision along the lash line to remove extra skin, redistribute fat, and tighten loose muscle. While this method is considered to leave more scarring than the transcutaneous method, its scars are barely visible.
Transcutaneous
The transcutaneous method of lower blepharoplasty also removes extra skin, redistributes fat, and tightens loose muscle. However, the incisions are created inside the eyelid. This incision placement completely hides any scars left by the procedure.
After each of these methods are performed, patients can expect swelling, soreness, light sensitivity, blurry vision and feelings of tightness. These effects usually last about a week, and we recommend patients sleep with their head elevated and avoid too much screen and reading time. You can return to work after the first week of recovery is over, but strenuous activity should be postponed for a minimum of two weeks.
Dermal Fillers
Blepharoplasty surgery is a great treatment and permanent solution for undereye circles and a gaunt appearance. However, not all patients are open to or comfortable with surgery. With the introduction of dermal fillers as a solution to aged eyes, surgery is no longer the only option.
Dermal fillers such as Restylane and Radiesse can be injected into the tear trough to create volume where fat has been lost and promote collagen regeneration. When volume is added to the undereye area, patients experience a smoother transition from their eyes to cheeks and nose. This helps enhance the illusion of a younger, well-rested appearance.
When HA fillers are injected into the tear troughs, the doctor and patient have the advantage of reversing some or all of the effects with an enzyme solution until a satisfactory result is achieved. While this usually isn’t needed, many patients like to have the option.
Unlike blepharoplasty, patients do not need to schedule recovery time and can be back to their regular routine promptly after their treatments. Also, unlike blepharoplasty surgery, results are not permanent, and patients must schedule follow up appointments every year to maintain their results.
The best way to make an informed decision about your eyelid procedure is to schedule a consultation with the board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Matt Hershcovitch, by calling (818) 888-7878. During your visit, you will discuss your medical history and desired outcomes to decide which treatment is best for you. Call today to start refreshing your appearance for 2019!
