Do you need upper or lower blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty Scottsdale
The eyes are a focal point of the face. The aging process can affect the eyes in a number of different ways, ranging from bags under the eyes to drooping eyelids. For those who have concerns about the appearance of the eyes, blepharoplasty is an option. This is a surgical procedure to refresh and rejuvenate the appearance of the eyes.
There are two types of blepharoplasty. They may have similar names, but they’re actually very different from each other, and are useful in different situations. How can you decide which one you need?
Upper blepharoplasty addresses sagging eyelids
The upper blepharoplasty procedure removes excess sagging skin from the upper eyelid. As the aging process causes tissues to lose their elasticity, the eyelids may begin to droop, leading to a tired and aged look. In more severe cases, the extra tissue may even cover part of the visual field.
During upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Caniglia makes an incision along the natural crease of the eyelid (so that the scar will be very well hidden). He removes any excess tissue, including skin as well as a thin strip of muscle tissue. Sometimes, there is excess fat tissue that also needs to be removed. He then repositions the remaining tissue to create a rejuvenated appearance.
In some cases, the sagging appearance of the upper eyelid is actually caused or exacerbated by the eyebrows drooping too low. They can compress the area of the upper eyelid, making it appear droopy. If this is the case, a forehead lift (or “brow lift”) can help to address this problem.
Lower blepharoplasty addresses bags under the eyes
Lower blepharoplasty is very different. As people age, the natural fat pads under the eyeballs begin to migrate, as the tissues that hold them in place become weaker. These fat pads can bulge out below the eyes, creating that characteristic “bags under the eyes” look.
During lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Caniglia prefers to make the incision inside of the lower eyelid in most patients, so that it will be invisible after healing. He will reposition the fat pads of the area to smooth out the appearance of the undereye area. Some tissue may also be removed, but it’s important not to remove too much, as this leads to an undesirable “hollowed out” look to the eyes. The incisions inside of the eyelids will heal on their own without sutures. If there is excess skin in the area that needs to be addressed, this can be done through a tiny incision hidden under the lower eyelashes.
The procedures can be combined
If you are concerned about both sagging of the upper eyelids and bags under the eyes, then it’s possible to combine upper and lower blepharoplasty into a single surgery to create a complete rejuvenation of the eye area. In some cases, a forehead lift may also be added, in order to address sagging or drooping eyebrows. This allows you to address multiple concerns about the eye area, without requiring an extra surgery and recovery time.
Blepharoplasty Scottsdale
If you’re considering having blepharoplasty Scottsdale or the surrounding area, then we invite you to come in for a consultation with specialist facial plastic surgeon Dr. Caniglia. Although many plastic surgeons perform these procedures, when it comes to the delicate eye area, it’s best to choose someone with special expertise in this region who performs these procedures on a regular basis. To schedule your appointment, simply contact our office.