The first place people tend to look upon meeting you is at your eyes. Do you look tired all the time? Unfortunately, our eye area often shows our age due to volume loss and loss of elasticity. These changes go hand in hand with ageing, resulting in bags under the eyes, dark circles, droopy eyelids, wrinkles and skin having a dull, lackluster appearance. When patients come to me and they are considering options for eyelid rejuvenation options, or what we call the periorbital region, I need to consider non-surgical and surgical options to address the brow, the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid.
Medical grade skincare programs, such as chemical peels or laser resurfacing, can help address fine lines and wrinkles around the eye and give the eye a refreshed appearance. Cosmetic injectables are another good solution. Let’s talk about the two most popular options that we have used with great success in our clinic.
For patients wanting a long-lasting solution, there are a number of surgical options to be considered.
See the Non-Surgical Photo Gallery for examples
It is well known that with ageing, there is a loss of volume behind the brow as well as descent of the brow and the attractive arch appearance of the brow can be lost. Surgical rejuvenation of the brow is designed not necessarily to elevate the brow and create a startled appearance, but more so to create a pleasing arch to the brow with the outer brow being higher than the inner brow and also reflecting fullness in volume.
Combinations of volume restoration, such as fat injections, can be used to plump the brow and elevation of the brow can be used to address the inner brow, middle brow or outer brow through surgical procedures such as a temporal brow lift or endoscopic brow lift or a full open brow lift.
The key to surgical rejuvenation of the brow, is an individualised approach addressing the patient’s specific needs.
With the signs of ageing and laxity of skin, there can be excess skin in the upper eyelid that hangs over the upper eyelid crease. The area of skin between the upper eyelid crease and the eyelashes is known as the tarsal platform and this is where women often wear eye shadow. If excess skin stops women wearing eye shadow, the tarsal platform is covered by excess skin and this can be addressed by removing the excess skin in the form of upper blepharoplasty.
If the excess skin extends out onto the eye socket on the outer part of the eye, the incision can be extended to address what we term lateral hooding to remove that excess fold of skin that sits in over the crow’s feet.
The lower eyelid is made up of three components, being the outer layer of skin, the middle layer of muscle and the inner layer of fat. Surgical eyelid rejuvenation options will sometimes need to address only the fat and this can be performed via a transconjunctival, lower blepharoplasty with the incision inside the eyelid.
The excess fat can be removed or it can be repositioned to fill the tear trough and create a seamless junction between the eyelid and the cheek. If the problem is related to excess skin on the lower eyelid, then that will need to be addressed with removal of skin and the incision is then located under the eyelashes, often with an extension out into one of the crow’s feet at the side of the eyes.
Subciliary or transconjunctival blepharoplasty are the terms we use to describe eyelid surgery when it is performed from the outside through the skin (subciliary) or from the inside to address the fat (transconjunctival).
It normally takes around a week to 10 days for any swelling to subside following surgery to the eyelids. As the swelling can affect vision, it’s a good idea to take at least a week off work, if not two.
As with all surgery, there are things you can do to speed up your recovery time, like plenty of bed rest, limiting physical activity, eating well, drinking plenty of fluids and getting lots of sleep. Clear your work schedule and social commitments for the advised length of time and follow Dr Hunt’s instructions to ensure you recover speedily and with no complications.
Dr Jeremy Hunt is specialist plastic surgeon performing breast, body, face and nose surgery in Australia.
He is a member of FRACS & ASPS and has over 20 years of experience providing plastic surgery in Sydney.
Careful, considerate and honest, Dr Jeremy Hunt works with you to find a solution that is optimal for your body and your lifestyle.
Dr Hunt’s personal, one-on-one service and attention to detail has given thousands of women and men from the Sydney & Wollongong NSW area and across Australia the aesthetic results they desire.
Dr Jeremy A Hunt MBBS FRACS graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Sydney University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgery. He completed a Fellowship at the prestigious University of Texas in the United States, where he learnt from some of the world’s very best plastic surgeons.
Want more information before scheduling your consultation?
If Eyelid Rejuvenation is something you’re considering, Dr Hunt can thoroughly explain all the options to you in a one-on-one consultation.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health professional.