Surgical and Non-Surgical Options in Eye Rejuvenation
Our eyes have been celebrated in literature, poetry and art for thousands of years for good reason. They are the focal point of the human face. The gateway to how our mood and character is both read and expressed. Yet, they are some of the most delicate and vulnerable features of our face, where surrounding skin oftentimes shows advanced aging and damage. How does one know when a surgical versus a non-surgical option is appropriate to keep our eyes looking as youthful and vibrant as we feel?
“The eyes are of the most inviting and memorable components of our face; unfortunately, they are also one of the first parts to show the signs of aging,” laments Dr. Christopher Tolan, a board-certified ENT/Facial Plastic Surgeon with Midwest Facial Plastic Surgery. “Patients often come to me complaining of excess skin, droopy eyelids, and puffy under eyes,” shares Dr. Tolan. He continues, “In advanced cases, patients need to tilt their head back to read a book due to heavy eyelids, and female patients even say they have difficulty applying mascara!”
Loss of elasticity, sagging, drooping and puffiness are, unfortunately, all normal signs of aging in the eye area. As time passes, our collagen and elastin (the building block of our skin that keep it full, firm and tight) breaks down causing looseness and sagging. This can lead to heavy upper & lower eyes lids, and eyebrows. We can lose this volume under the eye area as well, leading to a ‘hollowed out’ and gaunt appearance. The natural fat pad under our eye can also bulge and lend itself to a puffy, fallen and ‘tired’ look. In addition, we progressively lose bone density in this area, which can lead to a flattened appearance.
“For many of my patients, the progression of aging in the eye area is genetic,” states Dr. Tolan, “if one of your parents’ eye areas has aged a certain way, yours most likely will too, “he concludes. “Fortunately, we have both non-surgical and surgical approaches to deal with these signs of aging, regardless of it they are genetic or environmental in their origin,” continues Dr. Tolan.
Enter, dermal fillers. Often thought to only be used in the lips or cheeks, dermal fillers such as Allergan’s new Volbella, are quickly becoming industry standards in enhancing the appearance of the eyes and putting off the need for surgical intervention in some cases.
“For patients concerned about the gaunt and hollowed out appearance under their eyes, I will commonly start with a dermal filler like Volbella,” says Dr. Tolan. “In cases such as these, we simply restore the lost volume and smooth the appearance of any crepey skin,” he continues, “patients love this because they leave with results that are immediate and that last for up to 6-12 months!” He goes on, “Surgery can’t improve the appearance of fine lines around the eyes, but Botox and dermal fillers can have a dramatic affect for these subtler signs of eye aging.”
When there is simply too much skin and drooping, dermal filler will do very little to improve the appearance, and surgical intervention will be most beneficial. Blepharoplasty is the name of the surgery to remove excess skin and/or bulging from the upper or lower eyelids. During this procedure, a surgeon may remove or reposition small amounts of fat, skin and muscle to give you a more refreshed and youthful appearance. Incisions are discreetly made either to the upper contour of the upper lid, or through the inside of the lower eyelid. The results are a smoother, tighter and overall more refreshed appearance.
“Every patient is quite literally as unique as their eyes!” laughs Dr. Tolan. “It is imperative that we do a full consultation before assessing which options will yield the best and most natural results,” he states. “In all honesty, it is one of my most favorite surgeries to perform,” he continues, “the eyes are so intimate in nature and to have patients tell me that who they see in the mirror finally reflects how they FEEL inside again is so gratifying.”
Have questions about which method of eye rejuvenation may be right for you? Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Christopher Tolan or Dr. Garrett Griffin to discuss both your surgical and non-surgical options! 651-632-9700