Many forms of facial aging don’t simply make us look older, but also make us look more tired or unhappy. In the case of patients who have aging throughout the upper third of their faces, this is often their true concern. Between sagging skin, forehead lines, and other signs of aging, they may look like they’re either unfriendly or exhausted, even when they’re feeling cheerful and energetic. For this reason, patients often ask me, are these problems better treated with a brow lift or eyelid surgery?
Most patients think they can kill two birds with one stone by getting a brow lift, because it can make their eyes look more open while also rejuvenating their forehead. The problem, though, is that patients underestimate the difference between the severity of a brow lift and an eyelid lift. To learn about the approach I typically take to give patients the best balance between results and recovery time, check out my recent video below:
Every plastic surgery patient would love to just fast forward to their results, but the path to your best results starts long before your surgery. The first step is to find a board-certified plastic surgeon you can trust and identify the ideal procedure to fit your needs. To get started on this journey, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy in Atlanta. For more plastic surgery tip, informational videos, and more, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
We’ve all had a restless night or two that has left us with puffiness under our eyes. But it’s not uncommon to notice a more permanent appearance of “bags under the eyes” begin to develop, especially as the aging process wears on. It can be frustrating to hear comments like “you look so tired” because of these unwanted “pillows,” especially if you’re actually feeling energized and joyful. But what exactly causes under-eye bags to appear, and what can you do about them?
Causes of Under-Eye Bags
When under-eye baggage is long-lasting and persistent, the short answer is that it’s caused by aging, but there are a number of different ways the aging process contributes. By design, we all have fat deposits beneath our eyes for support. As we get older, the muscles and other tissue around these fat deposits weaken, and these weakened barriers allow the fat deposits to extend forward, creating a bulge beneath the skin. At the same time, the skin itself is becoming thinner and looser, and we’re losing volume from the cheeks and surrounding facial areas, all of which just makes the bulge that much more apparent. Fortunately, this combination of factors doesn’t happen to everyone, but it does tend to run in families.
While aging-related bags under the eyes are consistent from one day to the next, keep in mind that there are other factors which can make them look more prominent on a temporary basis, too. Fluid retention can make the area look puffy, so it may help to cut back on salty foods. Inflammation and allergies can also contribute to the appearance of under-eye bags, so avoid rubbing your eyes as much as possible and see an allergist if necessary.
How to Fix Bags Under the Eyes
The only way to truly resolve under-eye bags is through a cosmetic surgery called blepharoplasty (also known as lower eyelid surgery). While the word “surgery” may sound daunting, here’s the good news:
Results are typically permanent, so you should only have to have the procedure once.
The procedure leaves little or no visible scarring. In some cases, the incision is made just below the lash line, so it’s easily concealed within the natural creases of the eyelid. But for patients who solely need fat deposits removed (and who don’t need to reduce sagging skin), the incision can actually be made inside the eyelid, so there is no visible scar.
The results are highly successful, predictable, and natural-looking. Patients generally say that they don’t look “plastic” or “like they’ve had work done,” they simply look like a more well-rested and pleasant version of themselves.
For some patients, the surgery can actually be done in-office using gentle numbing and local anesthesia as my Band Aid Blepharoplasty. This minimally invasive procedure uses specialized techniques to dramatically reduce the recovery time and the cost compared to a traditional eyelid surgery.
Let’s be honest: some things about aging are just not fun experiences. Between the aches and the pains, as well as the cosmetic issues, it’s enough to make anyone want to turn back the clock. But at least there are actions you can take to keep it to a minimum by both repairing some of the effects aging has already had and by slowing the progression in the future. To learn more, schedule a consultation with me, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more helpful tips and interesting plastic surgery information, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Many of my plastic surgery patients start out by going through a similar process. They notice something they dislike about their appearance, and as time goes by, it bothers them more and more. They may try a few home remedies or change their skincare routine, but they don’t see as much improvement as they were hoping for. Eventually, they arrive at a point when they decide to take control and have the issue professionally treated but now they need to figure out how. Patients who want to reduce signs of aging within the upper portion of their face, for instance, have several different options to choose from, so read on for an easy-to-use breakdown which can help you begin your research.
you have excess sagging skin throughout your forehead. In some cases, this may even interfere with your vision.
your brow line is lower than it used to be, especially if it’s lower than your natural brow bone.
you have particularly deep creases across your forehead.
Special Note: For most patients, a minimally invasive Band Aid Brow Lift can achieve the results they want in-office with gentle numbing, as opposed to a more extensive brow lift.
You may want an eyelid lift (or blepharoplasty) or Band Aid Eyelid Surgery
your brow line hasn’t drooped, but you have draping skin above your upper eyelids, giving your eyes a “hooded” look.
you have bags under your eyes.
the area of skin below your eyes looks puffy, even after a good night’s sleep or later in the day.
your lower eyelids have deep creases or have sagged to expose the whites of your eyes below your iris.
Special Note: Band Aid Blepharoplasty produces similar results to a traditional eyelid surgery, but it’s a minimally invasive procedure which is performed in-office with gentle numbing. Your choice between these two will depend on the extent of your aging as well as your medical needs, priorities, and personal preferences.
You may want Botox® injections
you have fine lines or wrinkles across your forehead, in the corners of your eyes (“crow’s feet”), or in between your eyebrows (“frown lines” or “number elevens”).
your brow line hasn’t lowered and you don’t have excess skin on your forehead.
you aren’t ready for surgery, and are looking for an option with little or no recovery time instead.
you’ve already had a facial rejuvenation surgery, like a brow lift or a facelift, and want to keep your results looking youthful.
you are just starting to see forehead lines developing, and you want to limit them from becoming worse.
While this guide can be a helpful way to narrow your options, remember that ultimately, you should make your decision after consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon. After specializing in facial rejuvenation for over 20 years, I’m happy to listen to your concerns, evaluate your needs, and design a recommended course of action to give you the best possible results. To start your journey toward becoming your most confident and beautiful self, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy at (404) 843-0840. Or, for more helpful tips and that latest updates in the world of plastic surgery, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Looking at someone’s eyes can usually give you an accurate prediction of their age, unless of course you’re looking into the eyes of one of my blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) patients. With age, the eyelids begin to wrinkle and droop: producing a tired, matured appearance. Blepharoplasty can enhance the eyes by removing the excess skin and tissue contributing to an aged look.
During a traditional blepharoplasty procedure, I remove the excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids depending on the patient’s needs. Some patients have a hooded appearance due to sagging upper eyelids that warrants an upper lid blepharoplasty. Other patients only need a lower lid blepharoplasty to get rid of fat pockets and wrinkles on their lower eyelids, but when necessary I perform a dual procedure to remedy both effects.
It sounds like there are quite a few options for eyelid rejuvenation already, doesn’t it? However, I also perform Band Aid Blepharoplasty. Just like the rest of my Band Aid procedures (Band Aid Liposuction, Band Aid Tummy Tuck, Band Aid Brow Lift, and Band Aid Facelift), the Band Aid Blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive version of the traditional blepharoplasty that is performed right in my office with gentle numbing (local anesthesia). Band Aid Eyelid Surgery is well-suited for patients whose appearance doesn’t quite warrant the traditional blepharoplasty procedure.
Did you know that an aged eye appearance can be caused by wrinkles and sagging skin of the brow too? I often see patients for a blepharoplasty consultation only to conclude that their areas of concern actually call for a brow lift or Band Aid Brow Lift. A brow lift removes the excess sagging and drooping skin of the forehead to lift the eyebrows and give the eyes a more youthful appearance.
If you’re concerned with the look of your eyes, but still aren’t sure which one of these facial rejuvenation procedures will produce the results you’re looking for, schedule a consultation so I can help determine the right procedure for you. Also, be sure to check out the rest of my website and stay tuned to my blog to learn more about the other cosmetic procedures I offer.
You may want a brow lift or a 
Looking at someone’s eyes can usually give you an accurate prediction of their age, unless of course you’re looking into the eyes of one of my