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Why Eyelid Surgery Is a More Popular Plastic Surgery Than You Realize

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popular eyelid surgeryIt may surprise you to learn that eyelid surgery was the second most popular cosmetic surgery in the US in 2020 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It was second only to rhinoplasty or nose surgery. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation procedures, I can confirm that eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is one of the most frequent surgeries I perform.

Interestingly, though, the average person doesn’t hear about eyelid surgery as often as they hear about other plastic surgeries like facelifts, liposuction, or breast augmentation – all of which were less popular than blepharoplasty in 2020. What makes eyelid surgery so popular for turning back the clock on facial aging and why don’t you hear about it as often? There are several reasons why you probably know more people who have had eyelid surgery than you realize.

Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery Can Treat Several Common Signs of Aging

Cosmetic eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is particularly common because it addresses signs of aging that many people develop at some point. In fact, depending on how it’s performed, this surgery can treat multiple signs of aging at one time.

First, the procedure addresses sagging skin above the upper eyelids. This sagging skin can give your eyes a “hooded” appearance, so they look more closed, more tired, and less friendly. Second, blepharoplasty can reduce sagging skin and lumps under the eyes that combine to create “bags” under your eyes.

These areas of your face age particularly quickly because the skin in these areas is already very thin. As it gets thinner due to natural aging, it’s less able to withstand wrinkling and sagging than your skin in other areas of your face.

Eyelid Surgery Results Are Often Subtle and Natural-Looking

For most patients, their goal with plastic surgery is to look better, brighter, and more youthful without making their results look obvious. While a skilled plastic surgeon can do this for any procedure, eyelid surgery tends to have a particularly discreet result when performed accurately.

My patients often say that after their eyelid surgery, people will tell them, “You look so much more well-rested or younger or happier but I can’t figure out why.” They might just think you’re sleeping better or managing stress better. All anyone will know is that you look wonderful, but they won’t know why. This is especially true for patients who have my Band Aid Eyelid Surgery, a minimally invasive version of this procedure, which is performed in-office with gentle numbing.

Eyelid Surgeries Can Leave Minimal or No Visible Scarring

For some plastic surgeries, the giveaway that a person has had the surgery is the scarring left behind. In the case of eyelid surgery, there is little or no visible scarring to indicate surgery.

For eyelid surgery on your lower eyelids to reduce under-eye bags, I can often make the incision inside the lower eyelid so that it isn’t visible to others. In other cases with lower eyelid surgery and with any upper eyelid surgery, I make precise incisions within the natural folds of the eyelids so the incision lines blend in well, making them difficult to see, especially for anyone who doesn’t know they exist.

This minimized scarring, along with the natural-looking results, makes eyelid surgery particularly discreet plastic surgery, so chances are that you’ve seen many people who have had blepharoplasty, but you didn’t realize it.

How to Experience the Benefits of Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery for Yourself

If you want to give your eyes a more youthful, rested, and welcoming appearance, even if you want to remain private about your surgery, my Band Aid Eyelid Surgery could be the ideal choice for you. With half the recovery time of a traditional blepharoplasty, this procedure is a simple and effective way to get the exceptional and natural-looking results you want.

To find out more, schedule an eyelid surgery consultation with me today at my Atlanta office. In the meantime, follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more cosmetic surgery tips.

4 Facts You Didn’t Know About Eyelid Surgery

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lady-checks-face-in-mirrorWhen people think of plastic surgery that helps a person look younger, they think of facelifts. As beneficial as facelifts and mini facelifts like my Band Aid Mini Facelift can be, those surgeries are designed to address specific signs of aging like sagging skin throughout the mid-face and lower face. There are a variety of other surgeries designed to address other signs of aging, and one particularly common facial rejuvenation procedure is eyelid surgery.

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure that you’ll rarely hear about in movies and TV shows, but it’s one of the most effective surgeries to address facial aging. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, one of my passions is educating prospective patients about their cosmetic options. In that interest, I’m spreading the word about eyelid surgery with four top facts most people don’t know about the procedure.

There Are Multiple Types of Eyelid Surgery

There are two key types of eyelid surgery: upper eyelid surgery, or upper blepharoplasty, and lower eyelid surgery, or lower blepharoplasty. Upper eyelid surgery removes excess sagging skin from your upper eyelids – sagging skin that gives the eyes a “hooded” or more closed appearance. Lower eyelid surgery, on the other hand, addresses sagging skin and “bags under the eyes” by treating the lower eyelids. Depending on the way your aging has progressed, a lower blepharoplasty can involve removing sagging skin from the lower eyelid, removing pads of fat that are protruding, or both.

Keep in mind that while there are two key types of eyelid surgery, there are a variety of techniques surgeons use for each of these surgeries. It’s also important to note that you can have both an upper eyelid surgery and a lower eyelid surgery because they address different cosmetic concerns. In fact, many patients can have these two procedures within the same surgery.

More People Have Had Eyelid Surgery Than You Realize

While many people haven’t heard of eyelid surgery, sometimes called an eyelid lift, it is an extremely popular procedure. In fact, according to The Aesthetic Society, blepharoplasty was the second most popular plastic surgery in the US in 2020, with over 325,000 procedures performed nationwide.

Eyelid Surgery Can Be Minimally Invasive

The idea of surgery and general anesthesia is intimidating to many people, and general anesthesia does lengthen the recovery time for surgery. Fortunately, most people who are candidates for eyelid surgery are also candidates for my minimally invasive version called Band Aid Eyelid Surgery. During this procedure, I use gentle numbing and minimally invasive techniques to perform the surgery in my medical office. While Band Aid Eyelid Surgery results are highly effective, they allow you to recover in about half the time compared to traditional blepharoplasty.

You Can Have Eyelid Surgery with Little or No Visible Scarring

One question every patient asks about cosmetic surgery is how much scarring they’ll have and how visible it will be. This is one of the unique advantages of eyelid surgery and Band Aid Eyelid Surgery: the procedure leaves little or no visible scarring.

During upper eyelid surgery, I make the incision discreetly within the natural folds of your upper eyelid. For lower eyelid surgery, in many cases, I can use incisions inside the lower eyelid so that they aren’t visible at all. If your surgery does require a visible incision, it will be hidden within your lower lash line.

If you have become frustrated with sagging skin above your eyes or bags under your eyes, Band Aid Eyelid Surgery is the ideal way to address these issues and achieve a more youthful, rested look with minimal recovery time. To find out if this procedure is an option for you, schedule an eyelid surgery consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy, at my Atlanta office. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more plastic surgery facts, tips, and insights.

Ask Dr. LeRoy: Questions About Brow Lift Surgery

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Because many internet publications present unreliable information about plastic surgery procedures, it can be difficult for patients to find real answers to their questions. Dr. John LeRoy believes that people deserve helpful responses from someone who is an experienced double board-certified plastic surgeon, so he has compiled a short list of frequently asked questions. In the following, he’ll answer some of the most common questions about brow lift surgery.

brow lift surgery, blepharoplasty, skin tightening, plastic surgery, aging What does a brow lift do?

The brow, or forehead, is an area of the face that shows signs of aging with the development of wrinkles, sagging skin and fine lines. A brow lift tightens and lifts skin to make your features look more youthful. It’s a very effective way to rejuvenate the top half of your face with one specialized procedure that provides proper brow placement.

Why does my brow sag as I age? 

As we age, our skin loses elasticity and firmness, and forehead muscles gradually weaken. This causes the brow to sag or droop over time. It’s a very common issue for both men and women, but it can cause feelings of self-consciousness.

Is there a mini version of a brow lift?

Because each person has a unique set of physical features, cosmetic procedures should be customized. This is the reasoning behind my Band Aid Brow Lift—a more subtle alternative to a traditional brow lift. A Band Aid Brow Lift has a shorter recovery time a lower cost, and is performed in-office with gentle numbing, so it’s a popular option among many patients. During an in-person consultation at our office, we can determine which procedure is the most well-suited for your needs.

What is it like to get a mini Brow Lift?

Like all of my Band Aid procedures, Band Aid Brow Lifts are performed in-office with gentle numbing since it’s less invasive than other traditional surgical options. Our whole office places a huge emphasis on patient-experience, so you’ll be treated like family during your consultation visit and procedure.

When do the results from a Brow Lift or mini Brow Lift show up?

Since each patient has different cosmetic goals and facial features, there isn’t a universal length of time that people can expect for the results to appear. The full extent of positive changes after a traditional brow lift typically take a few weeks or months, but they typically appear soon after a Band Aid mini brow lift.

If you have any questions or if you’d like to schedule an appointment, call Dr. John LeRoy’s office at 404.843.0840. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more plastic surgery information and the latest on our cosmetic specials!

Ask Dr. LeRoy I Get Plenty of Sleep but My Eyes Still Look Tired. What Can I Do

Ask Dr. LeRoy: I Get Plenty of Sleep but My Eyes Still Look Tired. What Can I Do?

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When people hear the term “facial rejuvenation,” they tend to think of procedures that make patients look younger, but that isn’t all it encompasses. The category of facial rejuvenation also includes treatments that help people look more refreshed and well-rested. In fact, I often see patients who say that even when they get plenty of sleep, they always look tired. They want their appearance to reflect energy and positivity, so they’ve come to me for help, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Ask Dr. LeRoy I Get Plenty of Sleep but My Eyes Still Look Tired. What Can I Do

Lower eyelid surgery for “puffiness” or “bags” under the eyes

Sometimes puffiness under the eyes can be temporary, caused by fluid retention, allergies, or irritation. If yours is more of a permanent fixture, however, it’s most likely caused by a shifting of the natural fat pads under your eyes. It’s common for these fat pads to move forward or lower as we age, and this can lead to some unwanted volume and “bags under the eyes,” especially when the skin has become thinner and more lax with time.

The only way to achieve a long-term and effective relief from puffiness or bags under the eyes is with lower eyelid surgery, also called lower blepharoplasty. It’s actually a rather minimally invasive procedure (especially if you’re a candidate for my in-office Band Aid Lower Blepharoplasty). Through small incisions near or within the lower lash line, the excess fat is removed and, if necessary, excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is given a lift.

Upper eyelid surgery for drooping upper eyelids

When people feel that they have droopy eyelids, the problem is not always the eyelids themselves but the skin above them and below the eyebrows. Some people naturally have extra skin in this area, but developing excess sagging skin is also a common sign of aging, so it’s amplified even more for people with naturally “hooded” eyelids. Ultimately, this extra skin can droop over the upper eyelids and make the eyes look less open (and therefore less awake and less cheerful).

Similar to lower blepharoplasty, I often perform upper eyelid surgery with my in-office minimally invasive version called Band Aid Eyelid Surgery, which uses gentle numbing rather than general anesthesia for a much shorter recovery period. During the procedure, the excess sagging skin is removed and the eyelids are given a more rested, youthful look while still remaining natural.

Facial fillers and/or Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing for dark circles under the eyes

There are a few different potential causes for dark circles under the eyes. The problem that affects people of all ages is shadowing. If your facial structure involves deep-set eyes, a protruding brow, and/or hollows under your eyes, it can shadow the area under your eyes to look darkened. For many patients, the solution to this is using facial fillers (like Juvéderm®, Restylane®, and others) to fill in the hollow area under the eyes. It’s a quick and simple procedure for an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, and the results can last anywhere from 6 months to a year depending on which filler is used.

In other patients, dark circles under the eyes can be caused by thinning skin – a common part of the aging process. In these cases, my Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing uses the advanced DOT™ fractionated laser to stimulate collagen production and restore the skin to a thicker, firmer, brighter look.

No one wants to hear, “You look so tired,” or “Are you sick?” especially when they’re not. Certain natural features and signs of aging have a way of making anyone look sleep-deprived, but I’m happy to help you get back to the confident and well-rested appearance you once had. Remember, every patient is unique, so an in-person consultation is always needed to find out the best cosmetic options for your needs. To take that first step, schedule a plastic surgery or nonsurgical consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, too, for more helpful cosmetic surgery tips.

Atlanta Eyelid Surgery

All About the Eyes

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Your eyes are the major focal point of your face, so it can be particularly frustrating that they are also more vulnerable to aging than most other areas, thanks to the many movements they make throughout the day and the naturally thin skin around them. The good news is that there are ways to turn back the clock and give your eyes a more youthful and energized look. Everyone ages in their own way, but as a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I offer a variety of methods to address the unique ways each patient ages around their eyes.

Atlanta Eyelid SurgeryFor “hooded” eyelids:

The upper eyelids develop a “hooded” appearance when the skin above the upper eyelid sags over the eyelid itself. This can be impacted by genetics, but it also tends to occur or worsen as the skin ages and becomes less firm, ultimately making one or both eyes look less open, less awake, and even less friendly. Upper eyelid surgery (or upper blepharoplasty) is a surgery which removes a small amount of the sagging skin, restoring a more youthful look. For some patients, this can be done with my minimally invasive Band Aid Blepharoplasty, which is performed in-office with gentle numbing for reduced recovery time.

For “bags under the eyes”:

We all have small deposits of fat beneath our eyes, but heredity and aging can cause these deposits to extend forward, “puffing up” below the eyes. Especially when combined with the natural thinning and sagging of the skin with age, these deposits create the appearance of “bags under the eyes.” Band Aid Lower Eyelid Surgery, traditional lower blepharoplasty, or transconjunctival lower eyelid surgery (using an incision inside the lower eyelid to leave no visible scarring) can address these concerns by removing the unneeded fat deposits and restoring firmness to the lax skin if needed.

For dark circles under the eyes:

While they make you look sleep-deprived, dark circles under the eyes are a persistent problem for some patients regardless of how well-rested they are. Depending on your specific needs, this may be improved by using facial filler injections into the hollow below the eye. Whether it’s performed with Restylane®, Juvéderm®, or another specific formula, this restores a natural-looking and youthful plumpness to the area in order to reduce the “sunken” look and the shadows it creates. However, because of the complex anatomy in this area, these injections should only be performed by someone who is highly qualified and experienced in the procedure, such as a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial procedure. For some patients, the best option may be Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing. Using a precise “dot” pattern of laser columns, this treatment eases a number of surface skin imperfections while restoring skin-firming collagen.

For wrinkles around the eyes:

Most wrinkles around the eyes (like crow’s feet and frown lines) are caused by a combination of two major factors: repeated facial expressions leading to tense muscles, and a loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin. Fortunately, there are remedies for both of these issues. Botox® and Dysport® injections temporarily relax the underlying facial muscles, causing fine lines and creases to even out. To restore the firmness of the skin, Band Aid Skin Tightening uses controlled warmth to rebuild skin-firming collagen in a non-surgical and non-invasive way which is gentle enough to be used around the eyes.

While any one of these aesthetic concerns can put a dent in a person’s self-confidence, many of my patients suffer from several of them at once. In these cases, most eye rejuvenation methods can be combined and performed either at the same time or as part of a multi-step process. To discuss how I may be able to help you be your most confident and beautiful self, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more cosmetic tips and information about aesthetic treatments, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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