The eyes are one of the first things people notice when they look at you. They are also one of the first areas where the signs of aging show up. This looks different for everyone. Common signs of aging around the eyes include fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and puffiness. Hollowness and under-eye bags can also impact your appearance. Several options can help address aging around the eyes. Many patients choose eyelid surgery combined with dermal fillers for facial rejuvenation.
Combining Eyelid Surgery With Dermal Fillers for Facial Rejuvenation
Eyelid surgery with dermal fillers targets different parts of the issue. Together, they create a more balanced, natural result. Upper eyelid surgery removes the excess skin and fat in the upper eyelids. If needed, the upper eyelid muscle is also tightened. Lower eyelid surgery removes the excess skin and either removes or repositions the fat. Fillers restore lost facial volume. Over time, volume naturally decreases in several areas of the face, including around the eyes. For many patients, eyelid surgery and dermal fillers offer a more complete refresh.
What Eyelid Surgery Addresses
Upper eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, treats the area around the eyes. This may be the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. A board-certified oculoplastic surgeon can evaluate your eyes and determine the right option for you. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your unique needs.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Natural aging changes the upper eyelids. The skin often stretches and folds over the lash line. The extra skin on the upper eyelids can make your eyes look tired, heavy, and sad. It can also make you look much older than you are. While cosmetic issues are a common concern for patients, it can also cause functional issues. In advanced cases, upper eyelids can impact your vision. This can make daily tasks challenging.
Upper eyelid surgery can address these issues. It involves removing the excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids. In some cases, the upper eyelid muscle may also be tightened. This results in a smoother, more open upper eyelid. It also smooths out fine lines and softens wrinkles around the area.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
The lower eyelids also change as you age. This can be accelerated by poor lifestyle habits as well. The signs of aging on the lower eyelids can vary. Common signs include wrinkles, sagging skin, under-eye bags, and hollowness. Lower eyelid surgery removes excess skin from the under-eye area. The surgeon either removes the fat or repositions it to create a smoother under-eye area.
Lower eyelid surgery improves the under-eyes in several ways. It smooths the under-eyes, creating a seamless transition between the lower eyelids and the upper cheek. The results refresh the eyes, so you look awake and youthful. As with upper eyelid surgery, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is also softened around the under-eyes.
Dermal Fillers
Surgery tightens and reshapes the tissue around the eyes. However, it does not replace the lost volume. With age, the face loses fat, bone density, and collagen. This can significantly affect the area around your eyes. Hollowness can also affect the area around your cheeks and eyes. This can make you look tired, unhappy, and much older than you are. Dermal fillers can restore the appearance of hollowed-out areas. Below are some of the common areas dermal fillers are used to enhance the look of your eyelid surgery results.
Tear Trough
The tear trough is the groove that runs from the inner corner of the eye toward the cheek. As you get older, the groove can deepen and cause a shadow. This can make it look like you have deep, dark circles under your eyes. When combined with lower eyelid surgery, careful filler placement can soften the hollow. This can reduce the tired, aged appearance you may have developed.
Cheek and Midface
Dermal fillers in the cheek and midface can enhance the look of your lower eyelid surgery. Flat cheeks can make signs of aging under the eyes much more pronounced. Restoring midface volume supports the lower lid. It also creates a smoother transition between the lower eyelid and upper cheek. Many patients notice that their under-eyes look brighter and smoother.
How Combined Treatment Works
You may wonder what the treatment timeline looks like when you combine surgical and non-surgical options. Some patients want everything done the same day. However, others may prefer to space them apart. The right approach depends on your individual anatomy and aesthetic goals. The surgeon will also evaluate your skin quality and eye structure to determine the best course of action. This will be discussed at your consultation, so you are prepared on the day of your surgery.
Staggered Treatment
Many surgeons choose to perform eyelid surgery first. Swelling is common after eyelid surgery. They wait until the swelling fully settles before adding filler. Each patient heals differently so that the waiting period can vary. It can take weeks to months. Once the tissues heal, the surgeon can assess exactly where the volume was lost. From there, they can create a treatment plan using dermal filler to enhance your eyelid surgery results.
Same-Day Treatment
In some cases, both treatments are done at the same time. This is best if you plan to use filler in areas away from the surgical incisions. Fillers placed in the cheeks can often be done the same day. However, fillers close to the eyes are best done once you have healed from your initial surgery. Your surgeon will evaluate your eyes and skin quality and consider your aesthetic goals. From there, they will create a customized treatment plan based on your needs.
Top Board-Certified Oculoplastic Surgeon
Improving the signs of aging around the eyes can make you look years younger. To refresh your look, contact Dr. Murdock’s team today to schedule your consultation!
