Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at improving the appearance of the eyelids. With its help, you can rejuvenate the skin, as well as eliminate cosmetic imperfections: drooping eyelids, bags under the eyes, changes in the shape and shape of the eyes.
The first blepharoplasty operation was performed in 1818. Since then, its popularity has been constantly gaining momentum. Many women and men can get the eyes and eyelids of their dreams with the help of blepharoplasty.
Indications for blepharoplasty
With age, the skin of the eyelids loses its elasticity, and the amount of subcutaneous fat increases in the eyelid area. As a rule, a person encounters such problems at the age of 30-35 years, but with poor genetics, the operation can be performed earlier. What problems can blepharoplasty help with:
- sagging skin of the upper eyelids;
- bags under the eye sockets;
- drooping of the outer and outer corners of the eyes;
- the appearance of a pronounced nasolacrimal groove;
- increase in adipose tissue;
- "crow's feet";
- pronounced wrinkles around the eyes.
In addition to age-related changes, blepharoplasty also helps to get rid of acquired or congenital defects of the eyelids and eyes, and corrects the contour.
Why does a man need eyelid surgery?
When it comes to eyelid surgery, there is no difference between men and women. This operation allows you to look ten years younger visually, gives a guaranteed and long-lasting result that lasts about 10 years, and for some even longer. However, there is no complete alternative to blepharoplasty. You can lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, use expensive creams, but the structure of your eyes or heredity will still play a cruel joke. And the person will have hernias under the eyes and drooping eyelids, which make the face gloomy, always dissatisfied and tired.
Types of blepharoplasty
Depending on the tasks, blepharoplasty can be:
- lower blepharoplasty;
- upper blepharoplasty;
- circular blepharoplasty;
- contour correction;
- exophthalmos;
- canthopexy.
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty
Upper blepharoplasty is performed in the upper eyelid area. Here the doctor excises excess skin and fat deposits. After the procedure, stitches are applied. After healing, it is difficult to see them even close up; this is facilitated, among other things, by the structure of the upper eyelids.
Upper blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty
Lower blepharoplasty is performed in two different ways: percutaneous and transconjunctival. In the first case, the doctor cuts the eyelid in the eyelash area and removes excess skin. In the second case, an incision is made on the mucous membrane of the eyelid. After this, excess fat deposits are removed. There is another type of lower blepharoplasty – intraoral blepharoplasty. The doctor gains access to the skin under the eyes through the oral cavity.
Lower blepharoplasty
If it is necessary to correct the entire eyelid, then they resort to circular blepharoplasty.
Correction of cut and shape, correction of Asian eye shape
Quite often, with the help of this type of blepharoplasty, too narrow eye shape is corrected.
Stages of blepharoplasty
Preparatory stage
At the first meeting with the doctor, the client voices the reason for the visit, as well as his wishes. At the clinic, he is given answers to all his questions. At the preparatory, preoperative stage, an anamnesis is collected and the necessary tests are taken. This is necessary in order to eliminate all factors that could adversely affect the client’s health after the operation. The operation is performed under general anesthesia, so the client is additionally advised by an anesthesiologist. Before the operation, the doctor takes photographs of the client’s eyelids in order to compare and see what results blepharoplasty gave.
Operational stage
If the client has been prescribed circumferential blepharoplasty, the operation begins with an incision in the upper eyelids. It is done using a laser. After removing excess skin and fat deposits, the bleeding is stopped and stitches are applied. The next step is to make an incision on the lower eyelids. The duration of the operation is from 40 minutes to 3 hours.
Recovery stage
Blepharoplasty is not long-term - after the operation the patient remains in the room for no more than 24 hours. The first 2 hours the eyes are covered with a bandage. Swelling and cyanosis in the eye area persist for another 3-4 days. Within a month, your eyes will look beautiful and healthy. There will be no trace left of the operation. On the fifth day, the sutures are completely removed. At first, the patient is prohibited from using cosmetics, as this negatively affects wound healing. Contact lenses (if the patient uses them) can continue to be worn only 14 days after the operation.
To speed up the wound healing process, the patient is prescribed the following procedures
- Wiping the skin around the eyes and eyelids with antiseptic preparations.
- Instillation of anti-inflammatory drops into the eyes.
- Limiting physical activity.
How long do the results of blepharoplasty last? If the client follows all the surgeon’s recommendations, the effect after surgery lasts for 5-10 years.
Possible complications
Basically, they occur after surgery, which requires blepharoplasty:
- bruises;
- infections;
- descent and eversion;
- dryness;
- scarring;
- change in the integrity of the seams.
The following complications that blepharoplasty can cause cause a lot of trouble:
Ectropion
Its formation is caused by the presence of open areas of the sclera after excision of a large area of skin. If this happens, the eyelid becomes deformed. As a rule, this deficiency is discovered during the operation. In this case, doctors cut off a small piece of skin from the upper eyelid and cover the open area with it.
If the problem was identified after surgery, the client is prescribed a special massage, gymnastics, which increases the tone of the orbicularis oculi muscle. Additional stitches are also placed on the eyelid. If the ectropion is severe, another plastic surgery is performed to correct this defect.
Subcutaneous hematoma
This type of complication can be eliminated without additional intervention. If the hematoma is very tense, then the immediate participation of a surgeon is required. An unremoved hematoma can cause the appearance of dense nodes and scarring of the skin of the eyelids.
Tearing
This complication occurs due to displacement of the lacrimal openings during surgery.
Diplopia
It occurs due to dysfunction of the motor muscles of the eyeballs. Diplopia occurs a couple of hours after the operation. Symptoms disappear only 2-3 weeks after surgery.
Retrobulbar hematoma
The complication is manifested in the following: the appearance of pain, limitation of movements of the eyeball, protrusion. To eliminate symptoms, the patient must be further examined by an ophthalmologist. He makes a diagnosis and determines a further treatment plan.
Complications can also occur after anesthesia. However, this only happens if the doctor did not take into account your body characteristics.
Which blepharoplasty is better, done with a laser or a scalpel?
Blepharoplasty can be performed either with a laser or with a scalpel. Laser surgery is more expensive than scalpel surgery. However, this option has several advantages. The laser beam makes a minimal incision. After the operation, the skin recovers faster, without complications. The healing period is also reduced and the risk of blepharoplasty is minimized. The skin tightens quickly and no scars form on the surface.
Smokey eyes for the New Year, combined with drooping eyelids
Preparation should be carried out using powder and other similar attributes of your cosmetics bag. The tones can include not only bed tones, but also some special or individual ones.
Sculptor and dark tones will help you create an imaginary fold. The real crease of your eyelid will remain unnoticed.
As for the cavity, it should be darkened. As a test, light pressure is used on the darkened area. If your brush fails, then the work was done successfully.
A soft, rounded brush will allow you to create makeup that looks organic from any angle, and you can soften the contour with the help of a shaded strip. It should be noted that with drooping eyelids, the shading is done very broadly, in a ratio of approximately 70 percent of the fixed area.
Next, the shadows are applied on the outer corners and under the eyelashes on the lower eyelids. To get a “cat” silhouette, you should draw a thin tail with a gentle movement of your hand and shade its middle. As a result, you will get a neat shadow arrow.
Shadows of a light palette will allow the pattern to be duplicated throughout the rest of the eyelid. But the outline will not touch the border. After applying all the necessary cosmetics, the resulting range of colors is gently shaded.
The main part is covered with light tones. Next comes shading, drawing an arrow and completing the lower eyelid. If you wish, you can carry out permanent makeup for the eyelids, separate permanent makeup for the upper eyelid, permanent makeup for the eyelids and arrows, as well as makeup for small eyelids.
The technique does not depend on the color of the eyes or their shape!
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Blepharoplasty, before and after photos
Upper blepharoplasty “before” and “after” photos
Upper blepharoplasty photos before and after surgery
Lower blepharoplasty photos before and after surgery
Lower blepharoplasty “before” and “after” photos
Slideshow of photos before and after blepharoplasty
Reviews about blepharoplasty
Marina, 37 years old
“Since childhood, I had drooping upper eyelids. Until I started wearing makeup, I didn’t even know about this problem. As soon as I tried to apply shadow on my eyelid, I realized that in my case it is not so easy to do. After 30 years, age-related changes also appeared. Something had to be decided. I read on the Internet what blepharoplasty is and decided to find out the prices in my city. Previously, it seemed to me that this was crazy money that ordinary mortals had never even dreamed of. It turned out that this was not the case. I consulted with several surgeons, chose the one who seemed to me the most reasonable and experienced, took tests and “went under the knife.” I went home almost immediately after I completely recovered from general anesthesia. Nothing hurt, I felt great. Within a week, the bandage was removed, and a month later I was “showing off” with new eyes. I am very pleased that I decided to have this operation. Friends say that these are two different people, before and after blepharoplasty.”
Irina, 35 years old
“I decided to have an operation called blepharoplasty because of hereditary hernias in the upper eyelids. It always looked ugly, but after 30 years it began to look completely terrible. After studying the reviews about the procedure, I went to a local clinic. Here I was examined by a surgeon and an ophthalmologist. Examination of the latter was especially important for me, since I have poor eyesight. Immediately after the operation there were severe bruises, I could not look at myself in the mirror. But already on the third day the situation began to improve. After another 4 days, my stitches were removed, and then, to celebrate, I went to the cinema. Friends immediately noticed that he looked fresher. A year has passed since the operation, and the result continues to please me.”
Inna, 46 years old
“I had drooping eyelids by nature. By the age of 45, they began to hang even more. This made me look tired and gloomy. A friend told me that blepharoplasty would help me. I passed all the necessary tests (blood and urine tests), then brought the results to the clinic. I was immediately assigned a day for surgery. The operation took place under local anesthesia. In the room there was a plastic surgeon, an anesthesiologist and an assistant. Blepharoplasty lasted about half an hour. Of course, there were no painful sensations, but I was very worried about the entire operation. It turned out that it was completely in vain. It was very successful. After the operation, I was sent home almost immediately. When the anesthesia began to “release,” a burning sensation and pain appeared. I applied ice to help the bruises go away faster. A week later my stitches were removed. I was very pleased with the reflection in the mirror; my upper eyelids were graceful, and not the same as before the operation.”
Agnia, 35 years old
“Sagging skin around the eyes. I decided that it was time to trust the plastic surgeon, who said that I needed blepharoplasty. I was very worried, but decided not to give up. First I came for a preliminary consultation, then took tests. After the doctor received their results, I was given a day for surgery. It was carried out under local anesthesia. They offered me general anesthesia, but I refused. I later regretted this... First, markings are made, an injection is given and the skin is cut off. There was no pain, but there was a feeling that I was being “cut.” The half hour the operation lasted seemed like an eternity to me. The postoperative period was also difficult for me. There was severe swelling and redness. However, a week later, when I saw my new eyes in the mirror, I realized that I had not endured in vain. It’s painful, unpleasant, but the result is worth it, I feel much more confident than before blepharoplasty.”
Blepharoplasty helps rejuvenate the skin and correct congenital and acquired defects. If you decide to have it, carefully choose the doctor and the clinic where you will have it performed. Do not neglect the recommendations during the recovery period. Only in this case will you be satisfied with the operation.
Blepharoplasty in men
It's no secret that the majority of plastic surgeons' patients are women. Eyelid surgery in this case is no exception. But men also suffer from aesthetic shortcomings, although, due to the specifics of male psychology, it is more difficult for them to decide on drastic measures. Today we would like to talk about blepharoplasty in the context of operations in men
.
Our interlocutor is a plastic surgeon with 25 years of experience, a specialist in facial rejuvenation - Alexey Alekovich Gvaramiya
.
— Alexey Alekovich, how often do men turn to blepharoplasty?
Men make up approximately 10% of patients
. More often, those men come whose wives or girlfriends have already had blepharoplasty. If a man has seen how the process goes and what the result is, it is easier for him to decide on surgery. But sometimes they come on their own. Moreover, they are quite young men (30-40 years old). The most common complaint is “bags under the eyes.”
Unlike women, who sometimes do not understand how they want to change their appearance, men who turn to plastic surgeons actually have an aesthetic problem in almost 100% of cases. Those. There are clear indications for surgery.
— Which eyelid problem do men most often turn to surgeons for - upper or lower?
Most often the problem is complex - upper and lower. But there are also a significant number of those who only complain about the lower eyelids – the aforementioned “bags under the eyes”. There is even a separate category of patients - “latent alcoholics”. They ask for surgery to prevent the bags under the eyes from swelling the next day.
- And can you remove this effect?
Yes, we remove hernias in the lower eyelid. Hernias are the substrate that swells. Accordingly, after their removal there is nothing left to swell inside the eyelid.
— Are there any differences in the methods or techniques of performing blepharoplasty in men and women?
In men, eyelid surgery is usually performed more conservatively. Hernias on the lower eyelids are removed as radically as in women. But the upper eyelids are operated more sparingly. Theoretically, it is possible to create “perfect eyelids.” But it will look unnatural: an aged man with eyelids like a youth’s.
Another point concerns the recovery period. When correcting the upper eyelids, the fold of the upper eyelid is affected, which extends beyond the orbit. The later (in age) a person undergoes surgery, the more radically it is removed. But during the rehabilitation period (a month and a half) it is noticeable. During this period, a woman can apply makeup, but it is more difficult for a man to hide the traces of surgery.
— Do patients who seek blepharoplasty always have a problem with their eyelids?
Not always. There are, for example, such situations. A man comes with a desire to correct his upper eyelids, since from the outside his eyes look frowning and gloomy. But I see that this is not the problem. The look is frowning because the eyebrows are lowered. And in this case, you often don’t need to touch the upper eyelids at all, but rather raise your eyebrows. As soon as you raise your eyebrows, your face immediately opens up, your gaze ceases to be heavy, and becomes more friendly and welcoming.
— How do you raise your eyebrows in this case?
Most often this is an endoscopic brow lift. If the patient categorically does not want to undergo surgery, you can offer to insert threads. Such a temporary measure will allow you to evaluate the result and, perhaps, after some time the desire to undergo surgery will come.
— Where are the incisions made during an endoscopic brow lift? Can it be done on bald men?
We always ask if the man has genetic alopecia in his family. Simply put, was the patient's father bald? If yes, you need to make the incisions a little differently during endoscopic lifting. There is an empirical law in plastic surgery: everything that is crooked and blurry is less noticeable, and everything that is smooth and symmetrical is more striking. Therefore, the cuts are not made symmetrically. At different distances from the medial line of the forehead. Even if the man subsequently becomes bald due to genetic inheritance, these small scars will not look like traces of surgery.
If a man does not suffer from baldness, then it does not matter how the incisions are made. They will be hidden in the scalp.
With good healing, after a couple of months these incisions become completely invisible. But plastic surgery is an area where we must give high-quality results without relying on how the healing will proceed in the future. That’s why we carefully hide all the seams, make minimal cuts, etc.
- How long does it take to heal? Does it depend on the type of blepharoplasty? How long will it take for the swelling to go away and you can “appear in public” again?
It makes no difference whether to do the upper or lower eyelids separately, or to do the operation together. The rehabilitation process is almost the same. As for the timing of “imprisonment”, usually all post-operative traces disappear within two weeks. From now on you can appear in public. Friends will notice that something has changed in your face, but there will no longer be any obvious manifestations of the operation.
If the patient’s job does not involve heavy physical labor, then I see no reason to take a vacation
for a long recovery after surgery. There is no need to leave your normal life. Look at the experience of American doctors. None of their patients take time off.
— Are there any differences in the recovery period after blepharoplasty in men and women?
Sutures are also removed on the 3rd day. Men bruise more often than women due to the fact that men have stronger blood microcirculation. And the blepharoplasty operation itself lasts a little longer in men - we spend more time on coagulation of small vessels in order to subsequently reduce the formation of bruises.
— Can you give advice on how best to camouflage yourself in the first days, while the swelling is still there and traces of the operation are still fresh?
Buy smokey glasses. Not black, but smoky! With fairly wide windows. Start wearing them in public and at official events even before surgery. You can wear them casually for a while. People around you will gradually get used to your style. Then after the operation it will be easier for you to walk in them.
There is also a psychological aspect at work here. When you constantly see your reflection in the mirror, swelling, bruises, you begin to feel embarrassed. And wearing smoky glasses, a person relieves psychological discomfort.
— How soon can you return to working at the computer?
Theoretically, at least the next day. But there is one important point. Everyone knows what dry eye syndrome is. It occurs because a person blinks less often when sitting at a computer. And after surgery, dry eye syndrome develops very quickly. For example, if earlier discomfort in the eyes began after 3 hours of working at the computer, then in the first days after surgery the same effect can occur after half an hour. Therefore, I advise patients in the initial period of rehabilitation when working at a computer to instill drops of the “artificial tear” type every 15 minutes.
— What if a man has vision problems? For example, severe myopia...
Blepharoplasty surgery does not have any effect on vision. I once talked about this topic with ophthalmologists. They proved to me that there is no correlation between these procedures. Deterioration of vision can only occur from a coincidence. But still, I myself prefer not to take patients with glaucoma, although ophthalmologists believe that there are no contraindications. If a person has very severe myopia, then he wears serious lenses and special glasses. As a rule, such patients have no time for aesthetic plastic surgery.
— What should those who wear contact lenses do?
My recommendation is to avoid wearing lenses for 3 weeks after surgery. During this period, wear glasses. Because the nasolacrimal duct is blocked, and conjunctivitis develops more easily.
— In the philistine environment, there is an opinion that men should not turn to plastic surgeons. It is not their business to pursue beauty in such ways. What can you say about this in the context of blepharoplasty?
When they say that, I suggest the following. Take a small thread and place it on the upper eyelid. You will feel its weight. It's the weight. Now imagine that all day you wear not a small thread, but a heavy eyelid. After having the operation, it becomes easier for you to look, your general condition improves, it becomes easier to wake up and work at the computer. This operation is not only for beauty, its effect is much broader.
Thank you, Alexey Alekovich, for such an informative conversation. The topic of plastic surgery for men is very little covered, even in our time, when it would seem that you can find the answer to any question on the Internet. Thank you for your time. We will try to touch upon other issues of aesthetic plastic surgery in men in our reports.
Mont Blanc Clinic
