Reducing Under-eye Bags with Lower Eyelid Surgery
Under-eye bags are stereotypically characteristic of fatigue. Seeing puffy or wrinkled skin under one’s eyes can lead someone to make unfair assumptions about that person’s physical shape, age, or even their mood. In many cases, however, baggy lower eyelids are simply genetic or an effect of increasing age. While this trait may seem nearly impossible for some people to avoid, the right procedure at our Buffalo facial plastic surgery center can be an effective long-term solution.
With lower eyelid surgery, patients can achieve smoother and tighter skin under their eyes, producing a more youthful, energized, and attractive appearance. Whether used alone or in conjunction with another procedure, eyelid surgery is both a safe and effective way for patients to rejuvenate their look. If you believe you may benefit from such treatment, take the following information into consideration.
What Causes Under-eye Bags?
For many people, bags under the eyes are a temporary response to sleep deprivation, diet, allergies, or a multitude of other specific problems or habits. In most of these instances, the body is not given ample time or resources to properly circulate fluids, leading to water retention under the skin, which is seen most noticeably below the lower eyelids. These causes cannot be addressed with lower eyelid surgery as they are temporary reactions.
Age, however, is the factor which can be addressed with lower eyelid surgery. As people age, their skin loses elasticity, collagen and subcutaneous fat is loosened from under eye muscles, leading to drooping under-eye tissue and sometimes a puffy under eye bag. . This is a common occurrence in aging adults both men and women although some people certainly experience it to a greater degree that others mostly due to genetics. Unfortunately this under eye aging results in looking tired even when rested and looking older than we are. Lower eyelid surgery is a viable option for those who wish to reduce the prevalence of this otherwise permanent change in their appearance.
How Can Eyelid Surgery Help?
Eyelid surgery aims to remove excess fat and skin that sag over or below the eye’s natural contours and in some cases to tighten the underlying muscle.. By removing this tissue and tightening remaining skin, a patient can avoid looking fatigued or older around the eyes. Lower eyelid surgery is particularly useful for reducing puffiness or sagging skin from below the eyes caused by aging. After a brief and safe recovery, patients can see immediate results, confidently returning to work and their social lives in one to two weeks.
How Long Do the Results Last?
Eyelid surgery offers long-lasting results that can remain for years. Because tissues are directly removed and the eyelid redefined and rejuvenated, patients do not have to worry about their results fading any time soon. In fact, it’s not uncommon for patients to see their results last for a decade before changes are seen once more. Although everyone is different, it’s important to remember that no surgical procedure can stop the aging process, and as such, the results of surgery will likely be diminished with time depending on genetics.
Candidates for Lower Eyelid Surgery
Patients who have perpetual bags under their eyes due to aging are often excellent candidates for lower eyelid surgery. As long as their desired changes are purely cosmetic, and the effects are not caused by an underlying medical condition, facial plastic surgery is an effective way to create a more youthful appearance.
Like any surgical procedure, though, eyelid surgery requires that patients be in good general health. Certain diseases that lower one’s ability to recover, such as heart disease, liver disease, or diabetes, may present risk factors for surgery. Smokers also suffer from a weakened immune system, requiring them to abstain from tobacco for the weeks before and after surgery. Eye conditions such as glaucoma, severely dry eyes, or eye infection may also limit candidacy.
To see if you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery, visit Dr. Sherris for a consultation. By establishing proper expectations for treatment and understanding the exact factors that may affect your results, you can make an informed decision regarding your health and your appearance.
Visit Our Office
Eyelid surgery can provide excellent results for the right candidates, but not everyone is equally suited for a given procedure. To learn more about treatment and whether it is right for you, contact our office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Sherris.
