Friday, February 22, 2008

Eyelids

Q: My coworkers keep telling me I look tired and when I look in the mirror my eyes look dark and puffy. Is there a solution?

A: Without question, your eyes are the focal point of your face. They truly are the windows to your soul. The more youthful the eyes, the younger you look. Unfortunately, aging, gravity, and even heredity can dramatically affect the appearance of your eyes.

Aging of the upper eyelids usually causes skin excess, puffiness, and heaviness. In some cases, the eyebrows and forehead may be contributing factors. A proper exam will assess these issues to determine if a browlift may help. In some patients, the upper eyelid heaviness is so extreme that the visual fields are compromised. In these instances insurance may actually cover the costs of correcting the upper eyelid problem.
The surgical procedure called a blepharoplasty is designed to remove the excess skin and fat of the upper eyelids and restore their youthful look.

The lower eyelids can also significantly contribute to the puffiness and dark circles. In some cases, excess skin is removed while in others the skin is tightened with laser or chemical peels. The excess fatty tissue can either be removed or repositioned to fill in the hollowing beneath the eyelids (the so-called tear trough deformity). In older patients, the eyelid itself needs to be tightened and repositioned to restore a more youthful contour and shape.

During your initial consultation, all of these factors will be addressed and considered. By doing so, an appropriate treatment plan will be outlined to restore the youthful appearance of your forehead, eyebrows and eyelids. Please feel free to call for a complimentary cosmetic consultation or log onto www.drhainer.com.