Introduction to Eyelid Surgery | What Really Happens
Eyelid Surgery
My Philosopy
After 31 years of doing oculoplastic surgery, my eyelid rejuvenation for patients over 50 has changed dramatically in my search for surgical perfection. This is thanks to new tools and techniques.
An Introduction to Laser Eyelid Surgery by Dr. Hughes
AN INTRODUCTION TO LASER EYELID SURGERY: CO2 LASER AND ERBIUM YAG LASER FOR RESURFACING
Puffy bags and eyelids simply represent the inevitable ravage of time. Firm structures holding the fat back loosen and the fat now is able to prolapse forward in the skin. In addition, the crow's feet wrinkles and lower and upper lid wrinkles progress as we lose elastic fibers in our skin over time.
Laser eyelid surgery, or laser cosmetic blepharoplasty removes these telltale fatigue signs, and helps to restore your eyes and facial appearance to the more youthful one you remember.
Laser resurfacing improves fine lines, facial pigmentation and skin texture. This is why dark circles are improved with laser resurfacing. It also avoids incisions, bleeding, misshapen eyelids, and the invasive nature of the older lower lid blepharoplasty methods. The laser heat treatment creates a burn which heals with tighter, thicker skin. With recent advances in post-op care, people are back to work in 7-10 days in their makeup. Come to a complementary seminar for more details.
LASER ADVANCE : WHY IS LASER LID SURGERY BETTER THAN SKIN INCISIONS?
The real revolutionary advance in the lower lid blepharoplasty is the fact that there is no skin incision, and the crow's feet wrinkles can be reduced dramatically. The older skin incision technique has a much higher risk of changing the shape and contour of the eyelid because it requires excision of skin and muscle, with redraping of the remaining skin and muscle. This sometimes causes the white of the eye to be exposed above the retracted lower lid, and also the outer angle of the eyes to be rounded. There is a much higher incidence of ectropion (rolled out lower eyelid).
NEW TECHNOLOGY
The end result with a laser is a much more natural and youthful eyelid without a destroyed (done) appearance. Laser blepharoplasty has been made possible by new advances in technology. The CO2 laser has two interchangeable heads for the new CO2 pulsed laser, a laser light scalpel and a laser skin resurfacing head.
Head #1 - The Laser Light Scalpel
The laser light scalpel is used for precise incision to excise excess skin, muscle and fat in the upper lid. Using the laser kinfe is quicker because not only does it cut, but it heat treats the blood vessels so there is less bleeding. There is also less pain in removing the fat. In the lower eyelid, fat removal is done through an incision hidden inside the lower lid through the conjunctiva.
Head #2 - The Laser Resurfacing Head
The laser resurfacing head is used to treat the skin of the lower lid and crow's feet after the lower eyelid fat has been removed internally. Incidentally, it can also be used above the upper lid incision to tighten the crinkled skin remaining above the incision to make it smoother and more youthful in appearance.
What Really Happens?
Since each patient has different needs and will require different procedures in order for them to achieve the look they desire, it's difficult to outline all the various procedures here. Dr. Hughes strongly suggests that you contact her office to schedule an appointment. There she can go into more detail about the variety of procedures she can perform, and better describe what is involved with each one and how they are performed. After attending the seminar, you should schedule a consultation with the doctor. This will enable Dr. Hughes to describe to you in detail what procedures and options are available to you.
