AM I TOO YOUNG FOR EYELID SURGERY?
As a major focal point of the face, the eyes are typically the first feature people notice when interacting with an individual. While most of the patients who are requesting eyelid surgery, medically known as blepharoplasty, are usually older and wanting to reverse the aging process, this is not always the case. Many young people are misperceived as being stressed or sleepy due to the appearance of their eyes and eyelids. This younger demographic is seeking eyelid surgery to brighten up their eyes so they do not appear old or tired.
REASONS TO UNDERGO SURGERY
The eyes tend to show signs of aging before any other feature on the face due to gravity and sun exposure. However, for some younger individuals, simple genetics can cause eyes to droop or bags to form under the eyes. This can cause a patient to constantly appear tired, mad, or unhappy when they are actually joyous and full of life. Blepharoplasty can correct these aesthetic issues by eliminating puffiness, tightening droopy eyelids, and brightening the appearance of the eyes.
In other cases, some people are born with what is referred to as “hooded eyes.” Hooded eyes happen when the excess skin on the upper eyelids droop so that they appear to obscure the eyes. For these individuals, vision can be affected. This is a physical problem that needs to be addressed, regardless of age. Board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Pearlman can address these concerns with you to refresh your eyelid appearance.
WHAT IS THE IDEAL AGE?
Age is not the most important consideration for a patient wanting blepharoplasty, as anatomy more heavily determines candidacy for eyelid surgery. It’s more about evaluating if your eyelids are sending the wrong message.
THE PROCEDURE FOR A YOUNG PATIENT
Blepharoplasty in a young patient should be conservative to retain the fat around the eyes. Younger patients respond well to eyelid surgery due to their excellent skin tone. The skin of a younger patient is typically more elastic, which aids in recovery and helps the skin bounce back. For bags or dark circles under the eyes, we can often camouflage them with facial fillers in the cheeks and/or tear troughs.
If you are considering eyelid surgery or looking to get more information, please call board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Pearlman’s office at 212-223-8300.
