The eyes are the most noticeable feature on our face, they are often called the “window to the soul” because of how important they are in our connections with other people. They’re also usually the first place to show signs of aging.
Sagging eyelids not only make us look older than we feel, but they can also start to impair our vision as we age. Anyone who is bothered by sagging eyelids, puffy eyes, discoloration or undereye bags may be an excellent candidate for a blepharoplasty in NYC. Also known as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty can be used to restore a youthful look and provide overall rejuvenation to the eyes.
If you feel bothered by the ways aging has affected your eyes, it’s time to explore the options of blepharoplasty with Dr. Steven Pearlman, a dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery.
What causes eye wrinkles?
Your eyes move a lot throughout the day, between your natural blinks, squinting against the sunlight, laughing, crying, and side eyeing that one person in your spin class who shows off a little too much. The skin is also half as thick as the rest of the face so it ages more rapidly.
The muscles around your eyes are responsible for our facial expressions; they’re moving all the time. As we age and our skin starts to change, wrinkles start to appear because of these muscle movements. That’s why we end up with frown lines and crow’s feet.
There are so many smaller areas that contribute to the overall appearance of your eyes, part of your consultation for blepharoplasty in NYC will be about determining the cause of your aging eyes. At Pearlman Aesthetic surgery we can use both surgical and non-surgical methods for eyelid rejuvenation to help you achieve optimal results based on your goals.
What does a blepharoplasty treat?
A blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that can remove excess fat, bags, skin, and/or muscle from your upper or lower eyelids.
Upper blepharoplasty
As you age, your upper eyelids can actually begin to stretch as the muscles supporting them weaken, allowing excess skin and fat to gather beneath them. An upper blepharoplasty makes an incision in the natural fold of your eyelid, removes the excess tissue, and creates a more open-looking eye.
Lower Blepharoplasty
For patients who are dealing with puffiness and bags under their eyes, a lower blepharoplasty can reduce the fine lines and wrinkles created by loose skin. We often perform a lower eyelid surgery by preserving the fat that was bulging and creating the bags, then re-positioning it into the hollow area beneath called the tear trough.
Since aging tends to affect the whole eye area, many patients will benefit from having both an upper and lower blepharoplasty. It’s also possible to combine a brow lift, facelift, or lip lift with a blepharoplasty in NYC at Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery. Dr. Pearlman can help you determine if a brow lift or blepharoplasty is better for you.
What can I expect from blepharoplasty in NYC?
When you schedule your blepharoplasty with Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery you can expect to be supported from consultation, to recovery, and beyond.
Consultation
The first step in any plastic surgery procedure is an in-depth consultation, which provides the basis for a successful plastic surgery experience.
During your consultation, Dr. Pearlman will get to know you and your aesthetic goals. He’ll go over your medical history, examine the treatment area, discuss which treatment options will best suit you, and answer any questions you have about the procedure.
We’ll look through before and after photos so that you can have clear expectations for your blepharoplasty. We’ll also take your photos so that you can see your own changes, too!
Procedure
Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure and an upper blepharoplasty is often performed using only local anesthetic. For a lower blepharoplasty, or if we’re combining with another procedure like a brow lift or facelift, you might prefer deeper anesthesia.
To make blepharoplasty scars as inconspicuous as possible, Dr. Pearlman makes incisions in the natural creases of the eyelids and sometimes inside the lower eyelid to hide them. After your blepharoplasty in NYC, it won’t look like you had surgery, your eyes will look naturally wider and refreshed. The incisions can be hidden with eyeshadow and eyeliner as you heal and are barely visible when fully healed.
Results
Blepharoplasty provides subtle results with a big impact. Our patients report looking more refreshed and feeling more confident in their appearance. Results from an eyelid surgery are long lasting and can be supported with other treatments like laser skin resurfacing and certain injectables like Botox and facial fillers.
Most patients are able to enjoy their blepharoplasty results for many years. Of course, the aging process will continue. That’s why it’s important to keep up with medical grade skin care, Botox, and filler to help maintain your results.
What you need to know about recovering from blepharoplasty:
Our patient care team will provide you with detailed and thorough guidelines for your post-surgery care. The typical recovery period for eyelid surgery in NYC from Dr. Pearlman is just 1 week.
Use ice packs for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off after surgery and for 48 hours to reduce swelling. Get plenty of rest (keep your head elevated!), hydrate, and wear sunglasses to help reduce your healing time.
Most patients feel like returning to most activities within about a week to a week an a half when most of the bruising and swelling has gone down. If you wear contacts, you’ll be able to resume wearing them about 2 weeks after your procedure.
Frequently asked questions about blepharoplasty in NYC
How old do I need to be to get a blepharoplasty?
While there is no “best” age to undergo an eyelid lift, most of our blepharoplasty patients are in their 40s or beyond. Some people may decide to undergo the procedure in their 30s and occasionally even in their 20s if they have naturally hooded eyes or premature lower eyelid bags.
Are there nonsurgical alternatives to eyelid surgery
While nothing can replace the results of surgery, there are some aesthetic treatments that can help rejuvenate the eyes, too. Strategic Botox and filler injections can help alleviate wrinkles and replace lost volume. Ultherapy, microneedling and laser skin rejuvenation can stimulate collagen and new skin growth, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles, leading to more refreshed eye area.
Can I combine my blepharoplasty with other plastic surgery?
Yes! Patients will often elect to receive a blepharoplasty alongside a facelift, brow lift, lip lift and even rhinoplasty. A facelift only lifts the lower ⅔ of the face. Combining with a blepharoplasty and brow lift can provide you with total facial rejuvenation.
Considering a blepharoplasty in NYC? Book your consultation with Dr. Pearlman.
Dr. Steven Pearlman is dual board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. He provides his patients with distinctive expertise, understanding, and support on their journey to the best version of themselves.
Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery offers premier anti-aging treatments through plastic surgery and non-surgical techniques.
Not quite ready for an in person visit? You can always explore our aesthetic offerings via our procedure match tool. Answer a few questions about your areas of concern and you’ll receive custom treatment recommendations emailed to you!
