Do drooping eyelids make you look tired, even after a good night's sleep?
If your answer is yes, you're not alone. Loose skin over your eyes and fat bags under your eyes can make you look more tired and older than you feel inside. Heavy eyelids can also create an unfriendly appearance.
Every year, thousands of Asian women and men choose eyelid surgery to help restore a more energetic and youthful appearance. Asian eyelid surgery is performed by our doctor for patients in our region.
All eyes are not created equal
There are numerous differences between Caucasian and Asian eyes. Most of them are unseen muscular and other underlying tissue differences, such as the increased fat content and somewhat thicker skin of Asian eyes. Often the crease of the upper eyelids is incomplete or non-existent, allowing the skin to hang over the lashes and conceal much of the eye.
Choosing a surgeon for Asian Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed. However, an Asian blepharoplasty has added potential for complications and unfavorable results if meticulous attention is not paid to aesthetics and proper surgical techniques. Your personal goals must be given adequate consideration. Our physician has a detailed understanding of the ethnic variations in eyelid anatomy and the surgical skill necessary to perform eyelid surgery for Asian patients in our region that maintains their ethnicity and achieves their individual goals.
Your consultation for Asian Eyelid Surgery
During your initial cosmetic consultation, our doctor will discuss your particular condition, your expectations, and the probable outcome of treatment. You may be shown several before and after treatment photographs of patients having a similar condition, and you will receive an explanation of your treatment. Before and after pictures of your eyes may be taken to better document your results.
Your Asian Eyelid Surgery procedure
Blepharoplasty can be performed in our doctor's office, an outpatient surgical facility or a hospital. It is generally performed under local anesthesia but can be performed under general anesthesia.
In most Asian blepharoplasties, a fold is created in the upper eyelid. The surgeon places fine incisions where the crease would normally appear. The position and slope of this incision/fold may vary depending on the many different cultural preferences within Asian groups. Next, a thin crescent of excess skin, fat, and muscle is removed. The incisions are closed with very fine sutures.
To remove fatty deposits beneath the eyes, the incisions are placed just inside the lower eyelid or beneath the lashes. After the fat is removed, the incisions may be closed with absorbable sutures or left to heal naturally with no visible scar. The procedure can take from 30 minutes to two hours depending on the extent of your surgery.
Can Asian Eyelid Surgery be combined with other cosmetic procedures?
Yes. Many of our patients elect to combine their eyelid procedure with a browlift, facelift, mid-facelift or even laser skin resurfacing.
What results can I expect from Asian Eyelid Surgery?
After our doctor performs Asian eyelid surgery, patients are very satisfied with their results. However, your surgical outcome will depend on the extent of the surgical correction, your skin structure and your healing process. Heredity, age and other physical characteristics will also play a part in your outcome.
What about recovery from Asian Eyelid Surgery?
When the procedure is performed alone, and not in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure, it is generally done with sedation and local anesthesia. The eye area may be bruised and swollen for about 2 weeks. Patients should keep their heads up and place cold compresses on their eyes periodically. Antibiotic eye drops are generally prescribed for several days. Patients can't wear contact lenses for about 2 weeks, since the eyelids may be stiff and sore. Make-up may be worn after about 10 days. The resulting thin scars, which will follow the natural contour of your eyelids, tend to fade in about 2 months.
After cosmetic surgery, our patients notice a softer, more youthful appearance. Many seem to have a renewed spring to their step and an inner confidence about them.