Wrinkling, bagging, and sagging around and under our eyes are inevitable results of aging. No matter what, we’re all going to have to deal with these features someday.
To combat these aging effects and look as young and natural as possible, people opt for an increasingly common facial procedure known as the lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Keep in mind the removal process, like any attempt to slow natural aging, is not a clear or straightforward one.
The reason we develop bags under our eyes is that the membrane that holds the fat in place (found behind the eye socket) starts to weaken and lose its tension, which in change allows the fat to start bursting out.
As early as the age of 40, our skin begins to lose its elasticity and tension. With the weakening of this membrane, it is almost inevitable that baggy eyes will develop. Not only will the face starts sagging, but numerous other parts of our bodies will as well. The face, however, is the most fragile one to treat.
Some of these wrinkles or bags can be blamed on genes. Yes, how your parents and close relatives age can be a strong sign of how you might age too. Another critical factor is how much you take care of your skin, such as by using aging creams, sunscreen, and other topicals that could help delay or reduce the wrinkling process.
What is Lower Eyelid Surgery and How Does it Work?
The medical term for this surgery is blepharoplasty of the lower eyelid, though you may know it by its more commonly used name, eye bag surgery. This cosmetic technique tightens sagging skin, removes excess fat, and corrects wrinkles in the lower eyes, leading to a smoother, more youthful look.
The surgeon will begin by marking the eyelids to help know where to make incisions. Next, either local or general anesthesia will be provided depending on the extent of the surgery and the number of other simultaneous procedures done.
Once the patient becomes insensitive to pain, the doctor will make incisions into the lower eyelid. Then, the excess skin and fat responsible for your sagging will be removed. Finally, the doctor will sew or suture the skin under the eye back together. This process adds tension that has been lost over time, which produces a tightening effect on the eyelid.
This surgery requires a very delicate approach and a qualified surgeon because there are many sensitive, delicate tissues around and under the eye and the eyeball. We recommend you sit down with a board-certified doctor to check if you are eligible and if this procedure is right for you.
Eyelid surgery’s efficiency and long-lasting results depend solely on the genetic composition of your skin, how well it reacts to the procedure, and how it adapts to the after-effects of the treatment.
What Eyelid Surgery Costs
The average price range for this surgery is from $3,500 to $5,500, depending on which location you chose. These numbers may or may not include some additional costs depending on geography, the extent of the procedure, anesthesia and surgeon’s fees, and other factors.
Areas Targeted During a Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery is mainly used to treat or correct the following anomalies:
- Bagginess under the skin
- Sagging either on the upper or lower eyelid
- The dark area under the eyes or in the bags
- Lack of symmetry in the eyelids
When consulting with your surgeon, it is of the utmost importance that you make clear why you want to have this procedure. It can be a simple cosmetic choice, which is perfectly fine, or it can be for pressing medical reasons like hindered eyesight. Regardless of the reason, make sure to make the best choice for your health by consulting with your doctor first.