A lower blepharoplasty is a minor surgical procedure performed to reduce sagging lower eyelids and rejuvenate the area. It is effective in treating under-eye bags, puffiness, and skin laxity.
Puffy eyelids and sagging or baggy skin under the eyes can make you look old and tired. Many factors, such as aging, can cause the skin under your eyes to sag. Sometimes, the puffiness may also be due to fluid retention under the eyes.
When this becomes a consistent issue, it requires medical intervention, such as lower eyelid surgery or a lower blepharoplasty, to restore radiance and youthfulness to your eyes.
At Hortman Clinics, the top-rated aesthetic surgery clinics in Dubai, a lower blepharoplasty is often combined with other cosmetic procedures to achieve better results and an enhanced appearance.
What is a Lower Blepharoplasty?
A lower blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgical treatment that removes excess fat and skin tissue under the eye and repositions and tightens the area to create a flatter, firmer surface.
If your lower eyelids are drooping due to weakening muscles, the muscles may be tightened during the procedure. In some patients, a lower blepharoplasty is combined with injectable procedures and fat transfer to fill in the hollow of the eyes, rejuvenating them.
What Causes Sagging Skin Under the Eyes?
There are several reasons for sagging skin under your eyes.
Age
With age, your skin loses elasticity, and the tissues and muscles that support it also weaken. As a result, the lower eyelids begin to droop, and the skin in the region starts to sag.
Aging also causes the fat around the eyes to shift downward, contributing to puffiness that appears as under-eye bags.
Genetics
If you have a family history of pigmentation under the eyes or a predisposition to fluid retention under the eyes, you may be more prone to developing under-eye bags.
Medical conditions
Many medical conditions, such as dermatitis, dermatomyositis, thyroid issues, and kidney issues, can contribute to under-eye fluid retention and baggy lower eyelids.
Under-eye bags can also result from inflammation due to food and seasonal allergies, which can also cause the blood vessels around the eyes to dilate, leading to darker-looking skin.
Lifestyle factors
Prolonged and frequent sun exposure, smoking, and excessive screen time can also contribute to drooping or sagging eyelids.
Is a Lower Blepharoplasty Right for Me?
A lower blepharoplasty is not a blanket treatment for everyone with drooping or sagging lower eyelids. Are you a suitable candidate for the same? It will depend on your consultation with a cosmetic surgeon.
A lower blepharoplasty is best suited for people who are
- 30 years and above
- Are in good overall health
- Have no eye ailments or conditions
- Have drooping or sagging lower eyelids
- Dark circles with hollowed skin under the eyes
At the same time, a lower blepharoplasty is not recommended for the following people:
- Those with medical conditions like diabetes, heart conditions, and high blood pressure
- With eye conditions like glaucoma, dry eyes, detached retina, thyroid disorders
- Who have undergone laser eye surgery in the past 6 months
- Who have puffy skin over the cheekbones
Before you undergo a lower blepharoplasty, cosmetic surgeons typically perform a physical examination to check your visual acuity, the strength and rate of your blink, and evaluate other characteristics of your eyeball and the structures inside the eyes.
Reasons not to perform this surgery include excessive dry eyes and laser eye surgery within the past 6 months. Lower blepharoplasty does not treat discoloration of the skin, fine wrinkles, or puffy skin over the cheekbones.
In most cases, doctors will check for signs of Bell’s phenomenon, a condition that causes the eyes to move outward and upward when you attempt to close them.
The cosmetic surgeon will also look for
- Eyelid laxity
- Infraorbital hollowing
- Malar fat atrophy
- Globe prominence
- Skin evaluations to rule out Fitzpatrick skin type, lesions, and dyschromia
- Canthal tendon dehiscence
What are the Benefits of Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty?
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty offers several benefits:
- Gives you youthful-looking eyes: Lower blepharoplasty reduces wrinkles, under puffiness, and removes excess skin, giving you radiant, youthful-looking eyes.
- Refreshed, rejuvenated appearance: After a lower blepharoplasty, your eyes tend to look brighter and less tired, giving them a more refreshed, rejuvenated appearance.
- Enhances facial balance: In many cases, a lower eyelid blepharoplasty improves facial balance.
- Improves vision: Removing excess skin and fat in the lower eyelid region may improve peripheral vision, which may be blocked by the sagging tissues.
- Reduces headaches and eye strain: Constantly lifting of drooping, or sagging eyelids can increase pressure on your eye muscles, often resulting in headaches. A lower blepharoplasty can relieve eye strain and reduce headaches.
How is a Lower Blepharoplasty Performed?
At Hortman Clinics, the top cosmetic surgery clinic for facial rejuvenation in Dubai, a lower blepharoplasty is performed by experienced and board-certified cosmetic surgeons. The surgery is performed under sedation or general anesthesia.
The surgery is done via either of the two techniques:
- Through the eyelid skin, or
- Through the inner surface of the lower eyelid.
In both approaches, the excess fat is removed, and the lower eyelids are repositioned. Sometimes, surgeons may remove excess eyelid skin and muscle, along with fat, and reshape and reposition the remaining tissue to create a natural eyelid crease.
Depending on the skin concern and treatment goal, a lower dose is often combined with procedures like injectables, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing to give you bright, smooth skin.
What Techniques are Used for Lower Blepharoplasty?
The different techniques are used in lower blepharoplasty. The technique you will need for your surgery depends on your individual needs, eye health, and the extent of correction required. Some surgeons also have their own preferred techniques.
During your consultation, your surgeon will explain which technique is best for you and what to expect during the procedure.
What to Expect After a Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery?
After a lower blepharoplasty, you may experience bruising and swelling around the eyes for 7 to 14 days. Dry eyes are fairly common after a lower blepharoplasty, and so it is critical to keep your eyes lubricated during this time.
Be assured – a lower blepharoplasty is among the least painful cosmetic procedures, and you can go home the same day. Your surgeon will give you a list of medications to keep your pain and discomfort to a bare minimum.
Other instructions to follow include:
- Avoid tasks that strain the eyes, such as driving long distances or reading very small print.
- Get plenty of rest and keep your head elevated when sleeping.
- Protect your eyes from direct sunlight using sunglasses or a hat.
Keep your doctor’s follow-up appointments so they can monitor your progress and spot any complications as soon as they arise.
How Long Do Lower Blepharoplasty Results Last?
After a lower blepharoplasty, the results become visible after swelling and bruising subside. It may take several weeks to several months before you can see the full results of a lower blepharoplasty. The results can last many years, and in some cases, even the individual’s entire lifetime.
What are the Risks of a Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery?
A lower blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure, and, as with other surgeries, there is always a slight risk. At Hortman Clinics, Dubai’s leading 360-degree surgical and non-surgical aesthetic clinic, lower blepharoplasty procedures are performed by experienced, board-certified cosmetic surgeons, helping minimise the risk of side effects and complications while ensuring natural-looking results.
However, a few side effects that may occur in some people typically include:
- Chronic dry eyes, especially in people who already had dry eyes before the procedure
- Temporary inflammation of the clear membrane of the eyes
- Blurry vision
- Infection
- Injury to the eyeball
- Blood collection behind the eye
Is Lower Blepharoplasty Worth It?
If you are looking for a permanent solution to your sagging lower eyelids, which are inherently giving you a tired, aged look, it is but natural to wonder if a lower blepharoplasty is really worth it. It is important to have realistic expectations from the procedure if you are a suitable candidate for the same.
While a lower blepharoplasty can tighten the skin around your eyes and reduce puffiness and dark circles, you must understand that it may not always result in a drastic transformation. Additionally, remember that aging is an ongoing process and may slightly affect the results of a lower blepharoplasty.
Most people who undergo a lower blepharoplasty at Hortman Clinics are happy and satisfied with the outcomes and the profound impact the procedure has on their facial appearance and confidence.
Final Thoughts
Lower blepharoplasty is an effective solution for reducing under-eye bags, puffiness, and sagging skin, helping restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance. Whether caused by ageing, genetics, or lifestyle factors, drooping lower eyelids can make you look tired even when you feel your best.
At Hortman Clinics, Dubai’s premier 360-degree surgical and non-surgical aesthetic clinic, our experienced facial cosmetic surgeons provide personalised treatment plans tailored to your unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. Using advanced surgical techniques and a patient-focused approach, we aim to achieve natural-looking, balanced results that enhance your confidence and overall facial harmony.
Ready to refresh and rejuvenate your eyes? Book your personalised lower blepharoplasty consultation at Hortman Clinics today and discover the most suitable treatment plan for brighter, youthful-looking eyes.
Ready to refresh and rejuvenate your eyes?
Book your personalised lower blepharoplasty consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
A lower blepharoplasty is performed under general anesthesia, and most patients only experience mild discomfort right after the surgery. This discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the lower eyelid region will reduce in the next few days.
A lower blepharoplasty takes around 90 minutes, and depending on the extent of the procedure, it may take up to 2.5 hours.
The longevity of results following a lower blepharoplasty can last for several years, and in some people, even for the rest of their lives.
The best candidates for a lower blepharoplasty are those who:
Are in good physical health
Do not have pre-existing eye conditions such as glaucoma, thyroid conditions, or excessively dry eyes.
Have realistic expectations from the procedure.
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