Upper eyelid blepharoplasty: indications, contraindications, effect of surgery

Eliminating the impending eyelid is one of the main misconceptions of aesthetic medicine.

Patients are asked to cut, burn, chip, or paralyze the problem area. But whatever you cut off will grow back. Skin “hoods” will fit onto the movable part of the upper eyelid and creep further, closing the eyes and limiting visual function.

Why don’t all these methods of “punitive” cosmetology work? Because they do not fight the problem, but only mask it for a while.

The saddest thing is that some women agree to radical and ultimately ineffective measures without even trying to do everything right. But you can lift your drooping eyelid and make your look open and fresh on your own.

How? Let's talk.

Causes of drooping eyelids

Drooping upper eyelids can be:

congenital trait;
a consequence of myopia (the muscles in the periorbital zone are constantly tense because a person squints, and the skin above them becomes “extra” and sags);
result of injury;
a consequence of sudden weight loss;
a side effect of invasive cosmetology (I injected Botox for wrinkles in the forehead - the muscle that raises the upper eyelids atrophied, and they “fell” over the eyes).

But still, most often the eyelids begin to droop as a result of age-related changes, which, in turn, are aggravated by an unhealthy lifestyle. Forces processes:

poor posture;
unbalanced diet;
physical inactivity;
bad habits;
excessive sun exposure;
poor sleep (insufficient amount of sleep and posture with your face in a pillow, which has a destructive effect on the skin due to pressure on its collagen fibers).

How does a drooping eyelid appear: the main mechanisms of age-related changes

What happens to our upper eyelids as we age? We analyze the problem at deep levels.

Musculoaponeuratic system
. Because of its transformations, all of our main markers of aging appear, including drooping eyelids.
The problem that is on the surface is hypertonicity of the orbicularis oculi muscle. This muscle works throughout our lives: when we blink (up to 20 times per minute), smile, squint, frown. It is not surprising that he early acquires increased tone to an unhealthy state (spasticity). The muscle shortens and stiffens, and the skin on top of it, turning out to be “extra,” hangs over.
But we dig deeper and understand that the muscles of the neck and shoulder region also worked here. Spasm of the occipital, sternocleidomastoid and other muscles compresses a variety of vessels:
- arteries through which blood flows to the face;
lymphatic vessels through which lymph flows from the face with all its “baggage” of toxins and decay products.

And the spasmed muscles of the neck pull the muscular frame of the face with them, which also aggravates age-related changes.

The same can be said about the tendon helmet. When pinched and stiff, it harms the healthy tone of the facial muscles.

Lymph
Lymph, the culprit of our swelling, first of all “hits” the eyes. The eyelids have the thinnest skin, loose subcutaneous fat and many lymphatic vessels. When the amount of tissue fluid in the intercellular space is exceeded, our eyes give it away first of all. The upper eyelids swell and droop, and bags appear on the lower eyelids.
Leather
The eyelids wear out faster than other areas of the face. Why? Because they are especially vulnerable. Eyelid skin:
- very thin, 6 times thinner than on the cheeks;
experiences a lack of lipids (there is no granular layer in the skin of the eyelids where lipids are formed) and a deficiency of sebum (there are few sebaceous glands on the eyelids) - both are needed by the dermis to maintain water balance and elasticity.

With age, the skin around the eyes becomes even thinner, loses turgor and elasticity, stretches and hangs under the weight of excess tissue fluid.

Preparatory stage

Have you decided to have upper eyelid blepharoplasty? Then choose a suitable clinic and make an appointment with a surgeon. During the conversation with the doctor, you should describe the expected result as clearly as possible.

In addition, you should provide your medical record, talk about chronic diseases, and answer questions posed reliably. You will also be referred to an anesthesiologist and an ophthalmologist.

The decision about what type of anesthesia will be (general or local) is made by the anesthesiologist together with the surgeon. Taken into account:

the complexity of the operation itself;
condition of the facial muscle corset;
how are the bones of the skull structured?
how much fat should be eliminated;
the presence of allergic reactions to the administered drug.

You will be given some tests before your surgery. Most likely, you will need to take a test to measure the amount of tear fluid produced. During the operation, the doctor will focus on this indicator.

Important point! When interviewing the surgeon, you must answer the questions posed truthfully. Be sure to indicate which medications, dietary supplements or other herbal products you regularly use.

The doctor will find out the following points:

what drugs have you ever had an allergic reaction to?
medical history;
diet;
is there a predisposition to certain diseases;
tobacco and alcohol addiction;
what previous operations were performed;
Do you have any vision problems?

In addition, after passing all the tests and permission to perform the operation, the plastic surgeon assesses the condition of the drooping upper eyelid. The degree of overhang, the amount of fat and fibrous tissue are determined. The presence of crow's feet and how the eye muscle functions are taken into account.

Before the scheduled operation you will need:

stop drinking alcohol and quit smoking within 2 weeks;
Drink enough water throughout the preparation phase;
stop using anticoagulants, for example, aspirin, within 7 days;
as prescribed by your doctor, start taking medications that minimize the risk of bruising;
8 hours before the operation, do not eat or drink water.

Remember, how successful the operation will be and whether the rehabilitation period will be reduced will depend on your proper preparation.

Salon treatments

How do cosmetologists and plastic surgeons suggest dealing with drooping eyelids?

We talk about the procedures in order of increasing danger:

Taping.
An elastic patch is glued to the problem area and left in place for some time. It is supposed that by some miracle it should remove excess fluid and restore muscle tone, but the effect of the procedure is minimal, if not absent.
Hardware techniques.
Using special equipment, the effect occurs at the skin level.
Impending eyelids are usually dealt with using radio waves or lasers. It is stated that these techniques stimulate the production of components of youthful dermis (collagen and elastin) and activate the regeneration of the integument. Although, in fact, the main effect of radio waves and lasers is based on “burning out” layers of skin and replacing them with fibrous (scar) tissue, and these are unhealthy processes.
The effect of radio waves and lasers is weak and does not last long. Drooping eyelids are not eliminated.
A little more about these methods.
- RF lifting.
  Radio waves create a thermal burn, which causes fibrous thickening to form in the skin. It is these scar formations that form a dense frame, due to which the eyelids seem a little more taut.
Injection blepharoplasty.
These are even more dangerous methods, because they are already associated with a violation of the integrity of the integument. To combat drooping eyelids, it is usually used:
- Mesotherapy.
  The eyelids are pricked with many injections, and an infinite number of procedures are required, up to 20 in one course, and then more “supporting” sessions.
  The drug that is injected into the skin is a meso-cocktail of all sorts of “goodies”: hyaluronic acid, vitamins, amino acids, etc. But, in fact, the main effect is due to total injury to the skin with needles. Here the reflexogenic effect is activated: pain receptors are irritated, which triggers a chain of reactions that ultimately lead to skin regeneration.
  A dangerous method, with complications, weanes the skin from fully functioning on its own.
  Read also: How to do Brazilian hair removal: how classic differs from a deep bikini
- Botox.
  Botox injections are given at specific points on the forehead and between the eyebrows (sometimes under the eyebrows). The drug paralyzes the muscles whose contraction has caused the eyebrows to droop. The eyebrows rise (“mask of surprise”), followed by a slight tightening of the eyelids.
  Botox is the most dangerous injection technique. The active substance, botulinum toxin, is a powerful poison. The procedure produces terrible aesthetic effects, is associated with high health risks and accelerates tissue aging.
Surgical blepharoplasty.
This is the most radical method.
But, unfortunately, this is what is often offered to patients as the only way to solve the problem of the impending century.
We'll tell you how it works.

One method or an integrated approach?

Arguing about the dangers and benefits of choosing one or another instrument for performing an operation, some doctors lose sight of the fact that the most successful option is a combination of the traditional method and a laser. This combination involves removing excess skin and fat using a scalpel, followed by laser rejuvenation procedures. The laser will rejuvenate the skin, smooth out wrinkles, and the patient does not have to worry about possible burns during surgery.

The laser is used separately from the scalpel, or in combination with transconjunctival plastic surgery, which allows to avoid scars on the outer side of the eyelid. A comprehensive solution always gives greater effect with a reduced risk of unwanted effects. An integrated approach stimulates the production of elastin and collagen, patients note an increase in skin elasticity.

Blepharoplasty – is it worth doing?

What is the essence of surgical blepharoplasty:

The surgeon makes an incision along the eyelash edge, on the inside of the eyelid or along its crease.
Soft tissue (skin, fat, muscle) is removed, moved and redistributed.
The incisions are sutured, and sometimes special glue is used.

Blepharoplasty cannot be done to eliminate an aesthetic defect, and here's why:

All operations are traumatic, and this one is especially dangerous. Near the eyes. Therefore, when you go under the knife, you put your vision on the roulette wheel of fate: whether you will be lucky or not. Eye complications during blepharoplasty occur quite often: from strabismus to complete loss of vision. Also, after the operation, various pathologies of the eyelids are possible: numbness, deformation, eversion, as well as granulomas, the effect of sunken eyes, etc.
Blepharoplasty does not solve the problem, does not eliminate the causes, but only masks the defect. As a rule, the effect lasts for several years, and then the drooping eyelid returns and falls even more heavily on the eyes.
Risking beauty, health, and vision is madness when there is an absolutely safe way to remove a drooping eyelid.

Patient reviews

Regarding upper eyelid lifts, you can find many different reviews from those who have undergone surgery online. Most of them are in a positive way. There are also negative comments, which boil down to numerous complications, long rehabilitation and lack of expectations after recovery. In any case, it is up to you to decide whether to agree to the operation or not. The main thing is that you weigh all the pros and cons, and finally decide for yourself whether it is worth spending time, money and your nerves in the name of beauty.

Very often, patients, as soon as they open their eyes and look closely at the upper eyelid, fall into panic because they see a completely different picture than they imagined. We would like to note that the rehabilitation period extends for a month or two, so the quality of the operation can only be judged after this period has passed.

There are times when the doctor and the patient do not understand each other. Is the result obtained not true? Then resort to alternative procedures or agree to repeat upper eyelid blepharoplasty. To avoid such consequences, when you come for a consultation with a surgeon, be sure to bring with you a photo of the desired eye shape and the expected result. A specialist will be able to immediately tell whether a similar effect will be achieved specifically in your case.

The following review on the beauty forum https://jenskiyforum.ru is listed in a positive way. A 35-year-old woman is 100% satisfied with the rejuvenating effect.

Another forum participant had blepharoplasty because her profession required it. The woman is convinced that you need to take drastic measures only if your work involves constant communication with people in person.

Elvy shares his impressions about the rehabilitation period. She claims that the effect will be visible after 6 months.

Elena Tonkonog had blepharoplasty on the recommendation of her friend and does not regret it one bit.

Aks-Gorosha on the forum https://vseoplastike.ru successfully underwent blepharoplasty of the upper and lower eyelids. She says that the incision was not changed, only the eyelids stopped drooping.

Thus, lifting the upper eyelid can be carried out in several ways: by surgery with incisions in the eye fold or by exposing the skin to a laser beam. In the first case, the rehabilitation period ranges from two weeks to a month, in the second it does not last longer than a few weeks.

In order to avoid possible complications, the patient should properly care for the skin and follow the advice of a plastic surgeon. If asymmetry occurs, the inability to close your eyes, increased tearing, or hematomas that occur a week after surgery, you should immediately contact the clinic.

When is surgery needed?

The answer is clear: never, if drooping eyelid is an aesthetic defect.

The surgical method is only permissible if you have health problems and cannot be solved in any other way. Here the doctor compares possible complications from the operation and an alternative scenario for the course of the disease without surgery. Based on this, he makes a conclusion whether to cut or not.

But if there are no medical indications (and with a looming eyelid, there are usually none), then the operation is not necessary and, on the contrary, is even harmful.

It is important to understand the level of the problem here. The upper eyelid, as a rule, hangs over the so-called mobile eyelid (partially or completely). It is precisely this defect that we usually call an impending eyelid.

This becomes a medical problem if the eyelid droops over the eyes and thereby limits visual function, provokes the development of strabismus, diplopia, etc. This disease has a name - ptosis (drooping) of the eyelids. In extreme forms, the palpebral fissure closes entirely. Only in the case of such pathologies can we talk about surgery - it is up to the surgeon to decide.

We work on aesthetics ourselves, with our own hands.

Complications

After each intervention, natural consequences arise. These include the appearance of swelling and bruising in the operated area. This is normal. Seeking help is required if swelling with bruising lasts longer than two weeks, causes pain and discomfort, or increases in size.

In rare cases, more serious complications are possible. The reasons may be the surgeon’s insufficient qualifications or errors during the operation, the patient’s failure to comply with recovery rules, or the individual characteristics of the body. The first two reasons can be prevented - it is enough to choose a high-quality clinic with experienced specialists, and during rehabilitation carefully follow the doctor’s instructions. In the third case, it is most difficult, since even a very experienced surgeon cannot predict individual characteristics and reactions. Fortunately, complications of this kind are very rare.

Non-surgical methods

You can and should fight drooping upper eyelids on your own, using natural rejuvenation techniques (gymnastics, self-massage). This is the only truly effective and absolutely safe way.

The approach must be comprehensive. We work on posture, neck, tendon helmet and target the problem area.

What we do:

“Draining” the lymphatic “swamp” on the face.
We relax the spasmodic orbicularis oculi muscle - it relaxes to its natural length and straightens the skin along with it.
We relax the aponeurosis of the head - after it the forehead and eyebrows tighten, returning to their rightful, “young” place.
We relieve spasms from the muscles of the neck and shoulder area so that they do not interfere with the normal outflow of lymph and blood from the head and do not pull the facial muscles along with them.
By activating microcirculation, we improve the trophism of the tissues around the eyes and renew the skin, pushing it to produce a new, correct “building” protein.

Opinion of cosmetologists

Plastic surgeons unanimously declare that anyone who wants to look 10–15 years younger must accurately imagine that the rehabilitation period will last for several months. You should be prepared for swelling and bruising.

It is best to take a long vacation from work so that recovery takes place in comfortable conditions. Once you arrive at work, your colleagues will probably be stunned by your amazing transformation.

It is absolutely not worth saving on anesthesia. After all, your life will depend on high-quality and proven drugs.

The following video of the operation will help you decide whether you are ready to take this step.

Plastic surgeon Alexander Abakumov performs blepharoplasty of the upper eyelid under local anesthesia.

In what cases can you tighten your upper eyelids yourself?

Every woman can tighten her upper eyelids, make her look open and fresh. Some people need very little time. Some people will need to practice for a long time to see results.

But the techniques work for any age, and for any reason for the “decline” of the upper eyelids.

Even if this is a congenital asymmetry, systematic exercise will give results.
Severe senile ptosis (stretched, flabby skin + muscle spasticity + gravity) can also be treated. The eyelids will tighten, the gaze will become more open.
If it's all about tissue fluid that stagnates around the eyes, then the problem is solved in no time. The drooping eyelids disappear completely, your gaze becomes wide open, like in your best years.

How to remove drooping eyelids at home

The action plan is:

Working on your posture:
We lie on a cushion and do exercises on the back, shoulders, and chest.
In this big broadcast, Annette tells a lot of useful things about the roller:
Stretch and relax your neck
: we pay special attention to the posterior surface (so that the spasmed occipital muscles do not compress the jugular veins).
You can try one of these exercises:
Rocking the tendon helmet
: “pulling” ourselves by the hair.
Watch Annette do it and repeat:
We establish the outflow of tissue fluid
: We do lymphatic drainage self-massage of the face and neck, work with our hands and vacuum cups.
This video will help you perform cupping facial massage:
Relaxing the orbicularis oculi muscle
: We perform special exercises.
Try one of these:

And one more exercise for raising eyelids and eyebrows:

We have sketched only a rough diagram of your actions and shown individual techniques.

To get a lasting and pronounced result, you need a proven set of exercises. It must take into account all the physiological nuances and mechanisms of aging. Exercises must be given in the correct sequence. Techniques should work for you, not against you (and there are some).

Such a working complex is the basic marathon “SmeloNET” from MelAnnett. Hundreds of thousands of women have tested its effectiveness. Look at the eyes of the participants before and after completing the marathon - they are more convincing than any words.

Rules for caring for eyelid skin prone to swelling

Drink at least 2 liters of water per day, but limit your fluid intake before bed.
Minimize the amount of salt, sugar, fatty, spicy foods - everything that provokes fluid retention in the body.
The optimal sleeping position is on your back, with your head resting on a low pillow.
Get rid of bad habits of squinting and frowning. If you squint due to vision problems, solve them as soon as possible. If it's from the sun, sunglasses and hats with wide brims and visors will come to your aid.
Use less eye makeup - don’t clog your pores with foundation, powder, or shadow.
Apply decongestants to your eyelids.
You can prepare compresses and masks yourself according to folk recipes. A reusable product that is always at hand is a Relax eye patch with ice seeds and lavender (sold at www.beauty365.ru). Put it in the freezer for a while, and then apply it to your eyes for a few minutes.
Gently cleanse your eyelids in the morning and evening.
An excellent option that does not require water is hydrolates (plant distillates). These natural products are gentle and moisturizing. You can choose rose, mint, sage, lavender hydrosols from the Beauty365 brand range (go to www.beauty365.ru for this).
To care for the skin of your eyelids, choose natural and not very greasy cosmetics. You can add squalane to wipes with hydrolates. These are light natural oils with a dry application effect. They are quickly absorbed and do not leave marks on the skin. Try Beauty365 squalane from sugar cane (sold at www.beauty365.ru).
While working at the computer, take breaks and do a simple eye warm-up.
Do lymphatic drainage self-massage of the face and neck and eye exercises daily.

A healthy lifestyle is the key to beauty

Do not ignore the general rules, the observance of which is necessary for your health, beauty and youth.

Proper nutrition, drinking enough, physical activity, good sleep, mental health, giving up bad habits - these are the basics needed to look good.

Your eyelids do not exist in isolation from the body. All processes must be streamlined: the blood must be saturated with oxygen and nutrients, the heart and blood vessels must drive it to the goal, the tissues must receive everything they need from it, the lymph must take away all the “garbage” from the cells, the muscles must contract and relax easily, etc. .d. All this is necessary to ensure that the skin of the eyelids is elastic and taut.

It just seems that drooping eyelids and a healthy lifestyle are two concepts that are completely distant from each other. Try to live a different, healthy life, and you will understand that they have a very strong connection.