According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, over 325,000 Americans chose to go under the knife in 2020 to restore a more youthful appearance to their eyes. Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a corrective procedure used to address both cosmetic and functional concerns related to the upper and lower eyelids. By removing excess fat and tightening the surrounding skin, blepharoplasty can restore a balanced, more youthful appearance. Unfortunately, surgery cannot improve all of the visible signs of aging around the eyes. Even after excess skin has been removed and tightened with eyelid surgery, patients may still struggle with uneven texture and discoloration around their eyes. Luckily, there are several non-invasive treatments and products that can help improve these concerns. Here are six non-surgical ways to enhance your eyelid surgery and ensure long-lasting, beautiful results!
#1 – Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
When our bodies are dehydrated, our skin pays the price. It can become dry and tight, causing fine lines and wrinkles around our eyes to become more noticeable. Dark under-eye circles may also become more pronounced because dehydrated skin can temporarily thin and show underlying vessels. Strive to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of water each day to ensure your skin receives adequate hydration to perform and look its best!
#2 – Be diligent about skincare and SPF.
Our eyes are prone to premature aging due to three major factors:
- As adults, we do not produce sebum, or oil, around our eyes which can lead to dryness and exaggerated fine lines.
- The eye area is very expressive. Repeated muscle contractions can cause fine lines and wrinkles on the overlying skin.
- Our eyes are prominently placed on our faces and are vulnerable to environmental damage, especially the effects of sun exposure which can break down collagen and cause discoloration and wrinkles.
It’s essential to wear a daily SPF to prevent aging around the eyes. Many topical antioxidants and SPF products are now specially formulated to be used on the delicate, sensitive skin around the eyes. They can even help brighten and smooth the skin in this area.
Retinol products are also very effective in combating the visible signs of aging around the eyes. Retinols boost collagen production to keep skin firm and plump while also regulating cellular turnover to keep the skin around our eyes smooth and supple.
#3 – Get selective about the style of your sunglasses.
If you’re concerned about aging around your eyes, it’s time to embrace your inner “Jackie O” and go BIG with your sunglasses. Larger frames and lenses will ensure that a broader surface area of the face is protected from UVA/UVB rays and prevent you from squinting, which can cause fine lines to form over time.
#4 – Limit your screen time.
Chances are if you’re scrolling through your newsfeed on a smartphone or reading your Kindle in bed, you are squinting. Over time, the repeated contraction of the muscles we use to squint can break down collagen and elastin around our eyes and cause wrinkles, aka “crow’s feet.” Prolonged screen time can also strain our eyes, and the blue light emitted from electronic devices may contribute to premature aging of the skin around the eyes.
#5 – Take advantage of laser skin treatments.
Laser treatments can be especially beneficial around the eyes area because the skin here is so delicate and responsive. SkinTyte™ is a treatment offered at Skin Artisans that uses safe, non-ablative, far-infrared heat technology to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin. A series of treatments around the eyes can help smooth skin’s texture and create a subtle, youthful lift with repeated treatments.
#6 – Fine-tune and tweak with Botox® and dermal fillers.
Cosmetic injectables like Botox® Cosmetic, Dysport®, Restylane®, and Juvéderm™ can enhance your skin’s smoothness after eyelid surgery and restore volume under the eyes to further enhance your new, refreshed look.
Botox® & Dysport®: Neurotoxins, like Botox® and Dysport®, aren’t just helpful in preventing and treating crow’s feet around the eyes. They can also be used to enhance a blepharoplasty by very subtly elevating the brow. Suppose a patient has a very slight drooping of the lateral brow. In that case, a neurotoxin may be skillfully injected to generate a slight lift to this area and further improve the refreshed look a patient has received through eyelid surgery. This approach is beneficial for those patients who are not yet ready for a full surgical brow lift.
Dermal Fillers: As we age, the area under our eyes can begin to appear hollow or gaunt. Although eyelid surgery can help remove and tighten any excess skin in this area, it cannot restore lost volume. Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers can address this by attracting water from surrounding tissue wherever they are injected to create a “plumping” effect. This revived volume can fill hollows and smooth the under eyes to create a more youthful appearance.
If you are thinking about eyelid surgery, or have already had a blepharoplasty performed, consider scheduling a complimentary consultation with a Skin Artisans Advanced Practice Esthetician and Injection Specialist to learn how they can further enhance your surgical results!
Schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss eyelid surgery with an Edina Plastic Surgery plastic surgeon by calling (612) 688-3177, texting (952) 925-1765, or CLICKING HERE.
Schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss non-surgical eye rejuvenation methods at Skin Artisans by calling (952) 234-8414, texting (952) 767-3163, or CLICKING HERE.
