Why Blepharoplasty May Not Be Enough

When the time comes to begin thinking about eyelid rejuvenation, many people draw one of two conclusions. Typically, the first approach considered is dermal fillers. The other option for refreshing the eyes is blepharoplasty. Both are common treatments sought by patients who visit our St. Louis and St. Peters offices. While we consider both dermal fillers and blepharoplasty advantageous procedures, we don’t count them out as excellent partners when it comes to the correction of age-related cosmetic concerns around the eyes. Here, we discuss why the two together may be better than either alone.

Blepharoplasty is a surgical eyelid procedure that can resolve particular issues. Upper blepharoplasty is performed to smooth superficial tissue that has become loose and saggy. The upper eyelids do also have small fat pads that are necessary for providing contour. These fat pads may be repositioned through a tiny incision in the natural crease of the eyelid. Lower blepharoplasty can also redistribute fatty tissue across the lower curve of the eye to reduce puffiness. Loose tissue here may also be trimmed to make the area beneath the eyes look smoother. These are beneficial improvements, but they don’t address every detail of youthful-looking eyes.

As we age, we experience bone loss in addition to volume loss in the skin. Imaging analysis demonstrates a widening of the orbital sockets around the eyes in older study participants, indicating that some of the cosmetic changes that age the eyes are related to bone density. Blepharoplasty can re-drape tissue over the new structure around the eyes, but it cannot restore volume that deteriorates over time. This is where dermal fillers come in.

The purpose of dermal fillers is to increase volume in soft tissue. Increasing volume makes the skin look plump, youthful, smooth. When treating the eyes, dermal fillers improve appearance by easing the transition between the upper cheek and the lower eyelid (called the tear trough area). Fillers are also often used to restore the width of the temples, which narrow as we age.

True eye rejuvenation doesn’t end with the eyelids themselves. An experienced oculofacial plastic surgeon sees the nuances of facial structure and meets the needs of each face accordingly. To learn more about refreshing your eyes, call 314-567-3567.