Have you noticed that your eyes no longer appear as wide as they used to? It’s not your imagination — with age, your upper eyelids slowly start to sag. If you don’t like the way this common change affects your appearance, the good news is that you have a couple options. In this blog, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Garrett Harper and Dr. Richard Graper review a couple of ways you can give your eyelids a rejuvenating lift.
What Causes Eyelid Sagging?
Occasionally, drooping eyelids are the consequence of a medical condition like diabetes, stroke, or tumor, but usually ptosis is simply attributed to aging. Not only do your eyelid muscles become gradually weaker over time, but the skin around your upper eyelids becomes less taut. This, in turn, pushes down on your eyelids, making them more challenging to open completely.
In severe cases, eyelid ptosis can obstruct your eyesight by diminishing your field of vision. However, in most cases, drooping is predominately a cosmetic issue. You may wish to elevate your eyelids to rejuvenate your face, since drooping eyelids can make you seem older and tired, even if you happen to feel full of energy.
Your Cosmetic Options for Eyelid Elevation
Blepharoplasty, specifically upper blepharoplasty, is the surgery used to lift your drooping lids. During this procedure, Dr. Harper and Dr. Graper carefully remove some of the excess skin and fat along the eyelid to permit the eyelid to open more fully again. At the same time, they can tighten weakened eyelid muscles so that the muscles have the strength to open widely. Typically, patients are thrilled that their face looks more youthful and refreshed without seeing any evidence of obvious surgical enhancement.
Another surgical option is brow lift. The primary goal of brow lift is to smooth the forehead while elevating the arch of the eyebrows, but this procedure can also have a positive effect on the position of your eyelids. Dr. Harper and Dr. Graper mainly utilize the endoscopic approach, which achieves great results despite being a less invasive alternative to traditional brow lift.
Speak to the Experts
Aging may be unavoidable, but you can take steps to keep a younger looking appearance. To reverse some of the cosmetic effects of drooping eyelids with cosmetic procedures, please meet with Charlotte’s best team of plastic surgeons at Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery to devise a customized surgical plan. Call 704-375-7111 to book an appointment.