Which is Best - Eyelid Surgery or Facelift?
We can't stop the passing of time and the effects aging has on our complexion and body, but we can certainly slow it down a bit with the help of plastic surgery! With the natural aging process, skin loses elasticity, wrinkles and fine lines become more and more visible, the skin becomes saggy, the eyelids droopier, and the face contours start to fade. To improve the aspect of the face and correct some of the imperfections that occur with time, we can resort to plastic surgery interventions such as eyelid surgery or a facelift. But which one is best? Let's have a look at the details.
What is Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty is the medical term we use for the very popular eyelid surgery. This is a procedure performed at the eyelids level to correct droopy skin and improve the contour of the eyes. In some cases, the procedure needs to be performed more for medical purposes than aesthetic ones as it can improve the patient’s eyesight.
What happens is that as we age, the collagen production is reduced and, as a result, the skin becomes saggy. The excess of skin that occurs translates into skin folds and wrinkles. In some cases, when the eyelids are droopy, there are also fat bags under the eyes, creating an even more unpleasant aspect of the face.
Aside from the aesthetic issue, this skin excess at the superior eyelid level can become an issue for eyesight, especially peripheral vision. The eyelid surgery is performed to eliminate the excess of skin, as well as the fat bags, and create a better contour for the eyes.
The eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid, or both. The intervention is performed under local or general anesthesia, and it only targets the eyelids and the eye area.
Just like it is the case with any other plastic surgery intervention, it is important to discuss the details with the plastic surgeon before scheduling the procedure. It's essential to have realistic expectations and to be fully aware of the results that can be expected once the procedure is performed.
Why is Eyelid Surgery Recommended?
As we've mentioned before, the eyelid surgery corrects the aspect of droopy eyelids or fat bags under the eyes. Skin folds and fat bags at the eyelids level can lead to the patient always looking tired.
The eyelid surgery can be performed on patients of any age, but most often, people undergoing the procedure are over 35 years old. When vision is obstructed, the correction of the eyelids can be performed much sooner in life.
The intervention aims to correct certain signs of aging (the fat deposits and excess skin), but it only addresses the eye area. After the eyelid surgery, the patient might look much younger (and rested!); however, the procedure is not performed to improve the face's overall aspect.
What is the Facelift?
The facelift is an aesthetic procedure that aims to reduce the most visible signs of aging present at the face level. The natural aging process, as well as the effects of gravity and sun exposure, can leave marks on our complexion – wrinkles, lines, saggy skin, and so on. The muscles of the neck and face can also be affected in time. While a facelift can't stop the aging process, it can certainly take a few years off your face! The plastic surgeon might recommend associating the facelift with a neck lift or lipo to get a natural result.
When is the Facelift Surgery Recommended?
This plastic surgery intervention is recommended for patients who have:
Deep wrinkles and fine lines;
Accentuated nasolabial folds (folds that occur vertically, from the nose to the mouth);
Loss of volume at the level of the cheekbones;
A dry, wrinkled, dull aspect of the face with sagging skin;
A wrinkled aspect of the neck (turkey neck).
The facelift allows for the correction of aging signs present at the level of the face, from the temples to the mandibular edge. The procedure is often performed on patients over 40-45 years old.
When the facelift intervention is performed, the plastic surgeon will eliminate excess skin but also address potential fat deposits with liposuction or areas with volume loss with fillers or fat injections.
Facelift Versus Eyelid Surgery
The facelift procedure can be performed in association with other procedures, including eyelift surgery. However, the interventions are very different in terms of the surgical approach, the results they deliver, and the areas targeted. While the facelift addresses the signs of aging at the level of the facial contours, the eyelid surgery only targets the eye contour.
Both procedures can deliver spectacular results when performed by an experienced, talented, board-certified plastic surgeon. There is no one size fits all, no "best" procedures when it comes to plastic surgery. Each intervention is customized to provide the desired results to each patient. And there are no two patients alike. This means that the eyelid surgery might be the best procedure for you if you have droopy eyelids or fat bags under the eyes but no other signs of aging at the face level. The facelift is the best choice when there are multiple signs of aging present at the face level, affecting the face's contour. And if you are suffering due to both droopy eyelids and saggy skin on the face, the best solution might be a combination of the two procedures.
Find out the best option for you by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Essie Yates, board-certified plastic surgeon in Fort Lauderdale, at the Yates Institute for Plastic Surgery.