Blepharoplasty: What Is It, | Risks, Results, Options and Cost

Introduction

The drooping or sunken eyelids, bags under the eyes, wrinkles, or pronounced dark circles, are symptoms that appear on the face over the years, which gives a tired appearance and dulls the look. In some cases, you are already born with droopy eyelids or you can contract a disease that causes drooping, according to MedLine Plus specialists.

That is why many patients seek a solution through blepharoplasty to eradicate excess skin from the upper eyelids, eliminate the fat that accumulates in that area and improve the appearance of the bags that form in the eyes. Thanks to technological advances in medicine and cosmetic surgery, today it is possible to undergo blepharoplasty without surgery using various techniques, which will translate into effective results and shorter recovery times.

What is blepharoplasty without surgery?

The eyelids and the eye contour area are an area that especially reflects the passage of time. The skin is more sagging and folds appear due to excess skin, drooping eyelids, small wrinkles, bags, and dark circles are marked giving our eyes an appearance of fatigue, sadness, or aging that does not correspond to reality. At present, there is a great interest in aesthetic treatments for the rejuvenation of the eyes, and a blepharoplasty is an excellent option. There are surgical techniques and other non-surgical ones.

Blepharoplasty, by definition, is the surgical treatment to correct these defects can distinguish two surgical techniques for blepharoplasty:

1. The traditional blepharoplasty (with a traditional scalpel called a cold scalpel, aided by electrocautery also called an electric scalpel).

2. Laser blepharoplasty. Co2 laser is commonly used in surgical mode.

Although it is not an academically correct term, it is already common to speak of “blepharoplasty without surgery” to refer to medical treatments or techniques without surgery to rejuvenate and give a fresher air to the look. We can distinguish 2 groups:

Non-surgical treatments (blepharoplasty without surgery):

1. Techniques with different appliances :
   1. CO2 laser blepharoplasty, Erbium, and Fraxel laser, (laser blepharoplasty without surgery or laser resurfacing)
   2. Plasma generating equipment. (not laser equipment)
   3. Radiofrequency
   4. Ultrasound (HIFUS)
   5. Pulsed Light Equipment (IPL)
   6. Others

2. Injectable techniques of various products: hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxin, calcium hydroxyapatite, PRP with growth factors, vitamins, fat, CO2 gas, etc.

 

Who is the candidate?

In general, a candidate is anyone who, with discreet cosmetic defects, not very marked, wants to improve the sad, tired or aging aspect of their eyes. If you are considering rejuvenating your look with small touch-ups, without surgery or with non-invasive techniques, with minimal recovery time, blepharoplasty without surgery is undoubtedly a good option in many cases.

At are specialists in rejuvenating the look and they affirm that their objective is to restore brightness and freshness to the look natural, with subtle changes that do not change the expression of the look. The important thing is to prioritize getting natural results that make you feel better and regain the feeling of being 10 years younger again but without ceasing to be you. In many cases, it is achieved with techniques without surgery, but miracles do not exist. Marked fat pockets and excess skin only respond to surgery, and in these cases, blepharoplasty surgery with Co2 laser is the best option, completing it with periocular laser resurfacing. of the skin around the eyes to achieve comprehensive rejuvenation of the look.

Only after the medical evaluation of each patient will we be able to indicate if they are suitable for treatment and what is the best-personalized solution for their particular case, says adding that many times we associate non-surgical techniques with surgery.

People with unrealistic expectations, or who are not in good mental or physical health, are not candidates. Blepharoplasty without surgery is also contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Likewise, patients with skin problems, such as abrasions, eczema, or wounds, will not be able to undergo this type of treatment either.

 

How do I choose my surgeon?

When choosing the center and the professional, you have to take into account some key aspects such as their specialization, experience, and what devices they use.

Non-surgical blepharoplasty treatments have to be performed by a doctor. There are perfectly qualified aesthetic doctors, but if the doctor who is going to treat you is a surgeon, specializing in medicine and cosmetic surgery, the better. Ideally, put yourself in the hands of professionals who have the more “tools” the better. Only the professional expert in surgical and non-surgical techniques can offer you the best solution for your particular case, and many times they are associated.

Surgeons who perform blepharoplasties, both surgical and non-surgical, are usually plastic surgeons and oculoplastic surgeons, although there are also maxillofacial. And which of them is more qualified? Any of them if you have enough experience.

But the proximity of the eye makes any procedure around the eye, require great skill and experience. And who is better than an oculoplastic specialist, that is, a specialist in plastic surgery and ocular aesthetics, who is also an ophthalmologist?

According to the) an ophthalmologist must be the one who operates around the eyes. They have many advantages in any procedure, surgical or non-surgical. They are used to working on the eye and its environment, they use microsurgical techniques with the utmost precision. And at the same time, they know and know how to treat the possible ocular complications that may arise.

What is the first appointment with the surgeon like?

In the first consultation with the specialist surgeon, you should review your medical history which will determine your state of health. It will also explain in detail what the intervention consists of and the results to expect.

In addition, during the first consultation, the surgeon will evaluate the infraorbital area to determine the condition of each patient, according to their age and lifestyle. The surgeon will also study the following aspects:

• If there are fatty bags inside the upper part of the eyelids and also, in the lower eyelids
• If there are hereditary factors that influence the precocity and the alterations
• Laxity of the eyelid
• If there are wrinkles on the skin of the eyelids. These wrinkles can be fine and very deep
• If excess skin and oil on the eyelids give a tired and aged appearance
• The sinking and lack of fat in the eyelid area, since in the process of facial aging occurs because the fat of the face is reabsorbed and the dark circles and other facial furrows are further marked, according to the specialists the.

Although for, a blepharoplasty specialist, the term “without surgery” is not correct, since blepharoplasty is a surgical intervention by definition, he explains that despite the treatment that is chosen, it is important that the surgeon knows the patient’s medical history, especially in the case of people who have had laser, cataract, glaucoma or retina eye surgery. It is also important to know if the patient has any other medical problems, drug allergies or if they take medication regularly.

Based on the results of this evaluation, the surgeon will determine whether or not the patient is a candidate for blepharoplasty without surgery, since in older patients the only way to obtain the expected results is with surgical blepharoplasty.

According to the specialists of the during the consultation, you will be asked if you are under ophthalmological treatment and if you wear contact lenses or glasses.

 

How is blepharoplasty performed without surgery?

Laser resurfacing, or laser blepharoplasty without surgery

Laser resurfacing can modulate the depth of skin renewal. Resurfacing is a regeneration technique, renewal, and treatment of skin laxity after applying laser, nonsurgical way fractional infinity of points making a pixelated skin. CO2, Erbium Yag, and Fraxel lasers are used. The Resurfacing periocular is applied on the eyelids and around the eyes, but also in other areas of the face.

The treatment consists of applying multiple impacts of laser light that generate thermal columns and penetrate the skin at different depths. The laser treatment causes the accelerated renewal of the superficial layers of the skin, and at the same time stimulates the production of collagen in the deeper layers

According to, his clinic, they apply periocular resurfacing with a CO2 laser to correct small excesses of skin and folds on the eyelids, smooth small wrinkles, and achieve smoother, brighter, and brighter skin. The results are very flattering, but it has their limitations: already marked fat pockets and excess skin only respond to surgery, and in these cases blepharoplasty with a Co2 laser is the best option. In his clinic, they have a CO2 laser that has a surgical terminal and another terminal for rejuvenation or resurfacing. At the end of the intervention, they change the surgical terminal of the laser for a fractional terminal with a scanner and perform a laser resurfacing of the skin. to achieve comprehensive rejuvenation of the look.

Periocular rejuvenation with plasma

Plasma is not a laser and is manually applied point to point. To tighten the skin and correct small excesses of skin on the upper eyelid, in addition to the fractional CO2 laser, Erbium, Fraxel, etc., there is other equipment such as radiofrequency and plasma. Most centers that advertise blepharoplasty without surgery refer to plasma treatment. In many cases, they are called plasma-laser, plasma laser, laser-Plexr, and even laser blepharoplasty. Make no mistake, they are not laser equipment. And the results are not as effective or as long-lasting. The rejuvenating effect with CO2 laser is superior to that achieved with Erbium laser and both far superior to the effect achieved with plasma equipment.

With the laser, a scanner terminal is used that automatically pixelates the skin, with an infinity of tiny, barely visible dots. Therefore, the intensity and depth can be regulated, and with it, the effectiveness and recovery time.

The plasma pen, or plasma pencil, as these devices are also called, is very similar to an electric scalpel that does not contact the skin. They generate an ionized gas, which creates small sparks. The professional manually makes, point by point, multiple points similar to very superficial “micro burns” to induce the retraction of the skin. The retraction is usually low, requiring between 3 to 5 sessions. They do not generate collagen and elastin production like the laser does. The effect usually lasts a short time, requiring in most cases to repeat the procedure from time to time. It does not correct the bags.

Although not all plasma generating equipment is the same, equipment such as the plasma pen is not subject to any specific regulations. The prices of these devices range between € 100 and € 12,000. Laser equipment is over € 50,000 and is for medical use only. Each of them has its limitations and its virtues.

 

Other techniques used for blepharoplasty without surgery

It is important to also detail other techniques that are used to improve the appearance of the look :

As described by ophthalmologists and oculoplastic surgeons, the techniques used are the following:

• Erbium Pixel Laser Blepharoplasty. With the pixelated laser, we achieve a complete rejuvenation of the skin around the eyes, producing a tightening of it that will raise the upper eyelid and give firmness and youth to the skin of the lower eyelid.
• Blepharoplasty with Botulinum Toxin: Botox is used to eliminate expression lines and crow’s feet but can also be used to elevate the upper eyelids and eyebrows. In this way, a more awake and vital look is achieved.
• Blepharoplasty with Vitamins: A cocktail of vitamins and hyaluronic acid infiltrated with microinjections that hydrate the skin and obtain a more rejuvenated look.
• Blepharoplasty with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma): Plasma from the patient that is rich in platelets and stem cells is infiltrated. In this way, the creation of new collagen is stimulated, which will serve to tighten the skin around dark circles and the eye contour. In addition, the color and quality of the skin will be improved.
• Blepharoplasty with autologous fat: Fat is extracted from the patient from the agreed area to infiltrate it into the groove of the eyes. With this technique, it is possible to correct the dark circle that was sunken and also improves the quality of the skin in this entire area.
• Blepharoplasty with Tensioning Threads: If tensioning threads are placed around the eyes, the firmness of the skin is improved. If on the contrary, they infiltrate the eyebrow, the upper eyelid and/or the eyebrow are raised.
• Blepharoplasty with medical Peeling: We can renew the skin using Peeling and also tighten it. The Peeling can be performed superficially for a flash effect of the look or medium and deep to achieve tightening and completely renew the skin.
• Blepharoplasty with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): With the pulsed light we achieve that the dark color of the dark circles is reduced. This procedure is indicated for light skin with dark circles, which is generally due to an excess of melanin. It is also recommended for dark circles that have a vascular component.

What are the main advantages of having a blepharoplasty without surgery?

There are several advantages and benefits when choosing this treatment, among which are:

• The results are almost immediate (some can be seen after 2-3 days)
• There is no bleeding, as it does not correspond to surgery
• Treatments do not leave a scar
• There are risks of infections
• There is a quick recovery, almost without pain and inflammation
• Shorter post-operative recovery time
• It is a fast and safe treatment

 

The greatest benefit of this type of treatment is that it is done on an outpatient basis and the patient doesn’t need to be admitted to the hospital, nor does it require an exhaustive post-operative period.

 

How is the recovery from blepharoplasty without surgery?

explains that in the case of a blaferoplastia laser recovery time is 2 to 3 dies and may have slight swelling. In addition, he says that the recovery is not painful or interferes with vision.

Patients are advised to avoid sun exposure and wear glasses in the event of having to go outside. Also that they sleep horizontally for the first 3 days. In addition, some specialists usually recommend the use of creams to relieve bruising and inflammation that usually appears after treatment. Also, the patient should avoid makeup and facial creams for at least a week. It is also recommended to suspend physical activity and sports for a few days.

In the case of laser blepharoplasty, there are small scabs that fall 4 or 5 days after the operation. It is important to note that each of these recommendations will vary according to each case and it is important to discuss them with the surgeon during the first visit to the consultation.

Are there any complications or side effects?

Most specialists agree that there are no major complications or side effects in these treatments, however, some may have:

• Unhappy with the results
• Inflammation of the treated area
• Present some type of discomfort that can be treated with painkillers

What are the results of blepharoplasty without surgery?

Like the advantages, the results that can be observed are multiple:

• Reduces bags under the eyes
• Provides a filler for depressed areas around the eyes
• Softens the look of tiredness
• Improves the sinking of the tear grooves
• Improves and eliminates the pigmentation of dark circles
• Look up, tightening the skin of the eyelid
• Looks a younger and fresher look
• Helps the patient to have more self-confidence

Frequent questions

• Is it normal for no scabs to appear after a laser blepharoplasty treatment? It is not normal. Scabs always appear and take time to fall off on the fifth or tenth day. If this happens, you should go to your treating doctor who is the person indicated in the first place to assess your case, as emphasized by
• What is more effective for periocular rejuvenation, plasma treatment, or laser resurfacing? assures that with both techniques there can be good results, as long as their indications and limitations are respected. Plasma treatment, with the right equipment as not all are the same, can correct a slight excess of skin on the upper eyelid and make the eye clearer and rounder. Laser resurfacing too, and we can also effectively remove crow’s feet, forehead, and cheek wrinkles. With fractionated laser the skin is more homogeneous, eliminating small spots, and smoother, smoother, and brighter. The laser also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin so the tightening effect is longer. In general, the rejuvenating effect with CO2 laser is superior to that achieved with Erbium laser and both much superior to the effect that is achieved with plasma devices.
• At what age can I undergo blepharoplasty treatment without surgery? The option to do rejuvenation or blemish treatments is ageless. It should be done when the patient and the medical evaluation so advise, regardless of chronological age, since factors such as stress, heredity, tobacco, and the sun, among others, will influence. Those who establish when to start treating a problem or prevent it is the specialist who must evaluate it on a case-by-case basis says
• Is the fractionated CO2 laser recommended to tighten the upper eyelid area? The specialists at the Maysoon Clinic in Valencia explain that the upper eyelids are a complicated area, due to the extreme thinness of the skin that covers them and the high gravitational influence on this area, which added to the high mobility. This makes any non-surgical treatment obtain partial or in some cases unsatisfactory results, depending on the degree of flaccidity and the patient’s expectations. With this nuanced, the CO2 laser can indeed be used to treat the said area, as long as it is a fractionated CO2, although the result and the absence of complications will depend more on the experience of the person who handles the laser, than on the device itself.
• Is blepharoplasty without surgery performed without anesthesia? The same result is achieved as with traditional blepharoplasty but with sedation or general anesthesia, without unnecessary scars or risks, says
• Are excess eyelid skin and bags removed with blepharoplasty without surgery? According to For these cases there are various blepharoplasty techniques without surgery using different devices such as laser resurfacing, radiofrequency treatment, plasma devices, IPL, etc., each with its virtues and limitations. We can have flattering results that improve your appearance if there are small wrinkles or the excess skin is incipient and very discreet. But you have to be realistic and not create false expectations. There are no miracles, and in more advanced cases or if there are already marked fat pockets, the best solution is likely to be surgical blepharoplasty with a Co2 laser, which we always complement with laser resurfacing for periocular skin rejuvenation.
• Are they effective in rejuvenating other areas of the face? From indicate that laser resurfacing can be applied to other areas of the face, such as the barcode or the cheeks, and in these cases plasma treatment is ineffective. With laser we can effectively remove wrinkles around the eyes, crow’s feet, forehead, and cheeks and, by applying it to other areas of the face, remove wrinkles from the barcode, as well as remove acne marks and replace the wrinkled skin of the face for a smooth and bright.
• Is the recovery time longer in blepharoplasty without laser or plasma surgery? The specialists of they state that there is no big difference in the payback period. The estimated period for the incorporation of works for the public is about 5 to 7 days. With sunglasses, you can go out in two or three days. After applying the plasma there is slight inflammation for two or three days, forming small scabs that fall off in 5 to 7 days. After the application of the laser light, the skin will be brownish until the surface layer is shed. Afterward, the new skin will appear pink for a period varying from 1 to 4 weeks. To camouflage it, apply tinted sunscreen or makeup on the treated area and hydrate it deeply. The greater the intensity of the laser application, the greater the effectiveness since the renewal of the skin is deeper but in this case, the recovery period is prolonged.
• I did blepharoplasty with a plasma pen 4 days ago and it has. I greet some swollen bruises under the very large eyes !! It is normal? When they leave I have very swollen cheeks, and they told me that ibuprofen does not It is normal that after plasma laser blepharoplasty there is intense inflammation that takes several days to disappear. It is part of the “excess skin” removal process. In our center, we apply in the following days a treatment with messenger enzymes that reduces inflammation and improves waste elimination to minimize recovery time.
• What to wear after blepharoplasty without surgery advise you to apply some type of regenerating-recuperating cream 2 times a day on the area where you have the erythema (pink area) after the scab has fallen off. Keep it clean and avoid friction as much as possible.

• Laser blepharoplasty, how long can it take for the redness to disappear? In some patients, it may take a little longer for the redness to disappear. In this case, some treatments accelerate the disappearance of redness. You can go to a consultation for your assessment.