Look Younger with Eyelid Surgery

Your eyes are the first thing people notice about your appearance. They’re also the first to show your age, as your delicate eyelids droop and bags form under your eyes. Eyelid surgery is a great way to solve these problems and trim years from your appearance.

When Dr. Robert Guida performs eyelid surgery at one of his offices in Carnegie Hill, Staten Island, and New York, New York, you can count on his artistic eye, a gentle hand, and years of experience producing results that restore your youthful looks.

What happens to your eyelids over time?

Your eyelids go through the same normal aging process that affects all your facial skin. Over time, eyelid skin becomes dehydrated, thins out, and produces less collagen and elastin, the two proteins responsible for strong, resilient skin.

The difference between your eyelids and the rest of your face is that eyelids show the effect of aging earlier because:

• Eyelid skin is naturally thinner and more fragile than facial skin
• Wrinkles form as muscles are repeatedly used to squint, blink, and make other expressions
• Sun exposure causes dehydration and structural changes
• Genetics may increase your tendency to have heavy eyelids

What common eyelid problems affect your appearance?

Let’s take a look at the two most common eyelid problems that occur over time, one affecting your upper eyelids and the other making a dramatic difference in your lower eyelids:

Droopy upper eyelids

Ptosis is the medical name for droopy eyelids. Although ptosis can arise from nerve damage, it most often develops as skin and muscles stretch and weaken.

You can’t avoid the problem because it’s primarily caused by the natural depletion of collagen and elastin. The process is gradual, yet it often seems like one day you look in the mirror and the change has appeared overnight.

Your upper eyelids can also droop when the thin layer of fat normally found in the eyelid begins to drop down. This occurs as the thin membranes that hold the fat in place begin to thin out and the fat sags, pulling on the eyelid.

Ptosis may occur in one or both eyes. Beyond making you look older, ptosis can also interfere with your vision or lead to blurry vision.

Baggy lower eyelids

Many patients have excess, loose skin on their lower eyelids that gives their undereye area a baggy appearance. You’ll also develop bags when fat falls to the effect of gravity and begins to accumulate under your eyelid.

Your appearance may also suffer from the appearance of darkened skin next to the baggy fat. Although dark skin is often nothing more than a shadow cast by the enlarged fat, it may also be caused by skin discoloration from exposure to sunlight.

How does eyelid surgery solve your problem?

When you’re ready to take years from your appearance, eyelid surgery is the way to rejuvenate your eyelids. This type of surgery, called blepharoplasty, can be done on your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both.

Eyelid surgery lifts your eyes and improves your appearance by eliminating:

• Excess fat
• Loose or sagging upper eyelids
• Excess skin on your lower eyelid
• Bags under your eyes
• Wrinkles on your lower eyelid

When Dr. Guida performs upper eyelid surgery, the incisions are carefully made in areas where the scar won’t be visible. Lower eyelid surgery may be done through the inner surface, so you won’t have a cut on the outside of the eyelid.

The doctor removes loose skin and excess fat, repositions and tightens underlying muscles and tissues, then closes the incision.

Although you’ll need to take it easy for a short time and follow specific care instructions, it doesn’t take long for your eyelids to heal.

After eyelid surgery, you’ll look revitalized and younger. Friends will notice the difference, but if they don’t know you had surgery, they’ll just marvel and wonder how you manage to stay so young.

When you notice heavy, sagging eyelids, come in, meet Dr. Guida, and learn about your options for refreshed, younger-looking eyes.