A person’s eyes are one of the first things we notice when we look at someone. Eyes play an important role in how we appear and communicate and relate to other people. They can reveal our age, mood, emotions, energy level or even the lack of sleep! When the lids and regions around the eyes are giving off signs that someone is tired, worn down or depressed, it can send unintended signals and make that person feel self-conscious. Fortunately, there are several surgical and non-surgical procedures that can improve the appearance of one’s eyes.
Face lifts, brow lifts and eyelid lifts are safe plastic surgery procedures that can correct some of the effects of aging and make you look more youthful. An eyelid lift, also called blepharoplasty, is a facial rejuvenation procedure that can reduce droopy eyelids and puffy bags under the eyes, as well as diminish the presence of lines, creases and wrinkles.
A brow lift, also known as a forehead rejuvenation, is a cosmetic procedure that raises the brows, and smooths out wrinkles and creases on the forehead. Aging typically causes the brows to move down. The lower position of the eyebrows can make you look tired, angry or sad. A brow lift can raise the eyebrows and restore a refreshed, more pleasing appearance.
There are also several non-surgical options to improve the appearance of the eyes. These include skin care products and injectables. Premium, medical-grade skin care products including those from ZO Skin Health and SkinCeuticals (available at our practice) can help optimize skin health based on the latest advances in skin therapy technologies. They also have offerings that can reduce the darker pigmentation of the lower lid skin and help clean up dark circles.
Dermal fillers such as Restylane® and the new longer-lasting RHA® Collection can be injected to provide volume, especially in the cheekbones. The unifying theme of dermal fillers is that they “fill in” areas that have lost volume to create a smoother, more youthful appearance. Additionally, we often use fat grafting for the lower lid area as the result is more natural appearing and longer lasting.
Dysport® is commonly used to treat and prevent wrinkles around the eyes (“crow’s feet”) and can give a lifted appearance to the eyebrow. These products are injected into the muscles around the outer part of the eye area to temporarily relax the muscles. Results typically last 3-4 months and treatments need to be repeated to maintain results. That said, I am thrilled to announce that Blackhawk Plastic Surgery & MedSpa will soon be the only Northern California provider of a revolutionary new wrinkle treatment that lasts up to 6 months (that’s twice as long as Botox!)
Curious to learn more about which surgical and non-surgical treatments for the eyes are right for you? Call us at 925-736-5757 for a complimentary consultation with me or one of our Aesthetic Nurse Practitioners. We look forward to hearing from you!
By Dr. Stephen J. Ronan, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery and MedSpa
