Loose, sagging, and aging skin in the eyelid area hinders vision and impacts our appearance, making the face look tired, angry, or older. Blepharoplasty or eyelid lift surgery helps restore the eyes for a more youthful overall appearance and correct functional concerns. As a popular, rejuvenating procedure, blepharoplasty offers an ideal solution for patients looking to refresh the appearance of their eyes. But how long do the results from blepharoplasty last?
At Daugherty Plastic Surgery, we want you to feel your bright-eyed best. With Dr. Robyn Daugherty, we’ve gathered information to answer your questions about the factors that affect blepharoplasty results and what you can do to extend your results.
What Factors Influence the Longevity of Blepharoplasty Results?
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, removes excess skin and fatty tissues and tightens the muscles of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The procedure can also remove loose or sagging skin that hinders vision. The delicate skin around the eyes is one of the first places to show signs of aging, making blepharoplasty a popular choice for those looking to restore the appearance of the eye area for a well-rested, refreshed look.
Many factors can impact the longevity of an eyelid lift, including:
- Healthy Lifestyle Habits help maintain blepharoplasty results, including getting enough sleep, wearing sunscreen, consuming a balanced diet and steady exercise routine, and staying hydrated. Habits like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sun exposure, and poor nutrition choices can shorten the duration of your results.
- Environmental Factors like excessive sun exposure age the skin around the eyes very quickly. Wear dark sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and sunscreen (SPF 30+) daily. Use moisturizers and specific eye creams to avoid the effects of weather-related dry skin.
- The Blepharoplasty Type and extent of your procedure impact the longevity of your results. Dr. Daugherty will discuss your expected results and estimate their duration.
- Your Age when you have an eyelid lift impacts the result duration. Youthful skin is more resilient due to higher collagen levels. Collagen and elastin production slows down considerably in our 50s, which leads to wrinkles and sagging, dry skin around the eyes.
Comparing Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty: Which Lasts Longer?
Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin to sharpen the upper eyelid crease and create more space above the lash line. Lower blepharoplasty addresses undereye bags by removing fat pockets and excess skin with a thin incision at the lash line or inside the lower lid.
Typically, the results of lower eyelid surgery last longer than upper eyelid surgery. Lower eyelid surgery permanently removes excess fat, leading to long-lasting results. Upper eyelid surgery results generally last about 10 years before the skin may begin to sag due to forehead or brow sagging.
How Aging Affects Your Eyelids Over Time
While blepharoplasty improves the signs of aging around the eyelids, it cannot stop the impact of aging. Many factors impact the way the skin around the eyes ages.
- Decreased collagen and elastin production impact skin elasticity, causing upper eyelids to droop
- Muscles supporting the eyelids can weaken with age, creating a droopy appearance and making undereye bags stand out
- Age-related bone recession around the eye sockets can make sagging skin and fat prominent
- Fat deposits may shift or decrease, leading to undereye bags or a hollowed appearance
- Brow positions may descend with age, creating pressure on the upper eyelids and making hooded lids worse
- Muscles around the eyes can chronically pull down the brow and surrounding eyelid skin
The Role of Genetics in the Durability of Blepharoplasty
Genetics play a significant role in the duration of blepharoplasty results, including your predisposition for:
- Skin aging
- Dark circles
- Puffiness or eye bags
- Drooping eyelids
- Response to surgery
Tips to Extend the Results of Your Blepharoplasty
Here are some of Dr. Daugherty’s tips to extend your blepharoplasty results:
- Protect your skin with sunblock with an SPF of 30+ and protective clothing
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, exercise, and plenty of sleep
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Thoroughly follow all post-operative care instructions
- Consider non-surgical treatments like Botox and fillers to refresh your appearance and to decrease the chronic downward pull of the muscles surrounding the eyes on your brows and eyelid skin
- Maintain regular follow-up visits
How Lifestyle Choices Impact Blepharoplasty Longevity
Many lifestyle changes can ensure your blepharoplasty results last as long as possible.
- Sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ daily, protective clothing, sunglasses, and hats.
- Stick to a healthy lifestyle with exercise, nutritious foods, adequate hydration, and plenty of rest.
- Quit bad habits that negatively impact your health like smoking and consuming alcohol.
- Keep your collagen and elastin as healthy as possible by staying hydrated and nourished. Eat plenty of protein and vitamin C to help your skin produce more collagen.
What to Expect 5, 10, and 15 Years After Blepharoplasty
After 5 years, most patients are still satisfied with their upper and lower blepharoplasty results. Typically, upper blepharoplasty results last 10 years before the signs of aging may impact your appearance. Lower blepharoplasty results can last 10 to 15 years with proper skin care and recommended treatments. In 10 years, aging can impact your results as skin becomes lax, tissues loosen, cheeks droop, and lower eyelids retract.
After 15 years, patients who have had blepharoplasty may still see some benefits, but the eyelids may begin sagging again, and fat deposits may develop due to the natural aging process.
Can Non-Surgical Treatments Prolong Blepharoplasty Results?
Extend your blepharoplasty results by protecting the delicate skin around your eyes from the sun. Especially after eyelid surgery, sun exposure can impact your results by causing scarring, hyperpigmentation, and other sun damage.
Dr. Daugherty offers other non-surgical treatments, like Botox and Fillers to help complement and prolong blepharoplasty results. Botox and dermal fillers are injectable solutions that can smooth wrinkles around the eyes, prevent sagging skin, and add volume.
Schedule Your Baton Rouge Blepharoplasty Consultation Today!
Refresh your appearance and achieve long-lasting eyelid lift results when you partner with board-certified Dr. Robyn Daugherty, one of the best blepharoplasty specialists in Baton Rouge! Contact Daugherty Plastic Surgery at (225) 235-3884 or complete our online form to schedule your blepharoplasty consultation today!