What is blepharoplasty and what is it for
Often the eyelid area is the first to change as the face begins to age: the eyes can take on a less youthful, sagging, and lax appearance. In addition to making the gaze look tired, marked, less lively, and less expressive, in more pronounced cases it can even make it difficult to fully open the eye, reducing vision.
Sometimes, especially with a family history of eyelid bags, this problem may already be present at a young age.
The procedure used to correct eyelid defects is blepharoplasty, an operation that removes excess skin and excess fat—the so-called “eyelid bags”.
Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids and must be planned and customized according to each person’s specific needs. Most of the time, blepharoplasty is performed on all four eyelids at once. The goal is always the same: to remove age-related changes without altering the natural expression of the eyes.
Blepharoplasty surgery: how it takes place
Blepharoplasty is performed using appropriate instruments. Among these, a specific laser can be used to remove excess skin and fat. The laser promotes coagulation, helping reduce post-operative swelling and the risk of bruising.
Because incisions are hidden within natural folds and the eyelids tend to heal well, scars are usually barely visible after a short time in the vast majority of cases.
Upper blepharoplasty
An incision is made in the upper eyelid crease, after which the excess skin and fat are removed. This restores a very natural look without altering expression.
Lower blepharoplasty
The incision is made on the lower eyelid, just below the lash line. Excess fat and skin are removed here as well.
What kind of anesthesia is expected for blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is usually performed under local anesthesia with a few hours of observation. Depending on patient preference, it can also be performed under general anesthesia in a day-hospital setting.
Post-operative: what happens after blepharoplasty
Recovery after blepharoplasty is typically quick: swelling subsides within a few days and scars become almost invisible. The rejuvenating effect often provides great satisfaction.
Complications due to abnormal scarring—such as lagophthalmos (incomplete eye closure) and ectropion (excessive lower eyelid laxity)—are very rare in expert hands and, in any case, treatable.
Stitches are usually removed after 5 days.
Post-operative convalescence is fast: you can usually return to normal activities after about 7–14 days, especially if you use opaque sunglasses or make-up.
FAQ
Do you have questions about blepharoplasty?
Start here.
There is no specific age. Surgery is indicated when excess skin or obvious bags appear.
Yes. In these cases, eyelid laxity can be corrected and tone improved to help maintain results over time.
One key is to place the eyelid skin incisions along the axis of existing wrinkles to minimize scar visibility.
The operation respects the patient’s features and removes negative age-related changes such as excess skin or fatty herniations that cause eyelid bags.
Yes. Due to familial predisposition, eyelid bags may appear at a young age; surgery can remove them and restore an age-appropriate appearance.
No. The eye itself is not touched—the procedure is external, through the skin.
No. In older people with tissue laxity, simple moist compresses are applied to the eyelids for the first few hours and can be removed when needed for vision.
