When you look in the mirror, do you see a face that looks fresh and alert? Or does your face look tired and droopy?
If you choose the second option, your eyelids impact your appearance more than you realize. Drooping eyelids are a common problem that can make you look older or more tired than you are — and you have treatment options to refresh your look, improve your vision, and restore your confidence.
Walter D. Gracia, MD, PA, is a plastic surgeon in Fort Worth, Texas, and he has extensive experience in blepharoplasty, a popular cosmetic procedure to lift sagging eyelid skin. Here's what you need to know about why drooping eyelids happen and what you can do about it.
The medical term for drooping eyelids is ptosis. It happens when the skin above your eye falls, creating folds of excess skin and even restricting vision in severe cases.
Anyone can have drooping eyelids, and a few of the most common causes are:
Age triggers changes in your skin. Your skin's elasticity diminishes as you age, causing the skin around your eyes to lose its firmness. This can lead to excess skin and fat accumulating on your upper eyelids, creating a droopy appearance.
Along with the natural aging process, the sun’s UV rays can accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin in your skin. Prolonged exposure to the sun's harmful rays (especially if you don’t wear sunscreen) can contribute to eyelid drooping.
The muscles responsible for lifting your eyelids can weaken over time. Coupled with aging skin, this muscle weakness contributes to sagging skin around your eyes that obstructs your vision and gives you a tired look.
Unfortunately, some people are genetically predisposed to develop drooping eyelids earlier in life. If your parents or close relatives have experienced this issue, you are more likely to face it.
Your skin health is a reflection of your overall health. That means unhealthy lifestyle habits, like smoking, poor nutrition, and inadequate sleep, can all contribute to premature aging and drooping eyelids.
Blepharoplasty is an eyelid surgery designed to correct drooping eyelids and rejuvenate the appearance of your eyes. Dr. Gracia and our team start with a customized consultation, where we examine your face, review your medical history, and discuss your goals.
We offer two main types of blepharoplasty: upper eyelid and lower eyelid.
If you have excess skin and fat on your upper eyelids, an upper eyelid blepharoplasty removes and repositions excess tissue. We make a small incision in the natural crease of your eyelid and tighten your skin to create a more youthful and alert appearance.
A lower eyelid blepharoplasty could be a good option if you have under-eye bags and sagging in your lower eyelids. This procedure involves making an incision either just below your eyelashes or on the inside of your eyelid. We remove excess fat and skin to deliver a smoother, more refreshed look.
Blepharoplasty effectively addresses sagging skin, eye wrinkles, and under-eye bags to help you regain a more youthful and rested appearance. Results are long-lasting, and the vibrant look you achieve can help boost your self-confidence and improve your overall well-being.
You don't have to live with drooping eyelids. Schedule a blepharoplasty consultation with Dr. Gracia and our team to determine if it's the solution you've been hoping for. Call us at 817-336-9450 or request an appointment online now.
