“You look tired”… Three words that you never want to hear, especially if you’ve just had a good night’s sleep.
For most people, the eyes are often the first sign of the natural ageing process. The muscles in this area can start to weaken and the eyelids can begin to stretch and sag – as early as your 30s. And the result is a consistently fatigued and weary appearance (no matter how refreshed you feel inside!).
Fortunately, we can help. At our clinic in Rayleigh, we now offer blepharoplasty (i.e. eyelid surgery). This is one of the most effective and efficient ways to improve hooded eyelids. But as it involves surgery, people can – as you can expect – have reservations about whether it’s worth the risk. To help allay your concerns, here we take a closer look at what it involves and what to expect.
The procedure
Yes, going under the knife may seem scary – particularly if you’ve never done it before. But there’s absolutely nothing to be afraid of. The blepharoplasty procedure is performed by our skilled plastic surgeon, Ricardo Tejero, who is fully-qualified and has many years’ experience in this field.
We will use local aesthetic to numb the area, so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort. And the procedure typically lasts for one hour or less. Tiny incisions will simply be made along the natural crease of the eyelid. Excess skin and tissue will be removed. And small sutures will be used to close the incision and aid the healing process.
The recovery phase
Blepharoplasty is deemed ‘outpatient surgery’. Therefore, after the procedure is complete, you can leave the clinic immediately – and begin your recovery from the comfort of home.
The recovery process takes approximately 1-2 weeks and your sutures will need to be removed five days after the treatment. So, it’s a good idea to have a few days rest after your procedure.
During this time, it’s important to rest. Some patients experience blurry vision immediately after blepharoplasty surgery and mild side effects can occur – such as swelling, irritation and bruising. But these are temporary and can be easily managed with painkillers, eye drops and ice packs.
You should also avoid exercise and strenuous activities for 1 – 2 weeks and, to allow the incisions to heal properly (and minimise the risk of infection), make-up must not be worn for at least 2-3 weeks. The surgeon will provide detailed information on aftercare before you leave the clinic.
The results
Blepharoplasty surgery achieves impressive and natural-looking results. Luckily, the eyelids heal quite easily. As the incision is located along the crease, it leaves a tiny scar that is barely noticeable. And the procedure typically restores a refreshed and youthful appearance around the eyes.
Aside from the aesthetic benefits, you may also notice an improvement in your vision. This is because drooping and sagging skin on the eyelids can often obstruct your field of view.
The results of the treatment will last for many years. But it’s important to have realistic expectations. Blepharoplasty does not stop the ageing process – it just sets it back a little bit. Which is why, many people choose to combine it with other cosmetic treatments or repeat surgery in the future.
Is blepharoplasty right for me?
Blepharoplasty is a great way to target eyes that look tired all the time. And for anyone with dark circles, excessive skin, or noticeable lines and wrinkles on the eyelids, it could be a fantastic option. If you’re considering this procedure, we recommend getting in touch with our team.
Here at Aesthetics of Essex, we have excellent knowledge of this type of surgery and we’re always happy to help. We can either answer your questions over the phone or you can book a free consultation, in which we can discuss your ‘eye issues’, address any concerns you may still have, and advise on your suitability. Simply give us a call on 01708 225555 or 01702 831200. Or if you prefer, send an email to info@aestheticsofessex.co.uk and we’ll respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.
