When is surgery the solution for eyelids, and when is hyaluronic acid?
Wrinkles around the eyes, dark circles, or drooping upper eyelids are the most visible signs of aging on the face. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest and, therefore, the first to lose elasticity. To prevent these signs of aging, many opt for aesthetic procedures that eliminate these changes and achieve a rejuvenated appearance—dermal filler application as a non-surgical method and blepharoplasty as a surgical procedure.
Which procedure is right for you?
Each patient is approached individually, considering all factors that influence the doctor’s final decision on the recommended type of procedure. The choice of treatment depends on the condition of the skin around the eyes and face, your age, health status, and genetics.
Sensitive area
The skin around the eyes is particularly delicate and prone to aging. The area under the eyes lacks the usual layer of connective fatty tissue, making it more susceptible to the appearance of dark circles due to its subtle structure. A network of small blood vessels is present in this region.
Dark circles take on shades of blue or brown. With aging, the skin in this area easily loses elasticity and becomes wrinkled, leading to the formation of under-eye bags.
Although primarily an aesthetic concern, dark circles can also indicate certain health issues, such as liver and kidney problems, thyroid disorders, and others.
Over time, the upper eyelids begin to droop, the skin becomes wrinkled, loose, and darker due to the reduced elasticity of the connective tissue in this region. The formation of fatty deposits and eyebrow drooping also contribute to these changes. For some individuals, genetic predisposition plays a larger role than aging itself, leading to drooping eyelids even at a younger age.
Causes of dark circles and drooping eyelids
Dark circles appear for multiple reasons. On one hand, there is a genetic factor, and on the other, environmental influences such as harmful UV radiation and inadequate skincare. Additionally, aging contributes to the loss of skin tone and firmness, while certain medical conditions, such as kidney, liver, thyroid, or cardiovascular issues, can cause puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.
If the problem is not health-related, it is often due to the so-called tear trough. As aging progresses, gravity pulls the face downward, creating wrinkles below the lower eyelid that connect the inner corner of the eye with the cheekbone. This makes the face look tired, and the skin around the eyes dehydrated, negatively affecting the overall appearance of the face.
The issue of drooping eyelids
Loss of muscle tone and gravity also negatively impact the upper eyelids, which gradually droop, especially toward the outer corners of the eyes, giving the face a sad and fatigued expression.
There is a solution for dark circles and drooping eyelids
Since this is a delicate area with extremely thin skin, it is crucial to perform corrections properly, professionally, and precisely, applying the appropriate anti-aging method.
Dark circles
If dark circles are your concern, hyaluronic fillers can provide a temporary solution. This aesthetic procedure is applied when there is a hollow under the eyes but not in cases where there are under-eye bags or excess skin folds that cause puffiness. Specially formulated fillers for this region are injected beneath the eye and into the upper cheek area to restore volume. After the procedure, the thin skin is lifted away from the underlying structures, making blood vessels less visible and significantly reducing the appearance of dark pigmentation under the eyes.
If you want these dark circles to disappear completely, they can be treated with special meso-cocktails. The effect of fillers in this region typically lasts around 12 months, after which the procedure can be repeated.
IMPORTANT
This delicate procedure must only be performed by a licensed aesthetic surgeon who can precisely determine the correct injection site, dosage, and depth for hyaluronic acid application. If the filler is injected too superficially or incorrectly, excess product may appear close to the skin’s surface as a bluish swelling.
Solving upper eyelid issues with fillers
Hyaluronic fillers can also be used, to a lesser extent, to lift the upper eyelid. This is achieved by injecting hyaluronic acid into the eyebrow area. Lifting the eyebrows also results in a slight elevation of the eyelid. However, this method is only effective if the upper eyelid is not significantly drooping.
Permanent solution for upper and lower eyelids (dark circles)
Blepharoplasty is a permanent solution for lifting and tightening the upper eyelids and removing dark circles. The surgery can be performed individually on either the upper or lower eyelids or can address both regions simultaneously.
You are a candidate for upper eyelid surgery if reduced connective tissue elasticity has caused your eyelid to droop and pull the outer corners of your eyes downward.
If you have pronounced under-eye bags and wrinkles, the solution is lower eyelid surgery.
Additional methods for eyelid correction
Fat transfer
Fat transfer involves extracting a small amount of fat from the patient’s body (most commonly from the outer hip area), processing it, and injecting it into the under-eye or eyelid area. Unlike fillers, this method provides a permanent solution and delivers excellent results in filling the eyelids and correcting hollows.
Nano Fat technique
This advanced method utilizes fat tissue for regeneration and repair. Nano Fat contains fat cells and stem cells that stimulate tissue regeneration. This technique is particularly effective in reducing dark pigmentation, rejuvenating tissue, and improving discoloration on both the upper and lower eyelids.
How to choose the right procedure?
Depending on the condition of your skin, medical history, and clinical examination, the doctor will recommend the most suitable procedure or a combination of treatments. When making the decision, factors such as the patient’s preferences, recovery readiness, budget, and expectations regarding the longevity of results are taken into account.