Do people often remark that you look sad, stressed out, or exhausted? If so, eyelid surgery, a procedure performed at Northstate Plastic Surgery Associates in Chico, CA may be right for you. Today, our aesthetic experts are taking a closer look at this procedure, including what the right age is to undergo it. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is the Right Age To Get Eyelid Surgery?
People who get eyelid surgery are usually in their mid-30s at least. This is because the aging process visibly affects the eyelids in most people by this time. However, if you are at least 18 years old and concerned about the appearance of your eyelids, this procedure may be right for you.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
If you’re 18 years of age or older, there is a good chance you will qualify for eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, regardless of whether you’ve only recently grown frustrated with the appearance of your eyelids or you have been displeased by the appearance of your eyelids for your whole life. If you have “permanent” bags under your eyes, lower blepharoplasty is the perfect procedure for you.
If your upper eyelid skin is loose and sagging, upper blepharoplasty is the perfect procedure for you. Also, you may be a good fit for either procedure if you have excess muscle, fat, or skin tissue troubling you. Nevertheless, to qualify for upper or lower blepharoplasty, you need to be in fairly good health. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that you come in for an initial consultation to make sure you are currently healthy enough for this procedure.
What Medical Conditions May Make Someone a Poor Fit for This Procedure?
Several medical conditions may disqualify someone as a blepharoplasty candidate. For instance, heart conditions will probably disqualify you because a crucial preparation step is refraining from taking NSAIDs for several days in a row. However, it is unlikely that your primary care physician will allow you to discontinue the use of NSAIDs for several days to prepare for eyelid surgery. You will also be disqualified as a candidate if you are ill.
If you come down with an illness, you must wait at least 14 days to receive this procedure because it takes a lot of energy for your body to simultaneously protect you from other potential infections and recover from the current infection affecting your body. Additionally, you will be disqualified from this procedure if you are nursing or pregnant.
Why Have My Eyelids Started to Sag and Droop?
Factors that change the appearance of your eyelids include alcohol and tobacco consumption, sun damage, diet, and genetics. Here’s a closer look at some of the reasons why your eyelids change in appearance over time.
Skin Changes
Your eyelids are one of the first places to show the signs of aging due to how thin your skin is in the area. In fact, few regions of your body have skin as delicate as your upper eyelid skin. Unfortunately, the fragility of the eyelid skin makes it very susceptible to aging quickly. For example, it is much more noticeable when the proteins and fibers in your upper eyelid skin significantly weaken due to the aging process.
Also, your upper eyelid skin is highly susceptible to being damaged by the sun’s UVC rays because people often forget to apply sunscreen to their upper eyelids every four hours. Moreover, the thin skin of your upper eyelids can’t stand a chance of resisting the effects of decades of gravity.
Muscle and Fat Tissue Changes
Besides skin changes, muscle and fat tissue changes occur over time, affecting your eye region. For instance, your orbital septum, the thin membrane that keeps your fat and muscle tissues separate from your skin, weakens over time. Also, eyelid muscles have a tendency to weaken over time. With the weakening of your orbital septum, the fat beneath your eyelids starts to shift. This can result in “permanent” under-eye bags that remain despite sleep.
Unfortunately, a healthy diet and solid skincare routine in addition to plenty of rest are not enough to eliminate under-eye bags that are caused by shifting fat deposits. Also, the fat beneath your upper eyelid skin can shift, resulting in puffiness in the upper eyelids.
How Should I Prepare for Blepharoplasty?
There are many other steps you should take to prepare for blepharoplasty besides not taking blood-thinners. For instance, you may not consume alcohol or tobacco products in the days leading up to your procedure. Moreover, it is very important to ensure that you are hydrated.
Discover Today Whether Now Is the Right Time for Blepharoplasty
If you’re concerned about the appearance of your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, there is a good chance that you are the right age to undergo blepharoplasty. While most people who undergo this procedure are in their mid-30s, any adult may qualify if they have loose and sagging eyelid skin, excess fat deposits under the eyes, or excess eyelid skin. Contact us today at Northstate Plastic Surgery Associates in Chico, CA to learn more.