If you have recently looked in the mirror and failed to recognize the fatigued or sad-looking eyes staring back at you, you are not alone. The eyes are one of the features quickest to show signs of aging; but luckily, plastic surgeons have a bevy of solutions to correct these imperfections. Here, Dr. Arie Benchetrit discusses three common ways that the eyes age, and what he can do about it.
Puffy “Bags” Form
The lower eyelids normally have small pads of fat designed to protect the eyes. With age, the tissues around the eyes and the muscles supporting the eyes weaken, causing the pads to bulge outward, creating the illusion of puffiness or “bags.” Fluid can also accumulate underneath the eyes and accentuate the puffiness.
There are a few ways to address this problem. Injectable fillers can be used to smooth out the border of the bags so they are less noticeable. Or, blepharoplasty can be performed to surgically remove the fat pads or redistribute the fat to create a more youthful and attractive eye appearance.
Eyes Look Hollow
For some people, the fat pads around the eyes do not bulge with age — instead, they shrink. This causes the eyes to look sunken and hollow, especially on faces that are more slender. Losing weight can exacerbate the problem.
A non-invasive way to fill in these deficient areas and correct the hollow look is to inject a hyaluronic acid-based filler deep into the tissue. These fillers act as a cushion and “inflate” the area. For a surgical fix, lower eyelid surgery removes loose skin underneath the eyes and repositions fat to smooth out the sunken skin. These methods can be combined as well.
Outer Corners Droop
Youthful eyes typically have an almond shape, with the inner corner slightly lower than the outer corner. Over time, gravity and age can cause the outer corners to droop downward to the point that they are level with or below the inner corner.
A surgical procedure called a canthopexy or canthoplasty can correct the problem. Through a tiny incision on the outside corner of the eye, the underlying muscle is repaired and sutured into place to elevate the outer corner.
If you are bothered by any of these signs of aging in the eyes (or other signs of facial aging), Dr. Benchetrit can help. The experienced plastic surgeon offers a range of surgical and non-surgical treatment solutions to rejuvenate the facial features and restore a youthful glow to the face.
Call (514)-695-7450 or email our Montreal plastic surgery practice today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Benchetrit.
