INITIAL RECOVERY TIME: 7 DAYS
FINAL RESULTS: 3 MONTHS
The first thing people notice when they meet you? Your eyes. And you know how important first impressions can be. Unfortunately, the thin skin on the upper and lower eyelids are one of the first places where signs of aging show. Not only can drooping, heavy eyelids cause a man to appear tired or grumpy, but sagging skin can even impair your field of vision.
Cosmetic eyelid surgery, called blepharoplasty, can address these unwelcome signs of aging, refining your appearance and correcting vision problems caused by sagging eyelid skin. Most men find the surgery and recovery process surprisingly easy and rewarding—they’re back to work within 1 week and enjoy a freshly recharged confidence for many years.
As we age, skin loses elasticity and gravity takes over. This effect can be particularly obvious around the eyes, causing the upper eyelids to droop and look heavy. Sagging skin and fat can cause puffy or wrinkled bags under the eyes as well. Eyelid surgery can address these issues, removing the excess skin that hangs over the upper eyelids and repositioning fat, skin and muscle to smooth out under-eye bags.
For men, eyelid surgery can offer many benefits, including:
Men have several options for blepharoplasty in Richmond. Dr. Chen can address issues on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. He tailors the procedure to your specific needs, making subtle adjustments that make the corrections you seek while retaining your naturally masculine eyelid contour.
For upper lid blepharoplasty, Dr. Chen removes excess, drooping skin and repositions remaining tissues. Incisions are made in the natural eyelid crease, and once healed, the scar is well-concealed. Surgery takes approximately 1 hour to perform, and post-operative discomfort is minimal.
Goals with upper blepharoplasty include:
During lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Chen removes herniated fat and any excess skin that is pooling beneath the eyelids. Incisions are placed along the lower lash line, hidden from view. Lower lid blepharoplasty also takes about 1 hour to perform and results in little post-operative discomfort.
Goals with lower blepharoplasty include:
If you’re primarily bothered by deep creases between the eyelids, BOTOX injections may be the most appropriate option. BOTOX relaxes the muscles around your eyes, stopping you from forming “expression lines” that can cause an angry or worried appearance. Dermal fillers and skin resurfacing treatments can also enhance the results of eyelid surgery by rejuvenating the surrounding areas of the face
Dr. Chen’s male eyelid lift patients are usually back to normal activity within 2 weeks after surgery. Eyes will appear slightly swollen and bruised, and they may tire easily during the first week after surgery. Most patients require minimal pain medications to stay comfortable. Applying cold compresses as well as lubricating ointment to your eyes will help enhance comfort and minimize post-op swelling.
The majority of post-operative swelling and bruising subside within 2 weeks, and most men return to work within about 1 week after eyelid surgery. However, plan to take more frequent breaks to rest your eyes, especially if you work at a computer. Do not engage in strenuous exercise, lifting, bending and straining for about 2 weeks, or until Dr. Chen clears you for activity. Typically, final results are evident within 3 months after surgery.
There’s no need to let the appearance of your eyes keep you from feeling your most confident. If there’s something you’d like to correct, contact us for a consultation with Dr. Chen.