Are our eyes really the window to our souls? Well, if that's the case, then you'll definitely want to join in and discover how to keep your eyes shining bright like a diamond! 

This week let's talk about eye care and eye procedures that can really help your eyes pop!

The skin on our eyelids is very thin, and as a result, it's the first place where aging becomes noticeable. This thinness makes our eyelids more prone to issues like sagging, the appearance of wrinkles, and the gradual drooping of both the upper lids and brows. 

Let's break it down by area of concern and see what can be done!

One common concern is the folding of the upper eyelid skin over the eyelid, causing skin sagging. This can make wearing eyeliner impossible and, worse, even get in the way of your vision. Fortunately, upper blepharoplasty is an in-office procedure that, when performed by trained surgeons, can be a game-changer for patients. Here's what it is:

Upper Blepharoplasty aka 'eyelid lift'

This is a great procedure that involves surgically removing excess skin from the upper eyelids, and often, it can be performed in the office without the need for general anesthesia. While not every procedure offers a quick fix, this one comes pretty close. The result? The extra skin is gone, and the eyelids are tightened!

Lid Ptosis: Some people think they need eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) when their eyes won't open very wide, but it's actually a condition called lid ptosis. You can determine if you have ptosis by examining the colored part of your eye (the iris). A normal eyelid will barely cover the top portion of the iris, while with ptosis, more of the iris will be covered. Fixing ptosis can be tricky, and that's where an oculoplastic surgeon comes in—they're experts at correcting this!

If you're not sure about undergoing surgery for lid ptosis, there's an alternative worth considering: Upneeq, a new FDA-approved medication. This innovative treatment can provide a temporary solution by contracting the muscles that elevate the eyelid. This slight opening of the eye by 1-2mm can make your eyes pop and give the appearance of a visibly 'bigger' eye. You'll notice the results right away within 10-15 minutes, and they last for 6-8 hours.

Now what about those puffy bags under the eyes? 

They show up when your skin loses its elasticity, and fat starts protruding or pushing out from the orbital septum—the thin tissue that holds the eye in place. But here's the good news: a lower blepharoplasty can help fix it! 

Lower blepharoplasty: Similar to an upper blepharoplasty, this procedure is convenient and can be performed in an office without the need for general anesthesia. The best part? It can often be done without leaving a scar on the skin. Your surgeon will make a tiny cut on the inside of your lower eyelid (called a transconjunctival incision) to take out or reposition the fat causing the under-eye bags. It's a simple way to fix them without leaving any noticeable marks or scars.

Now sometimes our eye rejuvenation actually involves the eyebrows! With age these start to droop and fall below the bony socket of our eyes (the orbital rim) leaving our eyes feeling heavy and weighed down. A brow lift is a great way to pull those eyebrows back into alignment with the rest of our face. Usually this can be done with a small incision in the hairline with minimally visible scars. 

Lastly, for those not interested in surgery, a laser like a CO2 device is great at tightening the skin around here, sometimes helping stave off a surgical procedure! Chemical peeling is also a great non-invasive way to tighten the skin of the eyelids without surgery, especially for early signs of aging. 

If our eyes really are the windows to our soul, be sure to take care of those baby blues, greens, browns and hazels! Incorporating daily sunscreen, wearing sunglasses, and using moisturizers are important steps in ensuring their well-being. For more tweaks, see a cosmetic surgeon like a plastic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, or dermatologist These professionals have specialized skills to enhance your eyes further and achieve the best possible results!

Tune in to this week's podcast episode featuring Dr. Sarah Avila as we talk all things eyes: common conditions, blepharoplasty, lid ptosis, brow lifts, and the latest eye aesthetic trends.

Follow Dr. Avila here:- 

https://www.instagram.com/drsarahavila/

A new podcast episode drops every Monday!