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Two common signs of
aging are a wrinkled forehead or droopy eyebrows.
One of the most common concerns is the upper
eyelids, which are a combination of the upper eyelid
skin and the eyebrow skin. The forehead lift, in
the past, was an unacceptable procedure to many
people because it meant a large incision which went
across the top of the forehead and from ear to ear.
Today, the operation is
performed endoscopically. There are only three to
five small incisions, and no hair needs to be cut or
shaved. The operation uses a minimally invasive
technique employing an endoscope and microscopic
equipment. Scalp and hair are preserved. The brows
elevate in a natural way without creating a startled
look. The forehead drops because of laxity of the
skin assisted by gravity. It is further pulled down
by the Depressor Muscle Group which is situated
above the nose and in and about the eyebrows, and
can create a scornful or angry look. The muscle
group called the Elevator Group elevates the brows,
but they have to work very hard against the ravages
of gravity, aging, and loss of elasticity.
Droopiness of the upper
and lower lids is a frequent aesthetic problem. The
upper lid problem is normally a combination of upper
eyelid fullness and droopiness of the brows. There
are patients whose upper eyelids are improved just
by brow surgery and there are other patients need a
combination of both procedures to achieve a desired
result. The upper eyelid operation involves removal
of skin, some muscles and the unwanted fat which
create hooding. This incision is made in a natural
crease.
Should the patient have
droopiness of the eyelids, this can also be
corrected at the same time. Also corrected at the
time of eyelid surgery is the descent of the outer
aspect of the eyelid complex. With the upper lids,
it is important to remove only enough tissue so that
the eyelid still closes easily. This obviates the
concerns of dryness, irritation, and other problems.
The lower lid is treated
by a combination of approaches depending on the
anatomical problem. For most patients the removal
of fat is done transconjunctiivally, which means
from the inside of the eyelid. The external
approach can be used for removing extra skin and /or
muscle. Approximately 96% of our patients have a
transconjunctival removal of fat and a resurfacing
procedure to tighten the skin. Depending on the
skin type, this could mean a laser or chemical
peel. These operations restore a youthful
appearance to one of the most important areas of the
face: the eyes. It should be noted that eyelid
surgery is frequently performed on young people.
For additional
information on facelifts visit:
www.plasticsurgery.org |
