Blepharoplasty is an aesthetic treatment of upper eyelids that is meant to restore their youthful appearance by removing the excess of limp skin and reducing layers of fat that make eyes look „tired and sad”. It is one of the most commonly used methods of face rejuvenation, restoring proper tension of eyelids skin. The effects are visible for at least 15 years.
There are two different types of blepharoplasty: a traditional one and a laser one. Their point is to remove the excess of limp skin. There is also a laser dermabrasion of skin, that consists of limp skin vaporisation with its resurfacing that stimulates its thickening.
Traditional blepharoplasty:
Traditional and laser blepharoplasty or laser dermabrasion.
Traditional blepharoplasty of the upper eyelid consists of making cuts with a scalpel through which the excess of skin and fat tissue from the eyes area can be removed.
Laser blepharoplasty:
Laser blepharoplasty of upper eyelids is more beneficial for a patient. The laser is used here as a cutting tool and that is why we use a name “laser blepharoplasty”. This treatment is not very different from the traditional one, but doctor’s precision is higher and bleeding during treatment – reduced. As C02 laser closes blood vessels the swelling and bruising is reduced. It is also possible for a patient to return to normal everyday activities sooner than after the traditional treatment – even after one week.
Scars that the treatment leaves are hidden in an eyelid deflection and are not visible after complete healing. The effect of a traditional or laser blepharoplasty of upper eyelid is long-term – it can remain visible even for 15 years.
Laser dermabrasion:
Laser can also be used as a tool to restore a proper tension in the skin. Various methods of resurfacing, e.g. fraction C02 laser therapy, are to stimulate production of new collagen fibres, and skin thickening makes wrinkles shallower. The treatment, even though it also requires only local anaesthesia, it is not recommended for people with a problem with an excess of skin, because it will not bring the best possible effects.
During the last years, the trend of removing the lower amount of tissues (without removing a circular muscle of the eye) dominates. It makes the face look natural and youthful with no risk of the facial features becoming too sharp and “skull like”. The treatment does not require general anaesthesia, but local injection of lidocaine and epinephrine reduces bleeding and the injection as such does not cause much pain.
After the injection, the precise cut along the marked lines is made. The upper line runs in parallel to the line of eyebrows and the lower one – 10 mm over the eyelid rim. The lines of the cut encompass the limp skin area. We remove the excess of limp skin and, if necessary, fat tissue, without any damage to the circular muscle.
The wound is closed by single, nylon stitches that are left for 7 days because of a great skin tension over the wrinkled circular muscle. Sewing the skin with the undamaged circular muscle make the tissues increase their volume.
Complications after the treatment of eyelids are rare and lack of satisfaction usually results from patient’s unrealistic expectations.
The eye area may be swollen for around two weeks after treatment.
The choice between laser or traditional blepharoplasty and laser dermabrasion is not easy and should be made individually in each case.
Prices of traditional blepharoplasty and laser one are similar, usually around 4500 – 6000 PLN.
Dermabrasion with a fraction laser is much cheaper – around 2900 PLN.
Visits, consultations, and procedures are available only by prior phone registration (call or SMS): +48733386649, or by scheduling an appointment through the online form (click below 'Umow sie')."
dr. Maciek Sznurkowski doctor