The muscles, fat, and skin around your eyes will become weaker as you get older. These changes can cause you to develop heavy bags under your eyes, droopy eyelids, and other problems. At The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL, we can improve your appearance by providing you with an upper lid blepharoplasty, a lower lid blepharoplasty, and other cosmetic procedures.
How Long Does a Blepharoplasty Last?
A blepharoplasty Tampa is an aesthetic procedure that is used to improve the condition of the skin and other tissues around your eyes. Although this procedure cannot stop your skin from aging in the future, it can improve your appearance for a long time. The specific length of your results will depend on the type of cosmetic techniques that we use to improve this part of your face.
Long-Lasting Improvements
An upper lid blepharoplasty Tampa may improve the condition of your upper eyelids for about five to seven years. A lower eyelid procedure may last for more than 20 years. Since this type of eyelid procedure will last for a very long time, you will be unlikely to need follow-up procedures.
Protecting Your Skin
To help your eyelids stay fresh and youthful, you should take good care of your skin. You should use hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your face when you go outside in the sunlight. In addition, you should use powerful anti-aging beauty products.
If you don’t have a skincare regime, we can help you select products that will fit your skin type and preferences. For example, the Obagi Skin Care line offers a variety of products that can decrease your chance of developing wrinkles and sagging skin in the future.
What Types of Eye Procedures Can I Receive?
The skin around your upper or lower eyelids may become loose and puffy over time. We can use several different methods to fix these problems and give your eyes an alert, refreshed appearance.
Getting an Upper Eyelid Procedure
As your skin becomes older and weaker, your upper eyelids are likely to become droopy and loose. If this issue is severe, your eyelids may obstruct your vision. In addition, this change can make you look unhappy and tired. We can refresh this part of your face and enhance your vision by providing you with an upper lid blepharoplasty Tampa.
During this procedure, we will make tiny incisions into the creases in your upper eyelids. We will use these small incisions to eliminate extra fat and skin from this part of your face. Once your eyelids have recovered from your upper lid blepharoplasty Tampa FL, you will look rested, vibrant, and alert. If your eyelids were blocking your vision, this procedure may improve this medical issue.
Getting a Lower Eyelid Procedure
In addition to developing sagging eyelids, you may have bags under your eyes. If you are suffering from this cosmetic issue, you might look tired or sad when you are actually feeling energetic and happy.
We can use a transconjunctival approach to fix your lower eyelids. During this procedure, we will make very small incisions in the inside of your lower eyelids. This technique will allow us to remove unwanted materials from your eyelid area without creating noticeable scars on your face.
Combining Procedures
It’s normal to have aesthetic issues that affect your upper and lower eyelids. Under some circumstances, we may be able to reduce your puffy eyes and droopy upper lids during a single appointment. When you have your initial meeting with us, we can tell you more information about the benefits of receiving multiple eyelid procedures at once.
What Instructions Should I Follow Before My Procedure?
We will give you a detailed list of instructions that you will need to follow before your appointment. These instructions will vary depending on the type of eyelid procedure you are getting, the anesthesia that you are going to receive, and other variables.
Taking Supplements
We may advise you to start taking Bromelain or Arnica Montana. These homeopathic products will prepare your tissues for the recovery process. In addition to taking these supplements, you may need to avoid aspirin and other blood thinners for about seven to 10 days before your procedure.
Preparing for Your Recovery Period
We may instruct you to take medication during your recovery period. You should fill this prescription before you receive your eyelid procedure. In addition to filling your prescription, you may need to set up a recovery room in your home. We may also instruct you to stop consuming beverages and food by a certain time on the day before your procedure.
What Will Happen During My Eyelid Procedure?
Since we can use different techniques to fix your aesthetic problems, the details of your eyelid procedure will vary. That said, all of our techniques are very gentle, and you shouldn’t feel nervous on the morning of your appointment. It will usually take us about one to two hours to improve your eyelids.
Beginning Your Procedure
We will use anesthesia to keep you comfortable while we improve your eyelids. Depending on your preferences and needs, you might receive local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. Alternatively, we may give you general anesthesia.
Improving Your Tissues
After the anesthesia has taken effect, we will begin to improve the tissues around your eyes. The location of your incisions will depend on the type of eyelid procedure you are receiving. If you are improving your upper eyelids, we will make small incisions in the creases of your lids. If you are fixing your lower lids, we are likely to make incisions in the inside of your lower eyelids.
We will use your incisions to carefully remove unwanted skin, fat, and other tissues from your body. After we have finished removing these materials, we may close up your incisions with sutures.
Will My Eyelids Take a Long Time To Recover?
Since this is an outpatient procedure, you will have only a brief recovery period. During this time, you will need to adjust your exercise plans, screen-time, and bathing habits. Making these minor changes to your usual routine will protect your eyes and tissues during the healing process.
Protecting Your Eyes
It’s important to take very good care of your eyes during the beginning of your recovery period. We will provide you with an antibiotic medication to administer during your recovery period. You will need to use this medication for one week. In addition, you may need to use artificial teardrops to prevent your eyes from becoming dry.
During the first several days, we may instruct you to apply a cold compress or ice packs onto your face. We may also tell you to elevate your face while you are sleeping. To keep your face in the correct position, you can use pillows to prop up your head. Raising your head during the nighttime will decrease the chance that fluid will accumulate in your tissues.
Cleaning Your Face and Body
You will probably be able to resume taking baths and showers within a few days after your procedure. To protect your safety, you will need to avoid getting your eyes wet while you bathe or shower. You can accomplish this task by moving your showerhead below your face. In addition, you can ask a friend or family member to help you wash your hair in the sink.
After about seven to 10 days, we will probably remove your sutures. At this point, you should be able to start washing the skin around your eyes. You should be very gentle as you clean this area of your face.
Resting Your Eyes and Body
Spending a long time staring at your computer, smartphone, or other screens can cause your eyes to become dry and irritated. To prevent this problem, you should limit your screentime during the first several weeks after your procedure.
For the first two weeks after your procedure, you should not go swimming or running. You will also need to avoid engaging in other types of challenging physical exercise. In addition, we will ask you to avoid bending your body too much or putting your head underneath your heart. These activities can delay the healing process by increasing blood flow to the tissues around your eyes.
Helping Your Skin Heal
It’s normal to develop scabs during the healing process. A scab is a positive sign that indicates that your tissues are healing. Instead of picking at your scabs, you should try to leave them alone. Your scabs will fall off once your tissues have healed.
Using Contacts and Makeup
If you use contacts to correct your vision, you will need to avoid wearing your contacts for about three to four weeks after your procedure. You should also avoid wearing makeup around your eyes for about three weeks. To avoid infection, you should use new makeup products and applicators once you resume using mascara and other types of eye makeup.
Am I a Good Candidate for an Eyelid Procedure?
If you have puffy eyes or droopy upper eyelids, you may be an ideal candidate for an upper lid blepharoplasty Tampa or other eyelid procedure. In general, you are likely to develop these cosmetic problems after you reach the age of 35. In addition to suffering from these aesthetic issues, you will need to meet a couple of other requirements in order to receive this procedure.
Considering Your Health
We will need to thoroughly examine your eyes and review your medical background before you receive your eyelid procedure. If you are suffering from glaucoma or other severe eye problems, you might not be able to receive this procedure. In addition, bleeding issues, diabetes, and other medical problems can prevent you from getting a blepharoplasty.
Thinking About Your Expectations
In addition to being in good health, you will need to understand the cosmetic changes that you are likely to experience. Your eyelid procedure will refresh the skin around your eyes. However, it will not lift your brow or remove all of your facial wrinkles. If you are interested in fixing other cosmetic problems, we may advise you to get a facelift or brow lift in connection with your eyelid procedure.
Improve Your Eyes
It’s normal to develop puffy eyes, bags under your eyes, droopy eyelids, and other problems in this area of your face. We can use an upper lid blepharoplasty Tampa or other cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of your eyelids. If you are interested in fixing these problems, you should contact us at The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL to set up an initial consultation.