September usually marks the end of summer break, return to school, and resumption of office work, but this year is most definitely not business as usual for any of us in New York City. As everyone dons a mask in public, attention naturally falls upon our eyes, the only visible parts of our faces. Moreover, the negative effects of the pandemic, including stress and sleeplessness (dubbed “pansomnia”), result in tired looking eyes. Rest assured, if you’ve noticed your eyes have changed for the worse, you are not the only one suffering from these issues, and thankfully there are numerous ways to help you look better.
Plastic surgeons have numerous options to rejuvenate and improve the appearance of the eye area. Here are but a few common patient concerns and possible treatments and procedures to address them:
- droopy, “hooded” upper eyelids:
- caused by excess skin, muscle and fat in the upper lid
- an upper eyelid lift or blepharoplasty is the most effective treatment to improve eyelid contour, restore a more alert appearance, and produce permanent results
- undereye bags in lower eyelids:
- due to loose skin, protruding fat, and possible lax tone of the lower eyelids
- multiple possible treatments to address each of these problems:
- skin resurfacing or skin rejuvenation with microneedling to improve crepey skin
- fat injections or fillers to correct tear trough deformity
- lower eyelid lift or blepharoplasty to remove excess skin and fat, producing a smooth, more youthful eyelid
- crows feet:
- wrinkles in the corners of the eyelids produced by muscle contraction when smiling or squinting
- smoothed out with Botox injections, fillers for deep wrinkles, and microneedling with platelet rich plasma (PRP) for skin rejuvenation
- low eyebrows:
- gradual descent of the brow with age produces tired, aged facial appearance
- mild, temporary correction possible with Botox injections; more significant and long lasting eyebrow repositioning achieved with brow lift surgery
In addition, patients are best served when they establish an at-home skincare routine to help them maintain the results they obtain from their plastic surgeon’s treatments. Prescription creams such as Retin-A, cosmetic beauty creams containing Vitamin C or mild acids, as well as sun avoidance and the judicious use of sun protection all help with improving skin tone and overall appearance of the eyes.
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is a board certified female plastic surgeon in NYC with advanced specialized training in aesthetic plastic surgery. Her private practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side is dedicated to cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body using the most advanced techniques and shortest scars to produce natural results and the quickest recovery. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hutchinson, please contact us or call us at (212) 452-1400.
