Blepharoplasty Breakdown: Why Do People Get Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery?

Updated on May 19, 2020

Blepharoplasty, more commonly referred to as cosmetic eyelid surgery, has become an incredibly popular cosmetic surgery option in the last decade. More and more people have been going under the knife to rejuvenate their eyelids, especially those who are aged 40 and above. In certain cases, eyelid surgery is needed to correct vision and remove certain eyelid cancers that can develop in certain individuals. In today’s article, we look at some of the reasons why people get cosmetic eyelid surgery to improve their appearance. Read on to find out more.

Correct Droopy Eyelids

As a person ages, so does their skin. This can sometimes cause the appearance of droopy or bulging eyelids. One’s eyebrows may also sag during the ageing process, making blepharoplasty an incredibly popular option for middle-aged individuals. Cosmetic eyelid surgery can lift droopy eyelids and eyebrows, thus completely rejuvenating a person’s face by giving an overall more youthful appearance to the face. 

Functional VS Cosmetic Blepharoplasty

Whilst most blepharoplasty procedures are performed solely based on cosmetic improvement needs, every so often an individual may need to undergo functional eyelid surgery for medical reasons. In most cases, functional eye lifts are performed to remove loose skin from the upper eyelid if it droops enough to affect one’s vision and eyesight. 

Issues such as the inability to wear glasses or contacts properly due to baggy upper or lower eyelids also call for functional blepharoplasty. An eyelift can truly transform not just one’s appearance but also their quality of life by removing the visual obstacle that stands in their way.  Eyelid surgery also alleviates issues such as dry eye syndrome and eyelid cysts which cause visual impairment or discomfort. 

Firming and Tightening of Inelastic Skin

Did you know that skin gets less and less elastic as we age? The loss of collagen and elastin with age can cause the skin to hang loosely and appear more transparent. The thin membrane that holds the fat in place in our eyelids weakens with age, letting the fat come forward into the lids. This can cause the eyes to look puffy, aged, tired and wrinkled. With the help of cosmetic eyelid surgery, one can get their skin and lax muscles tightened and firmed, creating a more youthful appearance almost instantly. 

Removal of Fat Pockets

For those who have excess fat pockets under the eyes (also referred to as eye bags), blepharoplasty is a quick and easy way to trim sagging skin, muscle and excess fat. The surgeon cuts along the creases of eyelids and removes excess fat that may give your face a puffy appearance. The skin is then rejoined with tiny stitches, and once healed, there will be a significant change in the number of fat deposits under your eyes, giving a more fresh and bright appearance to the face. This can also greatly reduce the appearance of dark circles around the eyes that often make a person look tired or weary. 

Eyelid Cancer Removal

Lastly, eyelid cancer removal is another functional reason that one would get blepharoplasty. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of eyelid cancer and usually appears in the lower eyelid. This is cancer that usually affects those with lighter skin and may appear as a bump or lump on the eyelids. Safely removing skin cancers, especially around the eyelids, is a challenging procedure and can even require surgical reconstruction of the eyelid. Fortunately, most eyelid cancers can be cured with surgery with little to no chance of spread or recurrence thereafter. 

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Blepharoplasty is a versatile surgery that can serve various purposes, from aesthetic needs to functional ones. We hope that this article has given you some insight into some of the reasons people get cosmetic eyelid surgery. 

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.