With the massive changes in how we have been living these past couple of years, many people have learned something important about their appearance. That is that the eyes matter. We’ve always known this to some degree but, once we had to cover the lower face with a mask much of the time, we realized we really can’t rely on our smile to make us look youthful and friendly. The eyes make the face, in many ways, because they exhibit emotion. They do this even when we may not intend to just in their shape. As we age, the eyes may look sad or angry due to changes in the skin and superficial tissue. Hooded eyes, created by loose upper eyelid tissue, is a prevalent problem. It is not uncommon for a person to feel concerned about the appearance of their eyes as they age. It is also not uncommon to seek treatment. The question patients often have is which approach is right for their eyes. The two most common are BOTOX and blepharoplasty. We’ll do a quick comparison of them here.
BOTOX® and Eyelid Surgery: How They Stack Up
Both BOTOX and blepharoplasty are performed to correct the signs of aging around the eyes. They can reduce crow’s feet and make the eyes appear more open and youthful by targeting the skin on the upper eyelids. Both are proven and popular. This is where their similarities end.
Blepharoplasty
Because blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure, patients often think they prefer to explore other options. We understand and accommodate them the best we can. That said, when patients learn that blepharoplasty is so minimally invasive that it can be done in the office with local anesthesia and a mild sedative, they sometimes rethink their position. Upper blepharoplasty may take an hour or two. During the procedure, the doctor makes a small incision in the crease of each upper eyelid. Through the incision, Dr. Altamira repositions and trims excess tissue, eliminating the hooded effect. Because the incision is in the crease, the resulting scar is not visible. Patients need a week or two for swelling and bruising to resolve. The results of blepharoplasty can last 15 years, after which the signs of aging gradually recur. Usually, the procedure does not need to be repeated.
BOTOX
People love BOTOX because it is a simple injectable treatment with few side effects and zero downtime. This treatment can improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, but it does so without direct contact with this tissue. BOTOX is a neuromodulator. It works on the muscles beneath the skin. When the product is absorbed into muscle tissue, the muscle cannot contract and pull on the skin. For improvement to the upper eyelids, the doctor administers BOTOX injections around the eyebrows. This releases the eyebrows to sit higher above the eyes. A higher brow line then releases the downward push on the eyelids. While there is no downtime, patients must weigh the longevity of BOTOX against that of blepharoplasty, as well. Here, results last three to six months before retreatment is necessary.
Aging is inevitable, but we have many ways to maintain a radiant appearance over time. To learn more about BOTOX, blepharoplasty, or our other rejuvenating procedures, contact us at 713.271.9000 and schedule a visit to our Houston or Sugar Land office.