If you feel like your eyes always look tired, or you are bothered by extra folds of skin on your upper eyelids, cosmetic eyelid surgery, known as blepharoplasty, may be able to help.  Blepharoplasty can be done on the upper eyelids or the lower eyelids, or both upper and lower eyelids.   On the upper eyelids, if you have excess folds of skin and excess bulges of fat, these can be removed to a significant degree.  Some people find that their upper eyelid skin is so droopy that they cannot put on their eye makeup.  In the extreme, the excess skin of the upper eyelid can even interfere with vision.  On the lower eyelids,  puffy bags under the eyelids can give you a tired, worn out demeanor.  Lower eyelid blepharoplasty can treat that.  Added touches such as lasers to smooth skin, Botox or other injectables can complement the results.

Our physicians, Dr. Mitchel Kanter and Dr. William Kanter are co-authors of a text book on of cosmetic eyelid surgery titled Aesthetic Blepharoplasty, shown on the right.  Our doctors specialize in this type of surgery and have years of experience.  Please call us at 410-715-9205 or click here to request a personal consultation and learn more!

	Your eyelids say a lot about you. Your feelings, your mood, whether you look rested, fatigued, aged or even heavy can be conveyed by your eyelids. In their 30’s, many people begin to show lines and wrinkles of the eyelid skin. Excess fatty tissue which causes bags under the eyes, can give a tired or dissipated look and can contribute to the look of dark circles under the eyes. Unlike some fat, this fat is not responsive to diet and is more hereditary. It is not unusual for us to hear, “I’m tired of being told I look tired when I’m not.” On the upper eyelids, excess skin as well as some excess fat can give a crowded, heavy or puffy look. These changes are addressed with cosmetic eyelid surgery called Blepharoplasty.  Depending on the person’s need, Blepharoplasty can be done on upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both upper and lower eyelids
	Incisions for the upper eyelids are designed to fall into the upper eyelid crease as much as possible, and then gently curve into the natural skin lines to the side. Excess skin is removed. Not every last fold of excess skin can be removed since it is important to maintain enough skin to allow for proper eyelid closure and position. Incisions for the lower eyelids are placed just underneath the eyelash margin parallel to natural skin lines or on the inside of the eyelids. (see below)
	This drawing shows where fatty deposits are found beneath the eyelid skin. These are delicately and carefully sculpted to reduce the excess while leaving enough tissue to try to maintain a natural look. We are very careful to use techniques designed to avoid bleeding and limit bruising as much as possible
	After eyelid surgery, the upper lids typically look less heavy.  One can see the eyelid itself again above the eyelashes, rather than seeing just a heavy fold of skin sitting on the lashes. There is a place to put one’s eyeshadow again. The lower eyelids look less tired. When wrinkles and skin texture are also an issue, lasers resurfacing and peeling procedures may be combined with Blepharoplasty to reduce lines, wrinkles and age spots
	One of the newer approach to the lower eyelids is to remove fatty tissue from inside the eyelid, therefore avoiding a visible scar on the lower eyelid. A laser can be used in combination to smooth the skin somewhat.
	At Plastic Surgery Professionals, our doctors are co-authors of a major textbook on Blepharoplasty (the medical name for cosmetic eyelid surgery), an operation that we specialize in. Please call us at 410-715-9205 or click here to request a personal consultation and learn more!