[Diva Plastic Surgery] Lower Blepharoplasty: Method Varies by Degree of Aging

Hello, this is Diva Plastic Surgery.

When skin aging truly begins, various changes appear.

Among these, a prominent change is in the under-eye area.

The skin under the eyes is particularly delicate compared to other areas,

which means signs of aging appear more quickly there.

Since the eyes play a crucial role in determining one's overall impression, they can make one look older,

thus requiring proper improvement.

If the fat under the eyes is excessively bulging and sagging,

if dark circles, not previously visible, have become prominent,

or if deep wrinkles under the eyes are a concern, lower blepharoplasty can help

to improve the eye area, making it brighter and more vibrant.

What are the side effects of lower blepharoplasty, and how can they be prevented to ensure a safe surgery?

Director Kim Jong-myung of Diva Plastic Surgery explained this through a press report!

▲ Representative Director Kim Jong-myung

Smooth and appropriately voluminous under-eyes give a bright and youthful impression. The eyes attract a lot of attention from others and play a crucial role in forming one's overall impression. However, the skin around the eyes is thinner and moves more than other areas, leading to faster aging.

Specifically, the skin under the eyes becomes thinner with aging and rapidly loses elasticity. Additionally, the orbital septum, the membrane that encloses and supports the fat tissue under the eyes, loosens with age. As a result, under-eye fat pockets sag and protrude, forming deep tear troughs and wrinkles.

The bulging fat makes the under-eye area appear saggy and creates shadows, which can cause dark circles. Wrinkles and dark circles caused by sagging lower eyelids play a decisive role in making one look older, leading more people in their middle age to seek the help of lower blepharoplasty, a popular eye surgery for a youthful appearance. While under-eye fat typically develops due to aging, some younger individuals in their 20s and 30s may also have sagging due to a naturally large amount of under-eye fat.

Lower blepharoplasty is a procedure that removes and repositions bulging fat pockets to flatten and improve the under-eye area. After considering the condition of the sagging skin and the shape of the fat to determine the amount of skin to be removed, an appropriate amount of protruding under-eye fat is removed. Then, the sagging muscles and skin are pulled up and repositioned, fixed to the fascia to brighten the under-eye area. Not only the skin but also the muscles are pulled upwards, allowing a vibrant and youthful impression to be maintained for a long time. Lower blepharoplasty, performed under local or sedation anesthesia, involves a minimal incision near the lower eyelashes, thereby minimizing post-operative scarring.

However, excessive muscle resection or medial extension of the incision line during lower blepharoplasty increases the risk of nerve damage and the possibility of ectropion. Therefore, lateral canthopexy, which fixes the sagging skin and muscles to the periosteum on the outer side of the eye, can be combined. Lateral canthopexy firmly fixes the lower eyelid muscles or lateral canthal tendon to the periosteum, helping to improve wrinkles or under-eye sagging that are difficult to correct with lower blepharoplasty alone.

Director Kim Jong-myung (Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon) of Gangnam Diva Plastic Surgery stated, ‘Lower blepharoplasty, which corrects the under-eye area to make it look younger and brighter, varies in surgical method depending on under-eye fat sagging, wrinkles, skin laxity, and age.’ He added, ‘It is crucial to have a thorough consultation with a plastic surgeon and apply a customized surgical method, considering the degree of aging and skin condition.’

He continued, ‘While complex procedures can be applied for more active improvement depending on the symptoms, excessive correction can look awkward and unnatural, so caution is advised.’ He explained, ‘For a relatively quick scar recovery period and natural improvement, it is necessary to assess the current condition and perform appropriate customized surgery.’

Original article: https://daily.hankooki.com/lpage/life/202104/dh20210401121211138950.htm?s_ref=nv