HOW DO OUR EYES AND EYELIDS AGE?

Our eyes are our defining facial feature. So much of our facial identity is centered around our eyes, that as the appearance of our eyes change with age, the way we see ourselves can change as well.

Dr. Joseph’s specialty as an oculoplastic surgeon and eyelid specialist enables him to have an extensive understanding of the complex ways in which our eyelids and surrounding areas change as we age. It is through this understanding that Dr Joseph can deliver natural and meaningful results for his patients.

THE SKIN

Fine lines

Normal aging of the skin involves a loss of collagen (the backbone) and elastin (the bounceback) of the skin. This is especially noticeable in the very thin skin of the eyelids. The quality of the skin can be improved in many ways, including at home maintenance as well as in office procedures such as chemical peels or laser resurfacing.

Dynamic wrinkles

Deeper than fine lines, these wrinkles result from the natural movements of your facial muscles.

The 11s: vertical lines that form between the eyebrows
Crow’s feet: lines that form on the outside the eyes
Forehead lines: lines that form from movement of the forehead

Our normal facial movements can, over time, cause creases in your skin. These wrinkles are especially prominent around the eyes. Botox is especially effective for these deeply set lines around the eyes.

Excess skin

Loose or excess skin can form above or below the eyelids causing a heavy, saggy appearance. This loose, extra skin can be removed with an eyelid lift. Dr. Joseph performs this surgery using his experience as an eyelid specialist to improve the appearance of the eyelids while maintaining the natural function of the eyelids and their natural relationships to the surrounding structures.

THE UPPER EYELIDS:

Puffy eyelids

The upper lids can develop puffiness that creates a heavy, tired look to the eyelids. During eyelid lift surgery, Dr. Joseph can remove excess fat to recreate the normal eyelid contours and appearance.

Loss of lid crease

One of the often overlooked features of a youthful upper eyelid is a strong, defined eyelid crease. The crease separates the eyelid platform below from the fuller, thicker eyelid and eyebrow above. During eyelid lift surgery, Dr. Joseph uses specialized techniques to redefine the natural, youthful crease.

THE LOWER EYELIDS:

Eyelid bags (puffy lower eyelids)

Puffy lower eyelids, or under-eye bags are caused by a combination of factors. Our fat inside the lower eyelid starts to move forward. In addition we tend to develop swelling and fluid in the thinning, loosening skin of the lower eyelid. Lastly, the areas around the lower lid tend to become more hollow, which worsens the appearance of the puffiness in the lid. We address these changes with a combination of treatments including treatments to the skin like chemical peels or laser resurfacing, in office procedures such as filler injections (Restylane, Juvederm, Belotero), and, if necessary, a surgical procedure called a lower eyelid blepharoplasty.

Dark circles under the eyes (lower eyelid hollows)

The dark, hollow, shadowed look of the lower eyelids that develops as we age is a very important factor that is too often ignored when considering lower eyelid rejuvenation. In order to return the smooth contour of the lower eyelid and upper cheek, this hollowing has to be addressed. We address these changes with a combination of treatments including in office procedures such as filler injections (Restylane, Juvederm, Belotero), and sometimes surgery, called a lower eyelid blepharoplasty. If hollowing is an issue, during blepharoplasty, Dr. Joseph utilizes your own fat removed from the baggy area of the eyelid to fill these hollows. This is a process called fat transposition and is one of the specialized techniques Dr. Joseph utilizes in customizing eyelid surgery for his patients.

WHAT IS MY NEXT STEP?

If you have noticed any of these changes around your eyes, and your eyes look and feel more heavy, tired, or baggy than you would like, a consultation with Dr. Joseph in his Newport Beach office is your next step.

Click here to contact Dr. Joseph’s Orange County office and schedule your consultation.