Saggy Eyelids – 5 Signs You’re Ready for a Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Lift

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While saggy eyelids might initially appear to be a purely cosmetic issue, if they begin to interfere with your vision or other eye functionality, eyelid lift surgery or Blepharoplasty might indeed become a necessary procedure. Facial cosmetic injections could provide a temporary solution to mild ptosis (droopy eyelids), but they may not suffice in more severe cases or if sagging becomes a functional problem.

In certain circumstances, based on your facial structure and the severity of the drooping, your surgeon might recommend a brow lift or a combined brow lift and eyelid lift surgery to address the issue effectively.

Eyelid lift surgery is not always purely for aesthetic improvement. In fact, it’s quite common for these procedures to be medically necessary. The sagging skin around the eyes can impair your field of vision or interfere with other functionalities of the eye, thus making surgery a necessity rather than a choice.

While cosmetic procedures can be carried out at any age as per the individual’s preference, those who experience functional issues due to sagging skin or eyelid ptosis, causing impairment in vision or blinking functions, could benefit from a medically-required Blepharoplasty.

At Centre for Surgery, our team of expert surgeons specialise in eyelid surgery. Whether your concern is cosmetic or functional, our team has the skills and experience to rejuvenate your appearance, correct functional issues caused by sagging skin, eliminate excess eyelid skin, and even improve the appearance of under-eye bags. Your vision and overall eye health are our primary concern.

Five questions to consider when thinking about getting eyelid surgery

Evaluating the need for a Blepharoplasty procedure often involves a close self-assessment. Here are five questions you can ask yourself if you’re considering this procedure to address ageing eyelids:

Do you feel that your eyelids are making you look older than you actually are, perhaps because of excessive sun exposure or other environmental or genetic factors?
Are you frequently dissatisfied with the tired or aged appearance of your eye area?
Have your once-prominent and beautiful eyelashes started to disappear under sagging eyelid skin?
Do you find yourself frequently raising your brows to improve your vision or see more of your surroundings?
Are you willing to go through a few weeks of recovery time for a procedure that will leave minimal scars, but could make you look fresher and more youthful around your eyes?

If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to the majority of these questions, then it might be the right time to explore your Blepharoplasty Surgery options. We invite you to reach out to us for a consultation at our clinic on Baker Street, London. Our team is highly skilled in a range of facial rejuvenation procedures, including cosmetic injections, eyelid lift procedures (both lower and upper), facelifts, lip lifts, cheek and chin augmentations, and many more. We’re here to help you look as young and vibrant as you feel.

Why are our Eyelids one of the first places to show signs of ageing?

The skin that forms our eyelids is incredibly delicate and thin, far more so than the skin elsewhere on our face or body. This thinness, combined with its near-constant use, makes the eyelids one of the first places where signs of ageing become visible.

As we age, our skin, including that of our eyelids, starts to lose its strength and elasticity due to a decrease in collagen production. The muscles that we use to blink and squint, which we do countless times each day, also weaken over time. These factors contribute to the skin of our eyelids stretching, resulting in excess skin that can droop and cause wrinkles and fine lines.

Moreover, because of their positioning and their thin skin, our eyelids are more exposed to environmental factors such as sunlight, wind, and pollutants. These factors can cause the skin to dry out, further contributing to the ageing process.

In addition to these factors, genetics also play a part. Some people are genetically predisposed to have excess skin on their eyelids or to develop wrinkles at a younger age.

So, given their constant use, vulnerability to environmental exposure, and genetic factors, it’s no wonder our eyelids often show the earliest signs of ageing. This is why it’s so important to give this area special attention in our skincare routines and why procedures like blepharoplasty are sought after for rejuvenating the appearance of ageing eyes.

When should I consider having eyelid surgery?

As we age, our eyelids naturally begin to droop and sag. This change can be gradual, happening over several years, and it’s easy to miss the subtle signs until one day, you look in the mirror and it suddenly appears as though your eyelids have given in to gravity. At times, you might only notice the effect on your vision after the fact when you have already undergone an eyelid lift surgery.

The appearance of your eyelids and eyes can further deteriorate due to factors such as tiredness, dehydration, stress, lack of sufficient sleep, illness or recovering from an intense night out. These conditions can exacerbate the ageing signs, causing your eyelids to look more saggy and tired.

Beyond the aesthetic concerns, the functionality of your upper or lower eyelids can also be compromised. This can lead to issues with normal eye functions such as blinking, tear production, eyelid closing, and even facial expressions. It can be so severe that your eyelashes, instead of pointing outward, become obscured by your drooping lids or start scratching your eyes.

If you find that the look of your eyes is making you appear tired, aged, or stressed, or if you’re experiencing functional issues such as problems with blinking or tearing, it may be time to explore your options for eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty.

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that can help to restore the youthful appearance of your eyelids and resolve functional issues. It’s advisable to seek a consultation with a qualified surgeon who can guide you through the process, help you understand the benefits and risks, and decide whether this procedure is the right option for you.

How long does blepharoplasty take to perform?

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, typically takes around one and a half to two hours to complete. However, the exact duration of the surgery can vary depending on several factors. If the surgeon is operating on both the upper and lower eyelids, or if you are having additional procedures done at the same time, the surgery could take longer.

It’s essential to remember that the total time you spend at our Baker Street clinic will be longer than the surgery itself. Before the operation, time will be spent preparing and administering anaesthesia. After the procedure, you’ll spend some time in a recovery room, where our medical team will closely monitor you as you wake up from the anaesthesia.

How long is recovery from eyelid surgery?

Recovering from eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, generally takes a few weeks, but the duration can vary from person to person based on their individual healing response and the extent of the procedure.

Immediately following the surgery, your eyelids may feel tight and sore, and you may experience some bruising and swelling. This tends to peak around the second day post-surgery. You may also have blurry vision due to ointment applied to your eyes during surgery, or from tearing or swelling.

In the first week or two, the majority of the swelling and bruising should start to subside. To help with this, your doctor will likely recommend you use cold compresses and keep your head elevated as much as possible. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to manage any discomfort, but your surgeon may also prescribe you some pain medication.

Stitches are usually removed within a week after surgery. After this point, you’ll likely feel more comfortable and be able to return to day-to-day activities, though strenuous physical activity should be avoided for at least a few weeks.

Generally, you should be prepared for your final results to take a bit longer to fully reveal themselves. It often takes around 4-6 weeks for the swelling to completely resolve, and for you to fully appreciate the final outcome.

Remember to follow your surgeon’s specific postoperative instructions for optimal recovery, and do not hesitate to reach out to them if you have any concerns during your recovery process.

Choosing the Best Blepharoplasty Surgeon in London

Choosing a surgeon for any procedure, especially one as delicate as an eyelid lift, is a crucial decision. Your face is your most recognisable feature, and if anything goes wrong, it’s not easy to conceal. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure you take the necessary steps when picking a surgeon.

Your procedure should be carried out in the right place. Here at Centre for Surgery, our clinic is state-of-the-art and regulated by the Care Quality Commission. You can only consult our surgeons by appointment, reflecting our commitment to providing personalised and attentive care.

Our surgeons are experts in eyelid surgery and are certified Plastic Surgeons with a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) or its international equivalent. They have vast international experience and training and devote their practice to carrying out precise procedures aimed at achieving natural-looking results.

Eyelid surgery is a complex procedure. Therefore, it’s advisable to trust an experienced surgeon as opposed to someone less experienced. A poorly conducted procedure might result in eyelids that don’t function correctly, such as not closing fully, or unappealing hollows in the eyelids.

Come and discover what sets our surgeons apart from others. We invite you to visit us for a consultation at our clinic on Baker Street in London. You’ll have the opportunity to ask any and all questions you may have about rejuvenating your eyelid area or fixing a functionality issue involving sagging (ptosis) of the lower or upper lids (eyelid surgery).

Contact us today on 0207 993 4849 to arrange a consultation. This will provide you with a better understanding of what’s involved in eyelid reduction or eyelid lift surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty or Lower Blepharoplasty) or corrective surgery for eyelid conditions such as inward (Entropion) or outward (Ectropion) turning of the eyelid. We look forward to helping you feel more confident and comfortable.