Common Blepharoplasty Myths

If you are considering blepharoplasty to restore an energetic and youthful appearance to your eyes, you have likely begun to research the procedure. Perhaps one of the first things you did was search Google. Unfortunately, not everything we read on the Internet should be trusted. There are countless myths and misconceptions about blepharoplasty, many of which come up during some of Dr. Ali Ghafouri’s initial consultations with patients. He dispels the most common ones in this blog post.

There is only one type of blepharoplasty.

There are actually two forms of blepharoplasty: upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty. Upper blepharoplasty removes loose, excess skin and fat on the upper eyelids while lower blepharoplasty corrects puffiness, wrinkles and lines under the lower eyelids. Not every blepharoplasty procedure includes both upper eyelid and lower eyelid components. Ultimately, whether you need upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty or both will depend on your aesthetic needs and goals, which Dr. Ghafouri can discuss with you during a private consultation.

Blepharoplasty stops the aging process.

No plastic surgery procedure can stop the aging process altogether. However, facial rejuvenation procedures like blepharoplasty can turn back the clock on aging by softening the appearance of wrinkles and lines on the lower eyelids, as well as removing and repositioning lax skin and tissue on the upper eyelids.

Following blepharoplasty, you will continue to age as normal. You can prolong your rejuvenated eye appearance by practicing good lifestyle habits (e.g., not smoking, getting enough sleep, using medical-grade skin care products) and scheduling non-surgical rejuvenation treatments like laser skin resurfacing, IPL, and micro-needling with PRP. A good anti-aging maintenance program as devised by Dr. Ghafouri and his aesthetician is imperative following the surgery.

Blepharoplasty is solely a cosmetic procedure.

While it’s true that many patients pursue blepharoplasty for cosmetic purposes, others do so to address functional problems. Over time, the eyelid skin can stretch and sag so much that it droops over the upper lash line, impairing vision. Not only does this make everyday activities like reading difficult, but it can make driving dangerous, increasing the risk of automobile accidents. Blepharoplasty removes excess, stretched out skin and lifts the lax muscle tissue for a clearer line of sight.

Blepharoplasty will result in a surprised or “frozen” look.

A surprised or frozen expression is only a result of a blepharoplasty procedure gone wrong. Oculoplastic surgeons like Dr. Ghafouri have an in-depth understanding of the facial anatomy and know how to make subtle modifications to the eyelids, avoiding over-correction and ensuring remarkable yet natural-looking results.

Male and female patients require the same approach for blepharoplasty.

The truth is, male and female patients require different surgical approaches to achieve the best blepharoplasty results. Experienced surgeons understand the anatomical differences between men and women and tailor their approach to make enhancements while preserving key masculine or feminine features.

In addition, most male patients desire more subtle correction than female patients. For this reason, male blepharoplasty is typically performed using a conservative approach. Dr. Ghafouri is meticulous when performing on male patients, removing a limited amount of fat, tissue and skin from the eyelids to avoid over-correction that could result in a feminine appearance.

Scarring is noticeable.

Scarring from upper and lower blepharoplasty is rarely noticeable. The incisions for upper blepharoplasty are typically created on the natural creases of the lid, allowing scarring to blend in with the skin folds. Incisions for lower blepharoplasty are created inside the lower lid or just below the lower lash line to conceal any visible scarring. As long as you follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions, your scars should heal nicely up to the point where they are virtually undetectable.

Blepharoplasty always removes dark circles under the eyes.

Blepharoplasty may remove some dark circles under the eyes, depending on their cause. Displaced fat that accumulates under the lower eyelids can sometimes create the appearance of shadows that look like dark circles. Lower blepharoplasty can improve the appearance of these dark circles by repositioning the displaced fat.

When it comes to treating dark under-eye circles caused by vascular problems, allergies or other factors, blepharoplasty may not be as effective. Depending on the cause, Dr. Ghafouri may recommend another treatment, like IPL, micro-needling with PRP, chemical peel and other laser assisted modalities. In fact, many patients choose to combine blepharoplasty with laser skin procedures to treat an array of concerns with the eyelids, including puffy, dark under-eye circles.

Blepharoplasty treats upper eyelid / eyebrow hooding.

Many prospective blepharoplasty patients complain of a hooded eye appearance, which is caused by excess eyebrow skin and tissue that sit on the upper eyelids. Unfortunately, this cannot be treated by blepharoplasty alone. Another procedure, called brow lift, can effectively lift excess tissue from the brow to a higher and more natural position eliminating the upper eyelid hooding. Blepharoplasty and brow lift are commonly performed together to produce more comprehensive results.

To learn more about blepharoplasty, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ghafouri. Please contact Arizona Oculoplastic Specialists at our Scottsdale office today.