Health & Fitness

What type of cosmetic treatments are best for treating puffy eyes, extra eyelid skin?

As you age, your eyes can appear more puffy. Here are some cosmetic treatments that may help.
As you age, your eyes can appear more puffy. Here are some cosmetic treatments that may help. KRT

Q. I’m concerned that I’m looking older, and my eyes appear puffy with extra skin over my upper lids. I have consulted with two surgeons who have given me different recommendations. One suggests I should have my lower lids done along with a brow lift, while the other recommends an upper lid blepharoplasty and lower lids but no brow lift. What is your recommendation?

A. When deciding between upper and lower blepharoplasty versus a forehead lift, the key factor is determining the root cause of your concern.

If the primary issue is excess skin in the upper lids and puffiness in the lower lids, then upper and lower blepharoplasty would be the most effective solution. This procedure removes excess skin and fat, creating a more refreshed, open appearance without altering the position of the eyebrows.

If the heaviness around the eyes is due to brow descent, where the eyebrows have lowered over time and caused the upper eyelids to appear hooded, a forehead lift can help reposition the brows to a more youthful height.

However, since you have concerns about a high hairline, this procedure would need to be carefully planned. A traditional endoscopic forehead lift could elevate the hairline, while a modified approach, such as a hairline-lowering or trichophytic brow lift, may help prevent that issue.

If the primary concern is excess eyelid skin, blepharoplasty alone may be sufficient. If the brows have descended significantly, a forehead lift may be beneficial, but techniques that preserve the hairline can be explored.

Dr. Carlos Wolf
Dr. Carlos Wolf

Dr. Carlos Wolf is a partner in Miami Plastic Surgery and is board certified. Email questions to him at Cwolf@miamiplasticsurgery.com

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