Defy Aging

Eyelid Rejuvenation

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles and Pasadena, CA

Eyelid rejuvenation (blepharoplasty) is a surgical treatment that reverses signs of aging, creating younger, more appealing looking eyes. With the right eyelid surgery, you can reveal your most intriguing facial

features that draw in people’s attention and convey your most personal expressions. Unfortunately, hereditary factors and age can greatly impact the appearance of our eyes and brows, causing them to reflect emotions we may not necessarily feel. Luckily, surgeons can utilize minimally invasive techniques to create the exact contours of your liking without noticeable scarring interfering with your results. Surgeries for the upper portion of the face are designed to resolve excess hooded tissue over the eyes, puffy eyebags that contribute to a tired or angry appearance, and low, furrowed brow positioning.

With the expertise of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mossi Salibian, you can attain high-quality results that harmonize gracefully with your other facial features. Dr. Salibian will work with you to comprehensively understand your specific goals for cosmetic eyelid surgery, and perform any adjunct procedures to complement your results. Part of your attentive consultation will include a discussion about preparation, recovery, and individual procedure steps to ensure that you feel confident going forward with your decision. 

To get started with a thorough eyelid rejuvenation consultation, get in touch with Dr. Salibian at (310) 550-0750 or inquire for more information using his contact form. His practice serves the residents of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, surrounding Los Angeles areas, and beyond.

Before and After Photos

Contents

About Blepharoplasty 

Blepharoplasty is most appropriate for patients who have developed skin sagging and puffiness due to genetics, age, sun damage, lifestyle issues and other factors that affect the skin’s integrity and appearance. Over time, the skin becomes less capable of producing high-quality collagen and elastin, two fibers essential for structure and rigidity. As a result of this change in skin composition, small fat pads around the eyes can protrude and migrate downward, contributing to a more aged look. For example, it can cause permanent eye bags. It can also cause a similar effect in the upper eyelids, as the lax skin hangs over the upper eyelashes. With excessive upper eyelid hooding, it can also result in a functional problem as it can block the peripheral visual fields. There are three options available:

  • Upper Eyelid Lift
  • Lower Eyelid Lift
  • Quad Eyelid Lift

Modern Eyelid Surgery

Efforts to make improvements to this critical aspect of the face began in the 1950s with the research of Dr. Salvador Castañares. This renowned surgeon detailed intricate anatomy- including the various tiny fat deposits around the eye- to provide a basis for future surgeons to perform blepharoplasty with greater precision and safety in mind. With his groundwork, Dr. Castañares found cosmetic solutions for several types of eyelid abnormalities, including blepharochalasis (upper eyelid swelling) and dermatochalasis (redundant eyelid skin). (1)

Dr. Salibian can perform blepharoplasty catered to suit each patient’s unique skin elasticity, eyelid contour and shape, fatty deposits, tone, and skin texture to ensure outstanding results that meet specific desires and harmonize with each person’s unique facial features. Sometimes, patients send in photos of their eyes for evaluation. While seeing photos beforehand can be helpful for Dr. Salibian, a thorough in-person consultation, and physical examination is an absolute must.

 

Personal Consultation

During your consultation with Dr. Salibian, he will listen compassionately to your concerns over the appearance of your eyes and ask you relevant questions about your medical history. Eyelid rejuvenation may not be suitable for you if you have active thyroid disease, uncontrolled blood pressure, poorly regulated diabetes, or a blood clotting disorder. (2) Aside from providing an overall health evaluation, he will determine the severity of the aging concerns present together with your aesthetic expectations. He will discuss his recommendations for eyelid rejuvenation in detail, including the preparation and recovery steps needed to heal comfortably and safely. You will also have ample time to ask him any other questions. To get started today, call his Los Angeles office at (310) 550-0750 or use his contact form to find out more about your options for this transformative anti-aging procedure.

 

Upper Blepharoplasty
(Upper Eyelid)

Loss of upper eyelid elasticity and tone tends to be the first sign of facial aging. Droopy eyelids can portray a tired and saddened appearance, often obscuring the underlying shape and beauty of the eyes as well as those of the eyelids. To restore the beautiful shape and contour of the upper eyelid, Dr. Salibian will remove the overhanging skin, ensuring that he places the incision along the exact shadow of the natural upper eyelid crease. The length of this incision varies depending on the amount of excess lateral skin (skin on the outer sides of each eye). The eyelid skin heals very well, and the scar will fade in a short amount of time. Via this upper eyelid incision, the excess fat deposits behind the upper eyelid muscle can also be gingerly and judiciously removed to enhance the upper eyelid contour, natural appearance and shape.

Upper eyelid lifts are not just intended to help patients feel more confident as a cosmetic improvement of facial appearance and expression, these procedures are life-changing for those who have a limited field of vision and struggle to see properly when driving or reading. In some cases, these patients may have recurrent headaches since they use their frontalis (forehead) muscle to involuntarily and constantly lift the lax skin over the upper eyelids. (3)

Before and After Photos

Adjuncts to Upper Blepharoplasty

Dr. Salibian can enhance surgical re-contouring of the upper eyelids using a COlaser or an erbium laser. This further improves the skin tone along the highest portion of the upper eyelid/ eyebrow junction and minimizes crow’s feet or fine lines and wrinkles around the eyelids. He can also address the eyebrows with the strategic use of Botox to reshape the lateral areas of the brows (outer corners of the brow), creating a better arch and height for the brows. If the skin laxity is not significant to warrant a surgical upper blepharoplasty, COlaser alone can address the minimal laxity and fine crepiness of the upper eyelid skin and result in a smoother and toned appearance to the upper eyelid contour.

Lower Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelid)

If the lower eyelids have excess skin and fatty deposits or “bags”, Dr. Salibian can make an undetectable incision at the lower eyelash line. From this opening, he will remove fatty deposits without damaging the lower eyelid muscle and intricate supporting membranes. He will take care not to over-resect the delicate lower eyelid fat, which can result in a “hollowed-out” look. In patients with “scleral show” (downturned lower eyelids that show the whites of the eyes) and those with poor lower eyelid muscle tone, he can use a suspension technique called a canthopexy to support the lower eyelid in its functional role and improve the overall shape of the eyes. If the lower eyelid skin excess is minimal, then the incisions are hidden inside of the lower eyelid such that there is no visible incision to heal. This technique is called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty and is very effective in removing excess lower eyelid “bags” and dramatically improving the lower eyelid contour.

Before and After Photos

Adjuncts to Lower Blepharoplasty

Adjuncts to lower eyelid rejuvenation include fat grafting to the nasojugal groove (the inner depression where the lower inner eyelid, nose, and cheek meet) and/or injection of Restylane or Juvederm some examples of hyaluronic acid based fillers to smooth out the transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek junction.Dr. Salibian can also perform a mid-face vertical lift to further smooth out lower eyelid hollows or transfer fat from another area of the body using liposuction techniques. Fat transfer can reduce the hollowness of the lower eyelids and improve the overall cheek projection. Treatment with a COlaser or Erbium laser may also be appropriate for treating fine lines and mild laxity in the lower eyelid and upper cheek regions.

Quad Blepharoplasty

Quad blepharoplasty addresses both the upper and lower eyelids during the same surgery. It is a popular choice for patients who want to rejuvenate both areas while undergoing one recovery period. In addition, this method tends to be more cost-effective than separate surgeries. The type of blepharoplasty performed depends on eyelid anatomy, the degree of skin laxity along the upper and lower eyelid margin, ethnicity and skin type, the shape of the eyelid, and the amount of forward-protruding fat. The incisions are designed to disappear and not change the actual eye shape but instead result in a youthful and attractive look.

Before and After Photos

If the lower eyelid skin is not redundant or is expected to regain elasticity after surgery, Dr. Salibian can perform a transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty– a method that keeps the incision hidden behind the lower eyelid skin. He may perform a lateral canthopexy if the lower eyelid margin has weakened with age or appears pulled down and the patient has “scleral show”. A lateral canthopexy helps support the lower eyelid margin and corrects that rounded eye look. It is a procedure that is commonly used for revision lower eyelid surgeries where the initial procedure had caused the rounded eye appearance due to excessive removal of lower eyelid skin and / or the needed canthopexy was not performed at the same time as the lower blepharoplasty. If there is redundant lower eyelid skin, then Dr. Salibian will keep the lower eyelid incision just below the lower eyelash line to best camouflage the incision and render it invisible. The lower eyelid skin is our thinnest visible skin on our face and body and it is a delicate tissue that heals quickly without visible scarring.

Various laser skin resurfacing treatments such as the CO2 laser help tighten the crepey skin of the lower and upper eyelid and can be used as an alternative to surgery if the laxity does not warrant a surgical treatment.

Corresponding Procedures

Brow Lift

brow lift procedure is designed to smooth brow furrows and laxity in the forehead while raising the brows to facilitate a more elevated, youthful appearance. Dr. Salibian suspends the subcutaneous connective tissue using incisions hidden within the scalp or at the hairline, depending on the contour of the forehead and the hairline location itself. Though a brow lift focuses on highlighting the aesthetics of the brows and improving forehead contour, it can also help lift redundant skin of the upper eyelid and significantly improve the orbital aesthetics.

Cost of Eyelid Rejuvenation in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles

The cost of your eyelid rejuvenation will depend on the specifics of your procedure, anesthesia and facility costs. It can range anywhere from $5000 to $15000 dollars depending on how involved the surgery is and how many procedures are performed at the same time. Dr. Salibian will be transparent with you and give you a total cost estimate during your consultation.

To learn more about the rejuvenating results you can achieve with Dr. Salibian’s expertise, call his office at (310) 550-0750 or fill out his form online, and we will get back to you within 24 hours. 

FAQ

How long do eyelid lift results last? 

The results of eyelid surgery can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years and for some, a lifetime, depending on several factors. 

How long does an eyelid lift procedure take to complete?

An upper eyelid lift will take about 1 hour, and approximately double the time if both an upper and lower eyelid lift is performed at the same time. 

What is the downtime required after an eyelid lift?

The downtime will greatly depend on the extent of the procedure. Many patients will need 4 to 10 days of downtime, whereas others will require up to 14 days.

When can you resume working out after an eyelid lift? 

Not before 2 weeks after surgery and as advised by Dr. Salibian during your post operative office visits. Everyone heals at their own pace but strenuous activity is not recommended for at least the first month of recovery after eyelid and eyebrow surgery. 

What type of anesthesia is required for an eyelid lift?

For most patients, blepharoplasty is performed using just local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, so patients can avoid experiencing the effects of general anesthesia. For some patients with skin laxity of the upper eyelid alone without underlying fat deposits, can have the procedure with local anesthesia alone. In general however, it is more comfortable to have eyelid and eyebrow surgery with intravenous sedation under the care of the anesthesiologist to best monitor your level of consciousness and pain. Deeper anesthesia is rarely used with periorbital rejuvenation procedures. 

Can an eyelid lift correct my vision if I have droopy eyelids?

In cases where sagging eyelids obstruct the peripheral visual field, upper blepharoplasty will help improve your peripheral vision by removing the excess hanging upper eyelid skin.

When can I wear eye makeup and eyeliner after an eyelid lift?

You should avoid applying makeup to the eyelid area until fully healed and most of the swelling has fully subsided. Generally, patients can safely apply makeup two weeks post-surgery.

References

  1. Espinoza GM, Holds JB. Evolution of Eyelid Surgery. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2005;13(4):505-510. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2005.09.001
  2. Rebowe RE, Runyan C. Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482381/ 
  3. Patel BC, Malhotra R. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537078/ 
  4. Turer DM, Kenkel JM, Fagien S. Lower Lid Blepharoplasty With Lateral Retinacular and Orbicularis Suspension. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. 2022;4. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojab057
*Results May Vary