Did you know that the periorbita is the most attractive feature of a person’s face?
Of all the tricks I have as a plastic surgeon, working around the periorbital area — also known as the eyes — is the most powerful way to rejuvenate and embellish a face. No matter how much I can repair hanging neck bands or pull jowls up, if the eyes look sad and tired, then the facial rejuvenation will never be optimal. The eyes are what we look at the most when speaking to someone. From simple non-surgical treatments to eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), I offer a range of options in Toronto to refresh this important area.
The eye region comprises many sub-regions. When I approach the periorbita, I look at the lower and upper lids, the upper cheeks, the temples, the forehead, the crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes, the fat pads, and the eyelashes. Yes, the eyelashes.
Upper Lids
The eye globe is surrounded by fat pads that act as cushions. Over time, those fat pads herniate and make the eyes appear puffy. The upper lids can be rejuvenated by removing the 2 fat pads and also the excess of skin. It is common to remove 10 to 13 millimeters of skin from each upper lid! The incision is ingeniously hidden in the patient’s own lid crease. That crease varies between men and women, and it is important to appreciate that the upper lid crease is higher in women so as not to feminize a man’s eyelid shape. Upper lid surgery is 1 of my 2 most common procedures for men in Toronto, so I take great care when drawing my surgical plans.
Lower Lids
The lower lids are approached a bit differently. In my practice, if the issue is purely fine wrinkles, I will suggest BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport® for the crow’s feet and laser skin resurfacing with the Sciton® erbium system of the lower lids. Laser treatments are a safe way to address fine wrinkles of the lower lids while avoiding surgery. If fat pads are present, then a lower lid surgery might be indicated.
In a lower blepharoplasty, the incision is located in a crease just below the eyelashes. The skin is elevated, the fat pads are reduced, the lower lids are often suspended, and the skin excised, tailored, redraped, and lifted. I also commonly release the small ligaments responsible for the tear troughs. Often, I also redrape the fat pads over the bone area where the tear troughs are present to minimize the amount of fillers required later on. Think of this as recycling your lower fat pads for a good cause!
Tear Troughs
In some cases, the tear troughs are deep and convey tiredness and sadness — or age! — so I am sure to address this component, as well. Tear troughs can also be improved with JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® dermal fillers. Fat grafting is another option.
Temples & Upper Rim
I also commonly inject the temples, a region often seen with atrophy (depletion) over time. Fillers can also be added to the upper orbital rim. With aging, this area becomes bony and skeletal, and adding fillers there provides a nice rejuvenation. It also removes the common “A” or “roof” deformity seen in the inner part of the upper orbital rim. This technique is not for your beginner injector. The cannula technique is great tool I have as plastic surgeon to maximize results and safety during this delicate procedure.
Forehead & Brows
Let’s also not forget the forehead and brows. Yes, brows do sag over time, and this is usually in the outer portion. This also contributes to droopy upper lids. It is important to properly assess a patient’s upper face when addressing upper lid sagginess; some patients benefit more from an upper blepharoplasty, some more from a brow lift, and some from both procedures. Let’s also not forget about the “brow lift” one can obtain with BOTOX.
Eyelashes
Finally, yes, the eyelashes. Who does not find long, thick, and numerous eyelashes sexy? Even men look better with thicker eyelashes! With the arrival of LATISSE®, everyone now can have beautiful eyelashes!
If your eye area is making you look tired, sad, or aged and you think one or more of these treatments may benefit you, I invite you to contact my office for a consultation.
