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Is Blepharoplasty the Only Solution for my Eye Bags?

Are Fractional CO2 laser treatments effective for under eye bags? Do fillers work better or is surgery really the only option?

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21 Doctor Answers | Asked by eyes2010 in ny

Doctor Answers (21)
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Lower eyelid bags

Surgery is never the only option. We typically see blepharoplasty as the gold standard to compare against. Although these options may help your eyelids temporarily - which is to say, yes, they will help smooth things out a bit - I believe that you are really looking for the results that a blepharoplasty can deliver. You have a fairly significant group of aging stigma. The surgery will give you your best option but the alternatives may provide some nice temporary benefits. The best solution... more

Correction of lower eyelid bags: surgery, fillers, peels, etc.

I don't see a role for laser here. Depending on the specific anatomy, I usually prefer a transconjunctival (inside the eyelid) approach to the fat, combined with a skin pinch removal of the excess skin. Once this has healed, fine texturing of the skin can be improved with a chemical peel (I favor Jessner's + TCA). Juvederm can also be used to fill in any tear-trough depression below the eyes. Sometimes I utilize all of these techniques, sometimes only a few. From the photo, though, most of... more

Solution for fat bags below the eyes

Fat bags below the eyes can't be reduced optimally by lasers or transcutaneous procedures. Fillers can temporarily reduce the appearance of the bulges by augmenting the areas around them, but your bulges seem quite prominent and would be best served by a surgical solution. For straightforward reduction in the fat, a transconjunctival blepharoplasty with laser resurfacing may bn acceptable option. For an even better result, you may be a candidate to reduce and reposition your fat, and perform... more

Lower blepharoplasty is best solution for eye bags

Fractional CO2 laser treatments are not effective for lower lid eye bags and are only effective for freckles, skin discoloration, and fine lines. Fillers are not a good option around the eyelids. If the filler is placed in the wrong anatomical area and into the orbital septum, it can remain there for years on end, and it gives it the look of having a puffy eyelid for years. The lower blepharoplasty through a transconjunctival approach removes the fat bags that are present on the lower... more

So many options for eye bags

You have many posts to your questions and as you can see there are various ways to improve the area around your eyes. The best way to determine your options is to visit with a surgeon to evaluate the quality of your skin the amount of fat protrusion, the tightness of your lower eyelid, the function and position of your upper eyelid and the position of your brows just to name a few critical pieces of the evaluation. Your picture gives does not give me your complete story. Based on this... more

Eye bags and surgery

From your photo, I believe that you could be a good candidate for fillers. If you want to try something long lasting but not permanent, Juvederm is a good option and can last up to a year. If you want something more permanent, using your own fat as a filler is a good option if you have it done by an experienced Plastic Surgeon. The CO2 laser would be "icing on the cake" so to speak, in that it will smooth the wrinkles and give a better texture and appearance, but laser... more

Blepharoplasty

Hello, It is difficult to determine if there is a best option, as every individual is different. I would really need to see additional photos and examine you in person to help advise you on what procedure would benefit you the most. If fat is present, fat repositioning is a great option. Please take a look at the videos on my website for a demonstration, and feel free to contact my office. Thank you and best of luck. Dr. Nassif

Procedures for eye bags

Hi, Thank you for your question! While your picture helped, I would need to examine you to give you the best advice. The best thing to do would be to find a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in this area, that you are comfortable with, and listen to your options. Generally speaking though, blepharoplasty is not the only solution for your bags. It all depends on your expectations and what you want changed. There are many procedures such as laser treatments and fillers that can... more

Eye Bag Correction

Your eyes demonstrate skin excess / laxity, prominence of lower lid fat and a deepening tear trough . In my opinion, while surgery COULD be done, you may get a nice result with Sciton's ProFractional treatment combined with their SkinTyte BBL. That should nicely tighten the skin and placement of Restylane along the Nasojugal line would nicely improve this feature. If you are happy with the improvement so far, I would stop there. If you want further improvement, a Transconjunctival... more

Correction of eye bags

The quick answer is no. Your eyes have a lot of sun damage, deep wrinkles (dynamic and static), bags, excess skin, and muscle hypertrophy. You will need a blepharoplasty, and correction of your tear trough deformities. Afterward, you would benefit from skin resurfacing, and possibly Botox injections. Fraxel at this point is a waste of your money.

There are numerous lower eyelid options

Your best option is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. They can personal assess you and discuss what options are best for you. The photograph you posted is not of the best quality. Fillers can be an excellent option. A chemical peel can also be a good option. And yes surgey can also be a very good option.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

8 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Lasers, Restylane, Radiesse, Blepharoplasty and Botox work for under eyelid bags

Under eye lid bags often require multiple modalities to treat effectively. I usually suggest starting with fillers Botox and lasers to enhance the contour, improve the skin tone and relax the crows feet. If that is not enough of an improvement, lower lid blepharoplasty with a cheek lift and a lateral brow lift can also be added to help refresh the area and address the puffy bags. In some cases the eyes still look a little dark or puffy tropicals can also be added. There are many options... more

Is Blepharoplasty the only solution for my eye bags?

Hi Eyes 2010, Fraxel repair (Solta) is a fractional laser that has been effective in many of my patients in tightening lax skin of the lower eye lids. It will not eliminate "eye bags" that are the result of excess fat pads. In NYC, Roy Geronimus, MD has had very good results treating lower lid skin laxity. Certainly, a transconjunctival blepharoplasty with CO2 laser resurfacing or a concurrent lower lid skin pinch would rejuvenate your lower lids. Another option would be a skin... more

Michael A. Persky, MD

21 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drpersky.com

Lasers and Undereye Bags

I use the CO2 laser on a continuous wave (not fractionated ) for cutting from the inside of the eyelid to remove and/or vaporize undereye bags. A good alternative is the use of Restylane in the valleys under eye to disguise the bags.

Under eye bags

Fraxel lasers or any other ablative laser can improve fine lines. Bags of herniated fat need to be removed by surgery. Depressions under the eyes may be improved by fillers or surgical release.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Injectable Fillers work well for lower eyelid bags.

If the grooves between your lower eyelids and cheeks are bothering you, then you could consult with a dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon experienced in the art of filling this delicate area. You appear to have a lot of sun-damage, and wrinkling, especially in the crow's feet area. These deep crow's feet can be softened, but not eliminated, with Injectable Fillers as well. I don't think you're a good candidate for lower blepharoplasty surgery. You could consider a resurfacing procedure,... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD

199 reviews

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Forget lasers and fillers

It appears as if you could benefit from a well performed 4 lid Blepharoplasty. You have hooded upper lids and bags of the lowers. You need to be evaluated in person to know for sure, but after doing this for 35 years, you can be improved. Lasers and fillers will not give you enough help.

Lasers and lower eyelid bags

The bags under your eyes are the result of protruding fat. This would not be helped by a a laser treatment. As the other doctors have recommended, surgical removal of fat and removal of excess skin through blepharoplasty would really be your best option.

Lower lid bags

Bags are a descriptive term and does not indicate the anatomy that causes them. The most important view is from the side and you do not show that view in your photo. Bags are a complex relationship between your eyeball, the lid itself and its muscle, the amount and quality of the overlying skin, the position of your lower lid bony rim and its relationship to your eyeball and lid, and the amount of soft tissue around the bag. There are different solutions or combination of solutions to fit... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Restylane can make eye bags look much better.

Hi. 1) No role for lasers. 2) Filling the under eyes with Restylane hides the bags. 3) Well performed blepharoplasty only permanent solution. 4) Could evaluate better with picture not smiling.

Under eye treatment options

There is no role for lasers in treating eyelid bags. These are fat protrusions that either need surgery or can be temporarily masked by placing fillers in the tear trough below the fat.