How Effective Are Non-surgical Options Compared to Eyelid Surgery?

Are some conditions resolved with non-surgical alternatives to blepharoplasty? How often do patients end up needing surgery in the long run anyway?

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Nonsurgical treatment of eyelids

I use the Pixel laser (Erbium YAG) if there are fine lines in the lower lids but if there is extra skin, a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) should be performed. For dark circles, either restylane or fat injections help.

The choice of Blepharoplasty Surgery vs non surgical eyelid treatment depends on what your eyelids look like.

Blepharoplasty with surgery or laser works best if there is significant extra skin or herniated fat pads. If the eyelids a slightly loose or wrinkled, it is possible to get a great results with ablative or sometimes nonablative laser treatments.

Mark Taylor, MD

Salt Lake City Dermatologic Surgeon

www.gatewaylasercenter.com

Non-surgical options can be effective

Non-surgical alternatives for blepharoplasty include Botox/Dysport injections to raise the eyebrow which can result in a more open eye apperance, fillers (Restylane or Juvederm) to carefully smooth out the under eye area and chemical peels or laser to smooth fine lines and imnprove pigment. All of these effects are temporary and therefore proceeding with a surgical treatment can be considered for a more long-lasting result. Consult with a plastic surgeon to... more

Blepharoplasty

This question seems to ask when can injectables improve the appearance of the eyes and when is surgery necessary to achieve the desired improvement. For the upper eyelids the answer to this question depends on the extent of any excess redundant upper eyelid skin. The appearance of the upper eyelids can sometimes be improved with the use of neuromodulators. However, if there is excessive upper eyelid skin surgical removal of the excess redundant skin is necessary.... more

Paul Carniol, MD

Summit Facial Plastic Surgeon

drcarniol.com

We can't answer this question definitively yet.

It is very clear that the noninvasive treatment are very good. For some people it means help for many years avoiding the need to have eyelid surgery. There are other for whom the noninvasive methods simple do no adequately address there anatomic issues. They need surgery. I personally believe that there are individuals for whom minimally invasive methods will work for them until they reach a point where they are no longer interested in cosmetic procedures. What... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

8 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Nonsurgical alternatives to blepharoplasty

A general question can only be answered in general terms. If you do not need a blepharoplasty, then the non-surgical treatments such as Botox, can be effective. If you have ptosis or sagging in the upper eyelids and brows, then surgery may be required to elevate the brows and/or excise excessive upper lid skin. Similarly, if you have lost volume in the lower eyelid area, then Restylane can achieve an improvement but if the condition is such that this is insufficient, then a lower lid... more

Non-surgical Alternatives to Blepharoplasty

The brief answer is that although there are non-surgical treatments for specific aesthetic concerns around the eyes, there is no substitute for skin removal in the upper eyelids when it is indicated, or fat removal/cheek repositioning in the lower eyelids. Botox/ Dysport/ Xeomin are very effective in addressing crow's feet, Sculptra and fillers are very effective at adding volume to the cheeks, but do not address the concerns shared by most upper/lower eyelid Blepharoplasty candidates more