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Is 18 Years Old Too Young for Eyelid Surgery?

My baby sister is turning 18 in a week and for the past year, she has been saving her money for an upper eyelid surgery. Her upper eyes are and have always been slightly droopy and she constantly looks tired or mad (even when she is not). The skin hits her eyelashes, which sometimes causes a rash on the skin. She is very unhappy. I’m just a little worried and I want to know if 18 years old is too young to have upper eyelid surgery. Also, what are the complications for someone this young? Will it look worse as she ages or will this be good for her? Thank you!

Asked 29 months ago by A 1944 in Washington

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18 might not be too young for upper eyelid surgery

The age of 18 may or may not be too young for upper eyelid surgery depending on what one wants to achieve with eyelid surgery. If excess skin is causing inversion of the upper eyelids or if the upper eyelashes are rubbing on the cornea causing irritation to the cornea, these may be good reasons for upper eyelid surgery on an 18 year old. Also we commonly do upper eyelid on Asians who are around 18 years old to create a supratarsal fold that is not normally present. more

James Tang, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

18 is not too young for eyelid surgery

Depending on the causes of your baby sister's problem and her aesthetic goals, she may not be too young for eyelid surgery. One very prominent example is among Eastern Asians, who often have "double-eyelid" surgery in order to remove the heavy lidded appearance of eyelids which have no visible fold. This is often done at a younger age. The best thing for your sister to do is to see a qualified surgeon in consultation and discuss her concerns. Then she can be evaluated... more

Jen Yuan Chow, MD

Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon

Upper eyelid surgery for young patients

It sounds as though from the description, that when the eyelid skin is touching the eyelashes and irritating the eye that indeed, there is an indication to perform upper blepharoplasty. Sometimes on certain ethnic eyelids there is excess fat in the upper lid that herniates over the eyelid, which can be removed. There is probably only a minimal amount of skin that needs to be removed at age 18. Indeed, 18 years of age is a bit young to have upper blepharoplasty; however, when it is... more

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William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Upper lid blepharoplasty in an 18 year old

It is extremely , extremely rare to have to need upper eyelid rejuventation in such a young person unless they have some sort of underlying skin disease or facial abnormality. Without examining this person, I would not be able to offer any suggestions.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Upper lid surgery may be more necessary than cosmetic

While 18 does seem way too young for a cosmetic upper eyelid procedure, it may be the right thing to do. Some people do develop upper eyelid laxity or "droop" at an early age. It can be related to the muscle or nerve function of the eyelid. It must be appropriately evaluated. If it is asymmetric, or each eye looks different, there may be multiple causes. If it is symmetric, or the eyes droop the same, surgical correction may be the only answer. Make sure she has an evaluation by... more

David A. Dreyfuss, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Upper eyelid surgery at age 18

She does seem too young to have upper Blepharoplasty. But there are individuals with abnormal early laxity of their skin. in these cases upper Blepharoplasty could be successful. The possibility of a visible scar should be discussed with the plastic surgeon, as this would be more noticeable in a young person.

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD

Morristown Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

18 years old for upper eyelid surgery

It sounds like the issue is not cosmetic per se but congenital. The "tired" or "mad" look is indicative of congenital ptosis. So you're sister is not looking at cosmetic surgery. She needs to see an oculoplastic surgeon who specializes in congenital ptosis. Surgical correction of this problem can be quite difficult. She might want to look into the larger institutions that really specialize in this kind of surgery.

Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Upper eyelid surgery in a young patient is seldom indicated

Upper eyelid surgery in a young patient is seldom indicated unless they have congenital excess skin which is rare. The other indication for a droopy eyelid surgery might be from a condition called ptosis where the upper eyelid hangs close to the pupil where normally in caucasian eyelids it should rest 1-2mm below the iris. Excess skin alone is very uncommon; however, sometimes a very small amount needs to be removed to accomodate correction of ptosis. On the other hand, I would caution... more

Scott Trimas, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

She may have a true upper eyelid ptosis

Hi Alexa She may or may not be too young to make this decision. Certainly she should make this decision with the help and support of her parents. She may very well have a functional issue. If the droopiness of the upper eyelid is due to the eyelid margin (where the eyelashes are) resting low on the eye, this condition is referred to as upper eyelid ptosis. If your are referring to the upper eyelid fold, this needs to be more carefully assessed. I would strongly recommend assessment by... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Upper Eyelid Surgery for 18 year old

It really depends what we are talking about. If she really has excess skin that can be improved by removing it, then so be it. But she would need to be examined to determine the proper diagnosis and then the treatment plan would be based on the problem at hand. Age does not always play a role. Good luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Upper Blepharoplasty in an 18-year-old

Age 18 is not too young for upper eyelid blepharoplasty so long as there is an appropriate anatomic condition to correct. Most young patients may have a genetic propensity to excess upper lid skin. Usually a family member or two have a similar condition. The treatment is removal of the excess skin. Occasionally muscle and fat also need to be removed. It is important to assess the positions of the brow to make sure they are not too low, which may make the lids look like they are low and... more

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Amir M. Karam, MD

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

18 is too young for upper blepharoplasty

18 is too young for upper eyelid surgery unless it is for creating a double lid in an asian eye. Your baby sitter might be looking angry and tired because of wrinkles between eyebrows, crows feet or forehead. She might benefit from Botox. Have her consider other options before getting into upper eyelid surgery. Regards

Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Upper eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) is often OK for young adults

Upper eyelid cosmetic surgery (Blepharoplasty) is not a problem for an 18 year old. However, just like every other patient, it is important that problem be correctly identified and the proper procedure is performed. For most 18 year olds droopy eyelids can mean: That there is two much fullness off the upper eyelid That the muscle that lifts the eyelid is not working properly so the edge of the eyelid itself is too low In some patients both of these problems are present. If the problem is... more

Marc Cohen, MD

Philadelphia Oculoplastic Surgeon

Upper blepharoplasty for an 18 year old

More important than the age is the anatomical situation and the goals your sister wants to achieve with an upper eyelid lift. It sounds like that she would like a resculpting of the lids as there should be no age-related changes at 18. She should visit with an experienced facial aesthetic surgeon to discuss her concerns and to be thoroughly examined. Risks associated with blepharoplasty are multifold but not different than in oder people. In addition, upper blepharoplasty is commonly... more

Frank P. Fechner, MD

Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon

Diagnosis of the upper eyelids first: dermatochalasis, blepharochalasis, ptosis, etc.

At 18 years old, age is not a factor in producing the appearance you describe, so a proper diagnosis first is essential. Most upper eyelid rejuvenation is directed at correcting dermatochalasis, which is an age-related change. In younger patients, a diagnosis such as blepharochalasis--a recurring and relapsing inflammatory condition of the lids--is more likely. The other key issue is to determine whether she has true ptosis of the eyelids, which can be the result of a spectrum of anatomic... more

David C. Pearson, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Congenital Ptosis or Myasthenia Gravis?

Dear Alexa 7777, Are you sure that your sister just has "droopy" upper eyelids? Droopiness of the upper eyelids is rare in 18 year olds. Has the problem been apparent since she was an infant or toddler? Is she able to raise her upper eyelids or are they always droopy? Are there certain times of the day when the problem is worse? Please obtain an evaluation from a reputable Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Your sister may need more than just cosmetic upper eyelid blepharoplasties.... more

Michael C. Pickart, MD

Ventura Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Upper eyelid lift, or is it really ptosis repair?

Dear Alexa I have to say that in my opinion 18 is too young to do an eyelid lift. That being said, some people have a problem called ptosis, or drooping eyelid. This is a surgically correctable problem that involves the eyelid muscle and should be properly evaluated by a plastic surgeon with much experience in eyelid surgery or an oculoplastic surgeon. Before rushing into surgery why not suggest you go with your sister to see if this is her problem. If it is not and it is just a cosmetic... more