Eyelid Surgery: Q&A
Ask a Question
Traditional Blepharoplasty Vs Laser Blepharoplasty for Eye Bags?
I am turning 50 next month and want to have an undereye procedure to remove the bags under my eyes. I've seen two plastic surgeons. One suggested laser blepharoplasty and the other an under eye incision. I'm confused now. Is laser blepharoplasty better than undereye surgery? I would appreciate any suggestions or clarification regarding these two procedures.
Tags:
27 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Stephie
in Pasadena, CA
+8
Happy Birthday! There are many ways to treat undereye bags
Hello, you look great. The best "plastic surgery" is smiling, and your smile makes you look very young.
Now as far as your under eye area - it is difficult to advise you based on this picture alone. If you have minimal fat under your eyes then a fractionated carbon dioxide laser such as Fraxel re:pair gives great results alone. If you have excessive skin, then it can be combined with a skin "pinch" excision. If you have a lot of fat protrusion then a transconjunctival...
more
+6
Laser blepharoplasty vs transconjunctival vs subciliary vs cheeklift
The laser offers no proven benefits when used as a cutting tool except slower healing.
Of the options for your lower eyelids, if there is just a small amount of puffiness, transconjunctival (from inside the eyelid) reduction in fat combined with a peel of the lower lids or CO2 laser resurfacing conservatively for the entire face to avoid color changes should be considered.
In patients with a great deal of undereye skin, we have found that a limited incision superficial cheeklift, often with...
more
+5
Traditional Blepharoplasty Vs Laser Blepharoplasty for Eye Bags?
Good question, and some basic definitions would help here. "Traditional" blepharoplasty probably refers to making an incision just underneath your eyelashes with a knife, taking out the fat pockets, and then removing the excess skin. This method leaves a scar underneath the lower eyelid, and is probably still the most common method of lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
The other method of treating lower eyelid fat is through a transconjunctival incision (making...
more
You might also like...
Real Stories
Help Me Please, my Eyes Look Much Worst After a Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty - Italy, IT
I'am italian and I live in Roma. I am 55 years old. My beauty strenght were the eyes, and...
+4
Blepharoplasty
If you have a hammer then all the world is a nail! Those that have a laser to cut through the skin will want to use it at every opportunity. It is a great marketing tool, but no better than doing it traditionally. The laser just cuts through the tissue a little differently. Both can give great results. Go with the doctor that you feel most comfortable with, and that has a good track record.
+3
"Laser Blepharoplasty" may be a marketing gimmick
There are two things your doctor may have meant when he recommended "laser blepharoplasty."
He may have been referring to using a fractionated laser, such as Fraxel, that will rejuvenate the skin beneath your eye. This is a very easy and straightforward procedure since it involves no incisions, and your healing time will be very fast.
Your doctor may have meant using a laser to make the incision for a lower Blepharoplasty. If this is the case it is probably a...
more
+3
Laser transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty and laser upper lid surgery has many advantages
I respect the other opinions expressed above. However I have used the laser blepharoplasty exclusively for almost 14 years in over 2400 blepharoplasty cases and have my own opinion about the benefits which were published in my 2000 article in the plastic surgery journal:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11039385
Recent studies in Asia have also confirmed the benefits of laser blepharoplasty and in that study concluded that laser blepharoplasty was superior.
The benefits of the laser are...
more
+2
Laser Blepharoplasty is a Marketing Term
The first thing that should be understood is that the laser and the scalpel are both surgical tools which can be used to perform upper or lower eyelid Blepharoplasty. Does the use of a laser lead to a superior result? No. If anything, the thermal energy associated with the CO2 laser will lead to a greater amount of swelling. What is most important is the Surgeon performing the procedure.
+2
Traditional Blepharoplasty Vs Laser Blepharoplasty for Eye Bags?
Laser Blepharoplasty is a confusing term because it does not describe what is being done with the laser. Similarly, what is traditional Blepharoplasty? I would guess that is cutting the eyelid through a skin incision.
In any case, from your photos I don't believe you need a skin incision. I would think a transconjunctival blepharoplasty would suffice. If you have eyelid skin crepiness that you want to address, laser resurfacing would be a good option....
more
+2
We should consider both of these are surgical procedures
We should consider both of these are surgical procedures. The laser assists when making incisions. Lasers can also improve the eyelid skin by tightening the skin and reducing fine lines. Incisions from laser show no difference than traditional incisions.
+2
Many surgeons favor a posterior transconjunctival approach
I suspect that the different suggestions had to do with where the incision might be placed. The plastic surgeon offering the laser blepharoplasty may have been discussing a transconjunctival approach to the lower eyelid herniated fat. Another approach is a lower eyelid skin crease incision. Much depends, as has been discussed, with what the problem is.Many now favor a posterior transconjunctival approach which can be accomplished with a CO2 laser, cutting cautery, etc. Fat can then be...
more
Austin Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1
There is No Long Term Data That Suggests Blepharoplasty is Better Than the Laser Blepharoplasty
Both the laser and scalpel are surgical instruments that can be used to accomplish many of the same goals. Each one can be used as a surgical cutting tool when performing eyelid surgery. There is no long term data to suggest that one is better than the other.
When considering blepharoplasty surgery, the surgeons experience and reputation are critical. The surgical instrument that is utilized, although important to the surgeon, should not effect your decision. It’s...
more
+1
Laser Blepharoplasty or Laser Eyelid Lift
Thank you for this important question. The missing fact in the "laser eyelid surgery" trend is exactly what the laser is being used to do. Is it being used to make the skin incision?? If so, there is no advantage at all. Focused, intense light energy can cut tissue -- just like a knife -- but the tissue still has to heal afterward. Is the laser being used to melt the fat pads?? In this case, a traditional cautery device does the same thing in nearly the same way. Is the laser being...
more
+1
Blepharoplasty versus laser blepharoplasty
In younger patients with early signs signs of aging with mnimal skin excess transconjunctival removal of fat from the inside of the eyelid and laser resurfacing or pinch of excess of skin is ideal. In Patients who have more significant changes to their lower lids such as signficant skin excess and muscle herniation then conventional blepharoplasty with suspension of the muscle sling around the orbit and skin excision is generally most effective. Its best to discuss the pros and cons of...
more
+1
Surgery for Eye Bags
A very common aging change in the lower eyelids is the development of 'bags', which are in most cases due to an outward bulging of the fat pads behind the lower lids. These 'bags' of fat can be improved by conservative removal through an invisible incision on the inside of the lower lid (trans-conjunctival approach) in patients that do not require skin excision, or through the under-eyelash (sub-ciliary approach) in patients that are having some excess lower lid skin removed.
As with...
more
+1
Blepharoplasty with or without Laser
The treatment of bags under your eyes usually requires removal of fat that pooches out creating puffiness. This can be performed from the inside of the eyelid or through an incision on the skin surface of the lid. If you have any loose skin creating wrinkles on your lids, then you will probably require a skin excision to tailor or tuck the skin. The advantage of a laser is that its heat coagulates blood vessels as it dissects through tissue, so there should be less bruising...
more
+1
Laser blepharoplasty works very well
Those patients presenting with saggy, wrinkly skin in the lower lids may benefit from laser blepharoplasty. This involves resurfacing of the lower lid skin without making incisions, resections, and sutures.
+1
Eyelid Bags - Not always the same
Lower eyelid surgery (lower blepharoplasty) can address several age-related changes with the lower lids:
Skin Excess
Fat Bulges
Noticeable skin / bone attachments
The picture you submitted is not very useful in assessing your "eye bags" as you are smiling in the photo. When someone smiles, the obicularis muscle that runs as a circular sheet around the eye contracts. This creates "crows feet" creases that start from the side and can cross onto the...
more
+1
Laser is Extremely Effective for Skin Resurfacing
Laser is extremely effective for skin resurfacing and reducing fine wrinkles, and some surgeons have used it as an aid in making incisions and removing fat during the performance of blepharoplasty, but most surgeons do not feel it has any advantage over blepharoplasty performed with a scalpel. It is important to clarify whether the surgeon feels that resurfacing is sufficient to correct the problem. Surgery is generally necessary to remove fat bags under the eyes.
+1
Laser vs. Traditional Eyelid Surgery
There is no advantage to laser cosmetic eyelid surgery and there are disadvantages. The finest skin incision is made with a scalpel, not a laser. Also, a scalpel doesn't cause any damage to the skin except for the incision while lasers cause thermal injury to the areas on either side of the incision. Lasers also add additional risk to the procedure such as laser induced fires.
see video
+1
Laser vs. cautery vs. scalpel for blepharoplasty
There have been many articles published on which is superior for blepharoplasty, and most have shown no difference at 2-3 weeks post-op. Laser and cautery can cause slightly more swelling, but less bruising in my experience. I prefer electric cautery for its low expense, but improved hemostasis. The surgeon's skill at manipulating tissue planes and properly closing wounds is the key to a successful outcome.
+1
When is a Laser Blepharoplasty Indicated?
A laser blepharoplasty has no distinct wound healing or improved scar advantages over a traditional, scalpel blepharoplasty. There is no scientific evidence to show that one is better than the other both in post operative wound healing and swelling. In summary, a laser blepharoplasty is mainly used as a marketing advantage for removing redundant upper and lower eyelid skin.
+1
Lower blepharoplasty with lasers
I think the confusion is bases on how your surgeon plans on making incisions(using a laser or not). There are some differences in terms of length of edema,etc with lasers. The real question based on your photo is whether you need a lower blepharoplasty at all. If you have "puffiness" then blepharoplasty is appropriate. If,though, you have hollowness, then placing a filler, like, restylane is more appropriate.
+1
Lasers in blepharoplasty
Many patients ask me if I use lasers for cosmetic surgery, specifically, blepharoplasty. The short answer is no, I use a cutting cautery method that I believe has many advantages over the laser as a cutting tool.
I have summarized my reasons for this choice below. I have been using lasers in medicine since 1980. I currently use lasers when I feel that their use has unique advantages for the patient, such as laser skin resurfacing and laser vision correction. A few surgeons describe...
more
+1
Laser v. traditional blepharoplasty
My advise is to go to the surgeon who suggested doing an incision under the eyelid. There is no difference in the technique. One surgeon is going to make his skin incision with a knife and the other is going to make his incision with a laser. The way I see it . One is going to cut you and the other is going to burn you. Take your pick. I feel that the burn (laser) is going to cause more tissue damage to the skin edges. The advertisement of the...
more
+1
Various techniques for lower eyelid surgery
Lower eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) is one of the more difficult operations. I have seen the various techniques achieve similar results.Therefore, as long as your surgeon has made the correct evaluation of your problems and provides the proper operation to correct these problems, you should get a good result.
Selecting your surgeon is important; your surgeon should be have a conservative and effective technique for treating the lower eyelid. The general trend in lower blepharoplasty is...
more
+1
Choose surgeon not approach
Both approaches can provide good results. The more important step is to find a surgeon that you trust and understands your objectives.
+1
The issue should be transconjunctival vs transcutaneous blepharoplasty
The question is not whether laser is best option. The real question is, should you undergo a transconjunctival blepharoplasty (through the inner aspect of the lower eyelid) or a transcutaneous technique (through the skin)?
A transconjuntival technique is a fine option if you only desire to remove or redrape some fat with or without laser resurfacing of the skin. The trancutaneous technique will allow you to address the fat, muscle, and overlying skin all at once. Most patients in their 40's...
more
Comments (1)