Is There Anyway of Reducing Eyelid Folds Without Surgery?

Question

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Although blepharoplasty surgery is the only treatment that is long lasting there are a few things you can do that are of temporary help. Make sure you have an exam to make sure that you do not have weak eye muscles, ptosis, as your cause by an exam by a board certified specialist. Lower lids: Ceramide creams for the lower lids which in minutes as they dry the clear membrane tightens the lower lid skin minimizing bags and wrinkles. This lasts from 4-8 hrs and can be reapplied as needed. Radiofrequency, laser and peels tighten the skin with minimal downtime. Fillers for fat transfer #lipoinjection, to the lower lid to fill in the cheek-lid depression that casts shadows also helps many. For the upper lids, Botox in the crows feet area just below the brow will gently lift the lateral brow and lift a bit of the hooding on the side of your eye. This lasts about 3-4 months. Make sure you go to an expert injector associated with a Plastic Surgeon, Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dermatologist, or Ophthalmologist skilled in injections.#NonSurgicalLidAlternatives#NonSurgicalEyelidFoldOptions

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

The vast majority of patients with redundant eyelid skin require blepharoplasty surgery to correct the problem. Rarely when minimal amounts of excess skin are present, non-surgical alternatives may be helpful. These procedures actually tighten the skin by causing contraction of dermal collagen. Procedures in this category include TCA chemical peels and a variety of laser procedures. These procedures provide minimal degrees of skin tightening and also remove fine eyelid wrinkles.In any particular case, it's virtually impossible to make a recommendation without pictures or a physical examination. It's, therefore, important to consult a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this area. This surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that addresses your anatomic findings and achieves your aesthetic goals.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Depending on the location of your eyelid folds, nonsurgical options you can consider include Botox/Dysport, fillers and laser resurfacing.

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

There are several lasers which can tighten loose eyelid skin. All have their pros and cons. I like using an erbium laser because of its effectiveness and safety. The pure CO2 laser is much stronger and has impressive results, but the risk of complication is higher as well. See an oculoplastic surgeon to evaluate your eyelids and to determine appropriate treatment.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Excess skin that is causing the eyelid folds can only be safely and effectively removed with surgery.

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

If the folds you are referring to is some minor skin excess, then laser resurfacing or chemical peeling would be excellent ways to improve those areas. If it is a volume problem, then injectable fillers are an option to fill in those areas as well. I hope this information helps.

Robert W. Kessler, MD, FACS · Answer

Although surgery is the defintive way to remove excess eyelid skin, there are good nonsurgical options depending on the severity of the problem and the underlying cause.
	If there is volume loss of the upper lid and brow or the area we call the tear trough restylane is an excellent product to address this.
	Active muscles about the eye can contribute to downward position of the brow and worsening of the crow's feet. this can be addressed with botox.
	If the skin is crepey and thin, resurfacing with a fractional CO2 laser is an excellent solution which yields beatiful resutls.

	Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon to help udnerstand which of these options will be best for you.

	Good luck.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Brit,

	The best non-surgical treatment to reduce eyelid folds is with fractionated CO2 laser (Fraxel repair, Deep FX).  The treatment is very safe and effective and can be repeated until you are satisfied.  I treated Brittish journalist Kate Spicer on her BBC special "Super Botox Me" nearly three years ago.  You can see the treatment at the below web reference.  The December 2010 issue of Allure magazine (page 130) also discusses Fraxel repair for the treatment of eyelid skin.  Good luck and be well.

	Dr. P

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

The answer depends on what the folds are due to.  If folds are due to volume loss, then injectable fillers can be used.  If it is due to underlying muscle action, then botox can be used.  If they are due to poor skin elasticity, then skin resurfacing with chemical peel or laser can be used.  These are all nonsurgical options.

	Dr Taban

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD · Answer

The eyes are the windows to the soul. All too often, however, they seem to reveal exhaustion. The very delicate skin around the eyes tends to get crepey and puffy due to fatigue and stress. An effective non-surgical option that might benefit you is Thermage&reg;, which can tighten the skin around the eyes. The new and improved Thermage&reg; is a virtually painless, non-invasive (no incision!) treatment that can tighten skin and stimulate your body to make healthier collagen&mdash;the building block that provides structure to your skin. Fast and easy, Thermage&reg; requires no downtime from normal activities.

	Eyelid surgery has become one of my most popular procedures. If excess upper eyelid skin is hooding the eye and needs to be eliminated, an incision is made in the crease at the top of the lid and excess fat and skin are removed. The incisions are closed and sutured on the underside of the skin. If under eye puffiness and dark circles need to be eliminated, an incision is made along the lower lashes that will be almost invisible when it heals. Next, the fat below is either removed or redistributed and the saggy and crepey excess skin is then pulled up and cut off. The incisions is closed with tiny sutures, which are removed in four to six days