Laser Blepharoplasty Vs. Surgery

A laser is simply a surgical tool. It is used to cut skin and coagulate blood vessels. Both can be done with various surgical instruments (scalpel or laser) equally well. It really depends on the type of tools your surgeon prefers to use. I would make your decision about which surgeon to choose based on which one you feel understands your goals and most specializes in this type of surgery. Ask to see before and after photos and speak to friends who have had the procedures, before you make your decision.

Great question. I think we as doctors use confusing terminology. "Laser blepharoplasty" can be referring to many aspects of the surgery. It may be just laser treatment of the skin in addition to blepharoplasty or just use of a laser to make the incision. I would make sure you clarify exactly what this means with your surgeon. I would not recommend paying any more if it is a "laser assisted" incision, as these incisions heal well no matter what device used (laser or scalpel). However, if laser is used to treat the skin as well, this is a nice addition to the surgery and can lead to better results in the right patients.
Hope this helps!Kyle Kimura, MDFacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

A Co2 laser can be used to make a skin incision like a scalpel. The main advantage is that it cauterizes as it cuts so it minimizes bleeding. So ultimately you may get less swelling and quicker recovery with the co2 laser.
In terms of final healing however, I don't think there is much difference between laser vs scalpel blepharoplasty. Both can give excellent results, it just depends which tool your surgeon is most comfortable with.

I do both procedures. Personally I prefer a scalpel but essentially these are just to ways of doing the same thing. It is similar to using a nail gun to put a piece of wood together or a hammer. It really matters what the worker is most comfortable with. The laser theoretically has less bleeding because it burns as it cuts but if the surgeon is comfortable with a scalpel then the results are essentially the same. The surgery should last the same with both techniques. Some surgeons will tighten the orbital septum with a laser during the blepharoplasty and that can increase the length of results. I only do that for a small group of patients though  it is for patients with minimal fat protrusion or displacement. Hope this helps.Best of luck,DrC

Thank you for your question Katya. When considering eyelid surgery, there are 3 main components that may require to be addressed. Firstly - excess skin and skin laxity can be apparent creating fine lines and wrinkles. Secondly the muscle town under the skin can be reduced creating the appearance of festoons and lastly the hermiation of fat deep to the muscle can create the appearance of lower eyelid fullness and bags. Patients suffer from these in various degrees, and it is important for the surgeon to assess all 3 components. Both surgical and laser treatments are recognised treatments for eyelid surgery but laser tends to address the superficial layer i.e the skin only. It can create some skin tightness to reduce the fine lines and wrinkles but will not address either the muscle or the fat. With surgery the incision is made under the eye lashes and into the crow's feet. This allows excess loose skin to be removed and it also provides access to re-drape the fat underneath and tighten the muscle of the lower eyelid, creating a more harmonious outcome and thus reducing the appearance of bags and fullness of the lower eye lid.Hope that helps and good luck.

Dear Katya,Thank you for your question.  Laser can be used to resurface skin, making the surface of the eyelids appear smoother and tighter.  This does not address other issues such as fat pockets that cause puffiness or loosening of the deeper structures of the eyelid.  Sometimes surgeons utilize a laser to perform the incisions for eyelid surgery, but in my opinion there is little benefit to doing so.  In my opinion, eyelid surgery using a scalpel is usually the best technique to give you the results you are seeking.  Only surgery can fully restructure the eyelids into a more youthful appearance.Aloha, Shim Ching, MD

A laser is simply a "light scalpel". Both techniques work well in the right hands. For best results select your surgeon wisely, far more important than you selecting the technique.Expert Eyelid surgeons include Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, Facial Plastic Surgeons (ENT), and ophthalmology. There is no such thing as a "eyelid fellowship". The most critical decision to be made in achieving the best plastic surgical result is picking the most experienced and talented, that is the best, plastic surgeon possible. Too often, patients choose a physician based on a catchy ad, the brand name of a technique, the basis of one or two before and after photos, or their web site’s search engine ranking. These criteria will not find the most experienced and talented plastic surgeon. See the below link on how I would research the identity of the best plastic surgeon for your eyelid surgery.#BestBlepharoplastySurgeon#LaserVsScalpelBlepharoplasty

There are many devices on the market which can be used to assist blepharoplasty. They are all effective and give good results. It is more important to have a good surgeon perform the operation. The instrument your physician feels most comfortable using is the right one in his hands. Good luck. 

I perform both procedures and examine the patients carefully before tailoring a combination of techniques for eyelid surgery. Raffy Karamanoukian Los Angeles

The laser and scalpel are both surgical instruments which can be used to perform blepharoplasty.  The blepharoplasty is done the same way, whether the scalpel or laser is used.  There’s no long term data to indicate one is better than the other.
More important then the surgical instrument utilized, is the surgeon’s personal experience with whatever instrument he or she prefers.  When considering blepharoplasty it’s important to consider the surgeons experience and reputation.  Make sure you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.

A laser used for cutting in an upper eyyelid surgery is nothing but a fancy marketing ploy.  Cutting something with a laser sound really cool but there is no benefit and if anything a significant risk is being taken that is not there with a traditional scalp blade.  Lasers are very beneficial for resurfacing or fractionated therapy but they currently have no role to be used a cutting device.