What are age concerns for blepharoplasty? What is the ideal candidate's age? What procedures are best for a 30-year-old? (Photo)

Question

I have read several doctors' comments on this site suggesting a surgeon should almost never perform a blepharoplasty on someone in late 20s/early 30s. I feel that my lids are drooping considerably and I am committed to remedying the problem. I would like to conduct some preliminary research before visiting doctors so that I can have questions prepared. What are plausible exceptions to the age restriction? What are appropriate alternatives for someone my age, at this stage? Thank you!!

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

Age should not be a factor by itself.  You appear to be a good candidate for conservative upper blepharoplasty (skin removal only). Best to see an oculoplastic specialist in person for evaluation.

Edward Buckingham, MD · Answer

While it is wise to be cautious performing eyelid surgery for perceived excess skin (blepharoplasty) in a young person, it is not contraindicated.  Usually eyelid surgery is performed for the purposes of restoring the eyelid to a more youthful appearance.  In your case, given that you are young, the procedure would be more similar to a rhinoplasty, where you are improving the appearance of something that has not necessarily aged.  The patient has to be prepared that the outcome will not necessarily be a turning back of the clock, but rather a change in their appearance even from when they were younger.  Nothing inherently wrong with that, but it is wise to consider carefully what your goals are.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

I would have no concerns about performing in upper lid blepharoplasty on someone in their 30s if they had an excess of upper eyelid skin. However I think this is the wrong operation for you. You appear to have droopy brows and would benefit from a forhead lift which would correct upper eyelid skin excess as well as the droopy brow. See a very experienced surgeon for this otherwise you'll end up with the wrong operation.

Raymond E. Lee, MD · Answer

Thanks for posting your question and photos. From your photos it appears upper lid blepharoplasty would be recommended. There is no distinct minimum age. You are on the younger side but it looks like the appropriate procedure for you. Please consult with an experienced board certified surgeon.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

It is quite common to perform blepharoplasty for 20 and 30 year olds.  Less is more.  I would recommend very careful assessment.  The fullness of the upper eyelid fold needs to be preserved.  I think you need a structured micro anchor blepharoplasty.  The effect will be to increase the jewel like character of the eyes with preservation of the eyelid eyelid fold.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Big D,You appear to have the type of heavy upper eyelids that have been present your entire life.  If their appearance bothers you, then an upper blepharoplasty will correct your concerns.  Make sure to choose your eyelid surgeon most carefully!  Good luck and be well.Michael Persky,MDEncino, CA

Kristin J. Tarbet, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. It is possible to do a blepharoplasty on a 30 year old. Looking at your photos I think that removing some excess skin from your upper lids would be appropriate. You should consult an Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon in your area. Good luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It is possible to perform an upper blepharoplasty on a 30-year-old. A conservative skin only upper blepharoplasty to raise the hooded and full upper eye lid skin off of the eyelashes would be the primary reason to perform the surgery, regardless of your age. When excess skin is touching the lashes, this can be surgically removed. For many examples, please see the link below

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi and this is a very good question.  It's not that we shouldn't perform upper eyelid surgery on someone in their late twenties to 30 years of age but rather that an upper eyelid surgery wouldn't address the "most" obvious cause of upper eyelid fullness in a patient of that age.  Let me explain further. Fullness of the upper eyelid can be from excess upper eyelid skin (very uncommon in a twenty something...more likely in fourty year olds) or eyebrows that are low in position.  Since a twenty something isn't likely to have excess skin, I'd wager the fullness you see is from low eyebrows.  I have seen this in numerous twenty something females...and the treatment is a Browlift, not upper eyelid surgery.  Hope this helps.

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