Which non invasive procedures would minimize the appearance of malar bags and festoons? 24 y/o female (photos)

Question

Hello, im a 24 year old female and maybe about a year and a half ago these puffy areas kinda showed up almost over night and they seem to be getting more pronounced. The skin in the puffy area is slightly different texture, its smoother and a tad more shiny than the rest of the skin on my face. My left festoon is more probounced than the right and swoops down lower.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. A formal evaluation would be needed to determine the best treatment. There are both surgical and non-surgical options to correct this, depending on your specific situation.

For less significant puffiness and sagging UNDER the eyes, or more mild improvement, there are nonsurgical treatment options: we often use Renuvion helium plasma radiofrequency (RF) energy to achieve incredible results and take years off of your appearance. Combining RF energy and cool helium plasma, the signs of aging (wrinkles, pigmentation, skin laxity) are improved in a ‘Nonsurgical Lower Eyelid Lift.' The focused heating tightens and peels the outer skin layer with extreme precision, leaving the surrounding area undamaged, smoothing and tightening the periorbital skin, and improving the overall skin quality around the eyes. It's an aggressive treatment, and the recovery time is longer than with other nonsurgical procedures, but the results can be life-changing.​

Surgery (a lower blepharoplasty with or without canthopexy/canthoplasty or orbicularis muscle suspension) is a great option for more significant improvement- for example if there are more severe lower eyelid bags / bulging present. Sometimes the surgery can also be used to intentionally adjust the shape and/or size of your eyes, or correct any asymmetries!

Dr. Donald Groves is an expert facial plastic surgeon that I work with, who specializes in these types of procedures. It is important that if you are considering surgery that you go to someone who is well trained and very experienced with these delicate operations to get the best results. I suggest getting a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dermatologist and facial sculpting expert, or an aesthetic facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Groves; we are both located right here in Los Angeles.

Best, 
Dr. Emer

Anna Petropoulos, MD, FRCS · Answer

Hello jsbubs, thank you for your question! In our practice we have had great results for this type of concern with various radiofrequency devices. Thermage (linked here) is used to tighten the delicate skin around the eyes, in your case the lower lids, which may help minimize the appearance of bags/festoons with no downtime. Additionally, RF-microneedling treatments such as Morpheus or SylfirmX, primarily used for larger areas such as the whole face, neck, abdomen, etc, do a wonderful job of tightening skin, clearing up breakouts, and brightening complexion. These treatments do involve varying amounts of downtime, but no more than a couple of days (Sylfirm is basically a few hours) of redness). I hope this helps! Best, Genie Alexander, RN BSN for Dr. Anna Petropoulos, MD FRCS at Center for Classic Beauty Danvers & Boston MA.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

The kind of issue seen in the photos is one that is routinely treated with the appropriate HA filler in active cosmetic dermatology practices practically on a daily basis.
The photos suggest some volume deficit in the cheeks and since the upper cheeks serve as an important support for the under-eye region, volume deficit in the cheeks typically results in infraorbital hollows, tear troughs and bags.
The appropriate use of an HA volumizing filler for the upper cheeks typically results in immediate improvement that evokes a "Wow!" response and engenders little to no significant downtime. 
You would be wise to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist filler expert and relax.

Which non invasive procedures would minimize the appearance of malar bags and festoons? 24 y/o female (photos)

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Which non invasive procedures would minimize the appearance of malar bags and festoons? 24 y/o female (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

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