Can Lasers get rid of my festoons? (photo)

Festoons are a medical condition in which the skin of the lower eyelid
becomes significantly damaged, usually by the sun. This damaged skin can
result in folds in the lower eyelids and can lead to swollen mounds on
the cheeks. They often occur with age and are more common in people with
lighter skin types. There do exist certain inherited forms of lower lid festoons but most are related to sun exposure over time. Festoons and malar mounds have been a frustration for surgeons for many
years. Thanks to the initial work of Dr. Sterling Baker, I now have a sophisticated, technically-challenging but effective treatment for festoons and malar mounds. I use a Dual Pulsed Erbium laser to create a controlled injury in the skin in the area of the festoon and then coax the skin back to a tighter, healthier and more attractive state. This can make a big improvement in lower eyelid festoons and malar mounds in my hands. Take a look at the link below for more information.

Unfortunately, there are no perfect solutions for festoons. As others have mentioned, often surgery is needed, which would trade the festoons for a thin scar. Laser resurfacing may "get rid of" mild festoons, and will likely improve moderate festoons, but would not eliminate them. Fat grafting would plump up the cheeks and may give some additional benefit, but I would not guarantee that.

In general, with the degree of festoons displayed in the photograph a laser treatment to the area probably won't "get rid" of the festoons.  A CO2 laser resurfacing procedure will improve them, however.   In all likelihood you will need a combination of surgery and volume augmentation (fat transfer) to the surrounding areas.  However, an in-office consultation is needed to better assess the area and review your health history, if any.I hope this helps.

Based on the magnitude of the problem it is highly unlikely that CO2 laser by itself would correct the Festoons. The orbicularis muscle requires repositioning for successful treatment.

Thanks for your question and your photo.Your lower eyelid bags or festoons are certainly treatable with CO2 laser. You would get some contraction of the skin and the fine crepiness will even out. I fear however that you have festoons secondary to mid facial descent.Treating the festoon issue alone won't treat the cause.In your case I would look to be performing a mid and lower face lift to elevate the facial soft tissues back to the middle third. This would support your under eye soft tissue structure. Only then would I address the festoons. I would do this with a transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty, skin pinch excision and then CO2 fractionated laser.Best of luck!