CO2 laser for crinkly upper eyelids? (Photo)

Question

I have some crinkly skin on the outer corners of my upper eyelids. I really don't want to cut it all off, especially the area in the middle of the upper eye-lid. I literally only want the appearance of airbrushing that small piece of crinkly skin. I like the over-all hooding on my eye, as I feel this looks natural. Would an extremely conservative upper eyelid surgery or a CO2 laser best address this small outer corner area?

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hello Lessismore.  This is one of the few questions we've seen where surgery and laser resurfacing may be used to achieve the same goal.  Although our preference is for an Erbium resurfacing (see photo at link below) rather than CO2, either one can provide the desired result when done correctly.  We would not suggest fractional resurfacing but full field.  1 Treatment should do the trick - again if done correctly.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

this needs weekly dermarolling and peeels at home (aerify). but in office co2 laser and plasma pen.  thermage yearly.  otherwise you need an upper blepharoplasty.

at home peels like cosmelan, enlighten and aerify along with dermarolling (emerageskin roller with anteage MD ampules) should be started now.

There are many things you can do to treat under eye hollows and dark circles. A surgical option to remove skin and/or fat will such as lower eyelid blepharoplasty with or without fat pad repositioning will be the best long term.  There are many things you can do to treat under eye hollows and dark circles without surgery.  Non invasive less downtime options such as fillers, lasers, microneedling/PRP, cosmelan peels, and microneedling RF like Fractora or morpheus can all help give some improvement. Accutite can often be used or stronger lasers like erbium or co2 spot treatment can tighten the skin and give very quick improvement in wrinkles and texture.  I suggest you get a formal consultation to see what is best for you and your goals.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

If you didn't want to have surgery to address the crinkly skin of your upper eyelids, I think that a CO2 laser treatment could provide some improvement.

Shobhan Manoharan, MBBS, FACD · Answer

When it comes to hooding that you have, surgery or low level skin tightening energy based devices such as thermage or high frequency focused ultra sound are really the best answers however you have expressed that the hooding does not concern you and it is really the wrinkles and textural change that seems to be more of an issue.

For this certainly a series of fractional CO2 laser treatments or a heavier fully ablative upper lid resurfacing with CO2 or Erbium YAG laser may yield very good outcomes.

This needs to be performed in very experienced hands with the right devices due to the sensitive nature of the skin in this area. Recovery time can range from 3 days to 2 weeks based on the intensity of treatment.

Kind regards 
Dr Shobhan Manoharan

Amy Y. Paul, DO, FAAD · Answer

Thanks for your question and photo.  Yes, CO2 laser would probably help tighten that up somewhat, but you can't get too close to the eyes unless you have internal eye shields (like thick contacts placed on the eyes when they are numbed with drops).  I would have an oculoplastic surgeon do a procedure like that, and only someone very experienced with lasers.  Another less risky procedure that can yield nice tightening around the eyes is RF Microneedling, like the Legend Pro.  Your laser specialist, dermatologist, or aesthetician trained in the procedure can get quite close to the eye with no shields needed, since it is more of a deep heating procedure and collagen stimulation without the risk of light energy damaging the eyes.  You would want to do a series of treatments, but can get really nice results from RF Microneedling.  Please see an expert, and best of luck!

CO2 laser for crinkly upper eyelids? (Photo)

Answers (5)

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