Lower Eyelid "Skin Pinch"

                  The
lower eyelid “skin pinch” blepharoplasty is a relatively minor surgical
procedure that addresses loose lower eyelid skin. This procedure is performed
when there’s isolated loose skin in the absence of underlying fat deposits. The
procedure avoids the underlying orbicularis muscle and decreases the potential
for damage to the lower eyelid support.

                  Although
this procedure is generally thought to be safe, complications can occur with
any surgical procedure. Patients with dry eyes should approach any type of
blepharoplasty with caution. With that said, this procedure is probably less
likely to cause dry eye syndrome then other types of blepharoplasty.

                  The
choice of blepharoplasty procedure depends on the patient’s unique anatomy and
specific aesthetic goals. Consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon
with experience in this area would be appropriate. 

The lower eyelids are complex structures containing skin, muscle, and connective tissue. A skin pinch is a way to remove only skin from the lower eyelids, without disturbing the muscle or connective tissue layers. This is often paired with removal of the fat bags in the under eye region, which is performed from the inside of the eyelid.

A skin pinch excision is the removal of a small strip of lower eyelid skin from below the subciliary margin.  This is used to remove skin when either a small amount of skin removal  is indicated or in conjunction with a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. The important point of this removal is that the tarsus is untouched thus alleviating problems with the tarsus.