Pro Fractional Laser for Puffy Eyes?

Question

I went for a consult to get Blepharoplasty (lower eyelid surgery) for puffiness under my eyes. The doctor said he does not recommend surgery but recommends pro fractional laser treatments for my eyes and face instead. Does pro fractional laser treatment reduce under eye puffiness?

Vivek Bansal, MD · Answer

Does the doctor offer lower blepharoplasty surgery?  Typically, puffiness under the eyes is from herniated fat pads, and surgery is the only real option.  Laser will help tighten the skin, but the bags are fat.

Michael Orseck, MD · Answer

The Profractional laser can help puffy lower lids if it is due to excess skin.  The profractional laser does not treat puffy lids due to muscular or fatty excess.

Mark Berkowitz, MD · Answer

Profractional Laser, Mixto, Fraxel, Pixel or other Co2 lasers can help tighten or resurface the delicate lower eyelid skin.  without a face to face consultation, it is impossible to state whether this is all that is necessary for you. Laser resurfacing does not remove or contour fat or puffiness.  The puffiness can be improved by a traditional or laser blepharoplasty.
In my practice, I use the Mixto laser to contour the fatty tissue as well as to tighten the skin.  The profractional does NOT change the fat, as it is not an incisional laser.  If you want tightening of the skin without removal of fat, thermage may also be of benefit to you.  Does your doctor even perform eyelid surgery?  If not you may want to get a second opinion. Best of Luck.

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Without being able to see your photograph or examine you in person, it is difficult to make an accurate assessment. In general,  fractionated lasers are effective for  resurfacing the skin lending to skin tightening and removal of rhytids or wrinkles over time.  Puffy eyes or bags are typically attributed to pseudoherniation of fat bags that lie in within your orbit. This requires a surgical procedure for correction, and a laser would impart no improvement on such a condition.

	Regards,

	Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS

Claudio DeLorenzi, MD · Answer

ProFractional laser therapy is good for inducing deep collagen formation and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.  It is usually combined with some form of flat beam laser treatment for the upper layers of the skin.  It does NOT help puffy eyelids, which are generally due to fatty tissue bulges.  These are easily treated with an eyelid operation to redistribute the fatty tissues and sometimes to remove a portion of them.

Pro Fractional Laser for Puffy Eyes?

Answers (8)

Answer: Puffy Eyes

Answer: Puffy Eyes

Answer: ProFractional Laser does NOT help Puffy Eyes!

Answer: ProFractional Laser does NOT help Puffy Eyes!

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Pro Fractional Laser for Puffy Eyes?

Answers (8)

Answer: Puffy Eyes

Answer: Puffy Eyes

Answer: ProFractional Laser does NOT help Puffy Eyes!

Answer: ProFractional Laser does NOT help Puffy Eyes!

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about ProFractional Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.