Best age to perform upper lid blepharoplasty? (Photo)

The right age for a blepharoplasty is a great question. There's certainly no right answer. This week, I have a patient that is in her early thirties with genetically heavy eyelids, and a patient that is in his seventies who has experienced increasing amounts of lid heaviness over the years. The positive changes with blepharoplasty tend to last for a long time (usually 10-15 years), so the right time is basically when you are ready for the change and when you want to experience the benefits. Certainly, as time goes on, you will have more "need" for the procedure. But at the same time, most patients want to make the most of the positive changes during a period in their life when they are young and healthy.Good luck with your decision.-Dr. Asaria

Age is not the determining factor concerning when a blepharoplasty is performed.  The amount of excess skin will determine the need for blepharoplasty.  You do have some excess upper eyelid skin and blepharoplasty would be a nice improvement.

My opinion is that if you have some hooding, the sooner you have a blepharoplasty, the longer you get to enjoy the results. I have performed upper lid blepharoplasties on many 30 something patients, and even have one teenage male that needed the removal of excess upper lid skin. I've also performed them on 80+ year olds. It really doesn't matter what age you are when you have it done.The really good news is that upper blepharoplasties typically last decades, and many patients will never look as bad as they did prior to the procedure.So, what are you waiting for? Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Plastic Surgeon

Blepharoplasty can give excellent results in patients of various ages. At your age, it is not unreasonable to think about pursuing this type of surgery. It is important to have a consultation with an experienced surgeon with proven results.One thing that should be noted is that the surgery, while it will give a fresh and rejuvenated look, will not stop the aging process. After surgery, normal aging will continue to occur. Many years down the road, you may find that you would like to pursue an additional procedure.

Upper blepharoplasty can be performed on patients whose ages vary widely.  More than age, the appropriateness of the procedure is determined on the physical exam and what the patient would like to see, as far as changes go.  I have performed this surgery on patients from their 30's and up with great results.  Best of luck to you!

 The primary goal of upper eyelid surgery is to remove the hooded skin touching the eye lashes. A small amount of fat can also be removed which creates the fullness look on the upper lids as well. The incision is located directly in the upper eyelid crease. Anticipate 10-14 days of bruising and swelling after the surgical procedure. For many examples, please see the link below

Dear Ulitka23,

Thank you for your clinical post and photograph. Your question is an excellent one. What is the best time to pursue a cosmetic
plastic surgery procedure? The answer,
of course, is at any age where the aesthetic concerns are real and the benefits
of the surgery outweigh the risks and are worth the costs.

In general, upper lid and brow anatomy can be quite subjected
to hereditary forces. I’ve been
performing cosmetic facial plastic surgery for over 20 years and the upper lid
and brow is one of the most common areas to be affected early on in ones aging
process. Many patients present in their
early 20’s with a hereditary lowbrow and excess upper lid tissue that they
inherited from their parents. In these
individuals this is less rejuvenation than aesthetic restructuring and creating
a more youthful, less angry look that never actually existed.

Most individuals in my practice who undergo upper lid
blepharoplasty or talar brow repositioning, together with upper lid
blepharoplasty are generally in their mid to late 30’s or early 40’s. Most patients in today’s world appreciate
smaller procedures performed intermittently in different areas of the aging
face as they get older so that they always appear fresh and natural and never
over done. The days of waiting until
your late 50’s and early 60’s and performing brow, lid, cheek, jaw and neck
procedures is less common as in general these number of aesthetic procedures
performed later in life will look more obviously transformed.

Renovating one small room at a time as it appears tired and
worn is usually the more modern and optical approach that women seek. From your clinical photo it does appear that
you have some extra upper lid tissue both skin and fat. The right eye appears a little more droopy
and fuller than the left eye. All this
may be slight animation on smiling as you have more Crow’s Feet on the right
side than the left. It is also important
to remember that the upper and lower lid are like a fraternal twin, a brother
and a sister and if the upper lid looks fresher and more youthful that the
lower lid twin may sometimes look a little older.

Occasionally, it is important to address the lower lid
together with the upper lid, however, in your situation the lower lid looks
reasonable. There may be some slight
volume loss under the lid that may respond to non-surgical treatments at this
time such as lower lid Restylane and Botox.
Generally, a healthy rested look with youthful eyes and eyelids can be a
very invigorating and rejuvenating procedure.
As you inherited this trait and tendency from your parents, you are at
the right age to explore upper lid rejuvenative blepharoplasty surgery.

I was fortunate to be trained in both plastic surgery and
ear, nose, throat, head and neck oncology and facial plastic surgery and I
would definitely seek the consultation of physicians in Toronto with elite
pedigree and a website that is informative with good before and afters and
online ratings that support the quality of the surgeon’s work.

I hope this information has been of some assistance and best
of luck. I’m sure you’ll get an
excellent aesthetic result.

For more information, please review the link below.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

There is no magic time to have upper eyelid cosmetic surgery.  Basically you should consider having it done when it makes sense for you and fits well into your life (cost, time off, upcoming events).