Eyelid Sagging: From Surgery to the Most Effective Treatments

Discover what the market has to offer in the latest treatments to address and even eliminate eyelid sagging. Eyelid sagging is an issue that bothers not only women but also men. In addition to giving a more tired appearance and revealing the age of many, the problem can also interfere with vision when it reaches more advanced stages. The good news is that there are treatments to prevent aging or even slow it down, as well as surgery to remove excess skin in this area. According to plastic surgeon and eyelid specialist at the Vitória Eye Hospital, Luiz Fernando Vieira Gomes, there are several factors that indicate excess skin on the eyelids. A tired appearance, reduced field of vision, and heaviness in the eyes are clear signs of the need for blepharoplasty. "The problem starts to show signs of discomfort with advancing age, approximately from 45 years old, but when there is a genetic predisposition, it can manifest in people as young as 30 to 35 years old. Those who have also experienced significant weight loss may also present excess skin. And the problem can only be corrected with surgery," he said. The doctor stated that the surgery to remove excess skin from the eyelids is complex, as the eyelid is rich in anatomical structures; however, recovery is quick, with discharge on the same day. The procedure lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, performed under local anesthesia and sedation, providing great comfort to the patient. It is important to remember that for the safety of patients, this surgery should be performed in a hospital or clinic with adequate support and the presence of an anesthetist. "In addition to removing excess skin from the eye area, it also removes the fat bags that cause discomfort and give a tired look to patients. To reduce the risk of visible scarring, the incision is made along the folds of the eyelids, right on top of the existing wrinkles," he added. Treatments to Delay the Need for Surgery According to female aesthetics specialist Juliana Aguiar, non-invasive blepharoplasty is a highly modern treatment that has shown excellent results. "The procedure is performed with an ultrasonic pen that retracts the superficial skin tissue, which is the epidermis. It can be done in 3 to 5 sessions, depending on each case. We assess the need based on the evolution of each session and determine whether another session is necessary," she said. There is also a non-invasive lifting procedure that can be done to reduce skin sagging and is suitable for the eyelid area as well. "With the protocol I use, expressions remain, but without expression lines. With the treatment, the body itself takes care of combating the healing process and starts producing new cells. The production of collagen fills in wrinkles and expression lines, while elastin supports the tissue for younger, firmer skin," she explained. With 4 sessions, results are already noticeable, and usually, with 6 sessions, the treatment is considered complete. Each session costs starting from R$ 400.00, depending on the area to be treated. The evaluation is completely free. The equipment is contraindicated for pregnant women and people with pacemakers. Aesthetic pharmacist César de Alencar mentioned that a good option often used is the application of smooth PDO threads. "Ideal for improving skin quality, with a very high collagen production capacity in the area, this type of facial support thread provides safety and reduces the formation of bruises during application, making it great for thin skin areas, such as the upper and lower eyelids," he said. According to César, after the PDO thread insertion procedure, the patient should follow a series of recommendations, such as: Do not rub the face Do not perform rough facial movements Avoid physical exercise Apply ice in the 12 hours following the procedure Do not sleep on your stomach Avoid excessive heat exposure After the procedure, the patient should avoid facial exercises for 48 hours. A few days after the procedure, results are already noticeable.