When it’s time to put aside those firming creams and special eyelid treatments that are supposed to take years off your appearance, but don’t, you have a decision to make. Do you stick with the traditional scalpel and suture method of eyelid surgery or opt for the newfangled laser route?
With all the shouting these days about what “newly developed” and “technologically advanced” lasers can do for your skin, you may not realize that medical lasers have been part of the cosmetic surgical landscape for decades. And they’ve also undergone some advancements of their own through the years.
But which is best for you? Are there benefits with the traditional versus the laser method? Does it really matter? These are good questions that only your surgeon can answer for sure, but there are a few reasons why laser eyelid surgery may have an edge over traditional.
Dr. Llaurado is a board-certified plastic surgeon with significant expertise in facial and reconstructive surgery. He’s well-versed in both methods and is happy to share a few insights about eyelid surgery and why he typically prefers the laser over the scalpel.
What is eyelid surgery?
We perform eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to treat a variety of eyelid changes that are most commonly related to aging and weakening of the muscles that support your eyelid region.
During the surgery, we use delicate, precisely placed incisions to remove excess skin, muscle, and fat to make your eyes appear younger and more alert.
To eliminate visible incision lines after you’ve healed, we create the upper eyelid incision in the natural crease of your eyelid. The lower lid incision is made through the conjunctival membrane or inner lining of the eyelid, which hides it completely.
You’re typically under general anesthesia (asleep) for the surgery. Both eyes are addressed during the same procedure. Blepharoplasty rarely requires an overnight hospital stay.
What can eyelid surgery do for me?
Changes we can address with blepharoplasty include:
Loose, sagging skin that disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelidFatty deposits that make your eyelids appear puffyPersistent bags under your eyesDroopy lower lids that sag away from the white portion (sclera) of your eye below the irisFine wrinkles and excess skin of the lower eyelids
Eyelid surgery can also correct decreased vision caused by sagging eyelids that disrupt your visual field and conjunctival irritation caused by lower lids pulling away from the sclera.
What are the benefits of laser eyelid surgery over the traditional method?
It’s important to choose a skilled, board-certified surgeon when undergoing either type of eyelid surgery. Otherwise, both methods can deliver beautiful results that leave your eyes looking refreshed, more alert, and younger.
The main difference between the two procedures is that we use a CO2 laser as our “scalpel” when you opt for laser rather than traditional surgery. The laser is specifically designed for use on soft tissue. It allows us to make precise incisions and results in little bleeding since the laser seals blood vessels as it moves through tissue.
Less bleeding during surgery means you can expect decreased post-surgical bruising, swelling, and discomfort when compared to traditional surgery, which generally leads to a quicker recovery time.
Schedule your appointment today with Dr. Llaurado for more details about eyelid surgery and what it can do for you.