How Long Does Blepharoplasty Lasts?

One of the most common questions is ‘how long does eyelid surgery last after treatment?’  The answer is not black and white. It can vary from patient to patient. Typically, the upper eyelid surgery lasts for up to 10 years, while lower eyelid blepharoplasty can go beyond a decade. However, a number of factors like your age, lifestyle, skin quality, etc., will determine the timeline of the treatment. 

While women make up the majority of those getting cosmetic procedures, in 2023, the blepharoplasty in men increased to 8 per cent, according to the ASPS Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. This shows the growing popularity of an eyelift. Blepharoplasty results in an instant, refreshed appearance by reducing puffiness, bags, and sagging eyelids. Let’s understand everything about how long does Blepharoplasty last.

Blepharoplasty Basics

Also referred to as an eyelid surgery or an eyelift, blepharoplasty is a procedure to tackle a wide range of issues related to the eyes that come with age, genetics, or poor health. The surgical procedure is performed to reduce herniated fat pads to smooth wrinkles and fight drooping eyelids. It addresses a wide range of concerns, commonly including:

• Hooded eyes
• Excess skin or fat in the lower and upper eyelids
• Restricted visibility due to sagging eyes
• A tired eye appearance
• Asymmetric position of the eye
• Tightens supporting muscles
• Improves overall facial harmony

Understanding Blepharoplasty Types and their Lasting Period

The blepharoplasty is known for its lasting results, but it greatly depends on whether you are having a lower or upper eyelid procedure. This is what the two types of Blepharoplasty mean:

1. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty:

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty, the surgery focuses on treating the sagging or drooping upper eyelids. The improvement in the condition can be both temporary or permanent, based on lifestyle factors and ageing.

• Persistency

With upper blepharoplasty, most can enjoy the fresh and lifted eye appearance for 5 years or more. Meanwhile, the maximum time for the upper blepharoplasty can be a lifetime if the patient’s health does not deteriorate along the way. As the surgery aims to tighten muscles and remove extra skin, it does not require a second treatment or a touch-up for at least some years.

• Enhances Vision

One of the most significant benefits of upper eyelid blepharoplasty is that it can improve vision, as most people face sagging lids. By tightening the eyelids, patients can see more clearly, which makes a positive impact on their daily lives.

• Revision Requirement

In some cases, the upper eyelid can begin to droop again after some years. This can be due to a natural ageing process. In that case, the person would have to undergo a second treatment. However, surgeons recommend brow lifts as a more suitable alternative than other upper eyelid surgeries.

2. Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty:

The procedure mainly targets the lower lids to cure under-eye puffiness, wrinkles and eye bags. The excess fat is removed or repositioned to maintain a youthful appearance for years. It is more effective, and the result can even last a lifetime. Here’s a quick breakdown of how long lower blepharoplasty last:

• Eliminates Bags: Lower eye blepharoplasty is a game-changer to remove under-eye bags permanently and address all concerns under your eyes. At Dr Tanov Eye & Aesthetics, we trim away sagging skin and fatty deposits beneath the eye through a small incision below the lashes, giving you a smooth contour and a vibrant, long-lasting appearance.
  
• Longevity: The lower blepharoplasty rarely needs repetition. Many people do not even need any type of second treatment throughout their lives. With Dr Tanov, your under-eye surgery can last a minimum of up to 10 years. Meanwhile, the patients only have to take a treatment duration of 1-3 hours.
  
• Recovery and Scarring: When the hidden incision is used, typically in the transconjunctival or below the lash line, the scarring is often discreet. Plus, it fades away beautifully over time as you enter your next healing stages.

Key Factors that Impact How Long Blepharoplasty Lasts?

Apart from the type of eyelid surgery procedure you get, there are several other factors that influence longevity. Here is what affects your Blepharoplasty results:

1. Ageing

Ageing is a natural phenomenon that can gradually change your skin and underlying tissues. This will ultimately alter how long does Blepharoplasty lasts. With time, the collagen production slows down, or the skin loses its elasticity, becoming more prone to sagging. Plus, the distribution of fat can shift too, leading to the reappearance of hollow areas or puffy eyes. Ageing directly impacts the result of your blepharoplasty surgery.

2. Lifestyle

Something that most people overlook. It remains unnoticed even after getting a treatment done. However, how one maintains their balanced diet can reduce or prolong the results. If you are consuming healthy food, staying optimally hydrated and wearing sunscreen, you might not need another medical attention. Meanwhile, smoking and excessive drinking can significantly harm your skin’s health, slowing down the eyelid results.

3. Genetics

Some concerns do not come with time or age. They have been since birth. The tendency of your drooping eyes or skin elasticity can be genetic. This is what makes some patients more sensitive to recurring eye sagging than others.

4. Post Operative Care

Once you have been treated for Blepharoplasty eyelid surgery, your eye care ritual does not pause. It rather begins, demanding more attention in the healing process. If the proper instructions and guidelines by the surgeon are not followed carefully, it may slow down recovery or even lead to unhealed parts, which would eventually affect how long does eyelid surgery lasts.

5. Surgeon’s Expertise

The surgeon you choose for your surgery can largely impact blepharoplasty results. The doctors with years of practice and a proven track record of success will have a more skilled approach and minimise potential complications that may arise later. The surgeons at Dr Tanov are board-certified and carry decades of expertise. The surgical incisions at our clinic are strategically positioned, and overall treatment is performed with effective techniques to achieve lasting results.

Tips for Prolonging Your Blepharoplasty Results

There are many solutions to make eyelid surgery last longer. All you have to do is take a few precautions and change some life habits. These are tips that will define how long does Blepharoplasty last.

1. Shield the Skin: 

Always apply sunscreen while moving out to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. Use a good moisturiser to keep it hydrated and elastic.

2. Maintain Health Habits: 

A well-maintained, balanced diet, water intake, and regular exercise can do a lot. Eat food rich in antioxidants and vitamins C and E to boost collagen. Healthy skin means faster healing and lower risks.

3. Non-surgical Maintenance: 

While surgical treatments are effective for severe eyelid concerns, the non-surgical option works well for less serious issues. Most importantly, they extend the life of results. Here are some of the best non-surgical maintenance options:

• CO2 Lasers: These laser resurfacing systems are designed to tighten and improve skin texture. Dr Tanov’s CO2 laser blepharoplasty is a fine alternative without incision and lower downtime. It rejuvenates skin around both upper and lower eyelids.
• Dermal Fillers: The treatment to restore lost volume in your tear troughs, reducing hollow shadows.
• Injections: The botulinum toxin injections are another non-surgical process that helps relax the muscles of the wrinkles around the eyes.

Conclusion

Next time, you get curious about how long does Blepharoplasty last, understand the type of surgery you are taking and the factors that can affect it. This guide gives a clear idea. Upper blepharoplasty can, on average, last between 7 and 10 years; lower eyelid surgery results can be even longer, depending on various factors.

Do you feel the need for upper or lower blepharoplasty recently? Enhance and revitalise your eyelids with Dr Tanov Eye & Aesthetics and our team of expert surgeons. We provide long-lasting results for moderate to severe eye sagging. Book a consultation today!

FAQs

1. Does getting a Blepharoplasty hurt?

An eye is a vulnerable organ. Any treatment related to it can come with a lot of fear. However, blepharoplasty is one of the least painful surgical treatments. The incision can cause slight discomfort, but it does not hurt and subsides quickly.

2. What is the ideal age for getting the blepharoplasty surgery?

Blepharoplasty can be done by anyone above 18 years old. It is most suitable for healthy adults aged 30+. The plastic surgeons say that most patients who come for eyelid surgery are 40 and above.

3. What are the side effects and Blepharoplasty recovery time?

While eye surgery is hardly painful, patients may feel some bruising and swelling around the area. Surgeons recommend antibiotic ointments and cold compresses to reduce the effect. Most people can resume their daily routine with ease and confidence within 10-14 days. However, the complete blepharoplasty recovery can take up to a few months.