Eyelid Lift: An Overview of Existing Techniques

Lifting the eyelids

Eyelid lift is a complex of technical, injection and mechanical manipulations aimed at rejuvenating and modeling the periorbital region (around the eyes). This part of the face is considered a zone of hypersensitivity, so non-surgical aesthetic correction of the eyelids is a difficult task even for a highly qualified specialist with extensive experience. Microsurgical cosmetology and aesthetic medicine today offer several effective methods of eyelid lifting: radiofrequency ablation, bio-strengthening with threads, contour plastic, photo rejuvenation, microdine therapy. You can choose the most appropriate technique only after a visual examination of the problem area, after studying the patient's medical history, his goals and ideas, and what the final outcome should be.

Features of periorbital lifting The region of the eyelids, also called the periorbital zone (which is not the case at all, because the lacrimal apparatus, the palpable fissure, and the conjunctival sac also belong to the periorbital space in addition to the eyelids), are one of the most sensitive areas of the human body. The eyelids are muscular teeth, the back is bounded by conjunctiva and cartilage tissue. They are located around the eye and simultaneously perform several functions: protect the cornea and retina from the negative effects of environmental factors (ultraviolet radiation, dust, etc. ), clean the connective tissue membrane due to constant wetting of the tear fluid. Thin wrinkles around the eyesprevents the sclera of the eye from drying out and the cornea.

The skin around the eyelid is several times thinner than other parts of the face, so it is more prone to age-related and stressful changes that most people notice after 30 years. At this age the body begins the process of natural dehydration, as a result of which epidermal cells lose moisture, the skin loses elasticity, becomes loose and juicy. It is in the periorbital zone that the first signs of aging appear in men and women over the age of 30: hypodynamic folds, mimic wrinkles, wrinkles in the outer corner of the eyes ("crow's feet").

Lifting the eyelids is a difficult task that only a highly qualified doctor should perform with excellent knowledge of topographic anatomy of the eye, as improper actions can not only cause new defects, but also seriously impair the functioning of the organs of vision. The fact is that the eyelids are involved in the formation of corneal eye focus and optical geometry, as well as in the regulation of ocular pressure, so improperly performed plastic surgery and ablation can lead to impaired visual function (in some cases, irreversible).

Who needs an eyelid lift

Removal of the Periorbital Zone does not have a strict medical indication (except for surgical correction, which is often used to treat pathologies that interfere with the normal functioning of the organs of vision) and is usually performed at the patient's request to eliminate aesthetic visible defects. Cosmetologists and plastic surgeons have the following defects in such defects:

  • Strong overlap of the superorbital fold;
  • Excess skin in the infraorbital muscle fold;
  • Fold the outer corners of the eye;
  • periorbital rash (fatty hernias);
  • periorbital edema (sacs);
  • vascular pathologies that cause rosacea and traces of dark circles under the eyes;
  • hypodynamic wrinkles;
  • "blooming feet" (wrinkles in the corners of the eyes);
  • strongly pronounced infraorbital grooves;
  • "Aging eyelid" (dryness and redness of the eyelid skin).

Lifting the eyelids also helps to refresh the appearance and open the skin by correcting bags of overlying and periorbital fat and improving the overall tone.Covering the eyelidsTimely use of various methods of eye rejuvenation helps to solve one of the main tasks of periorbital lifting - to hide age-related skin changes and visual defects characteristic of biological aging of the dermis, to reduce the functional potential of epidermal cells.

Important! Aging and heavy eyelids are quite a serious aesthetic flaw that can ruin even a young and attractive face. In some areas, signs of skin aging may occur up to the age of thirty (for example, in patients with underweight or in people with pathologies of the endocrine system). Typically, cosmetic products are ineffective in correcting existing problems and are only suitable for preventing premature aging, so the only effective method of resolving this defect is periorbital lifting.

Eyelid Lift Surgery

Skin lift surgery on the upper and lower eyelids is called blepharoplasty. It is a type of radical lifting of the periorbital zone, in which the effect of tightening and rejuvenation is achieved by the complete removal of excess skin and oily hernias around the eyelid.Types of blepharoplastyUnlike non-surgical methods of eyelid lift, blepharoplasty allows you to not only correct the defects of skin aging and improve the appearance of this area, but also to correct the shape and form of the eyes, as well as eliminate various pathologies.

Blepharoplasty is effective in serious ophthalmic diseases such as entropy (eyelash rash and on the edge of the eyelid towards the blister) or exophthalmos (movement of the eye socket out of orbit). In total, there are three types of blepharoplasty: upper, lower, and circular.

Table. Types of radical periorbital lifting

Operation type section area What pathologies can be corrected
Supraorbital blepharoplasty A skin incision made along the orbital or tarsal fold of the upper eyelid. Removal of excess skin, subcutaneous fat and muscle plastics.
Suborbital blepharoplasty A subcutaneous or subcutaneous wound is held. Removal of periorbital edema, bags under the eyes, fatty hernias.
Circular Blepharoplasty Simultaneous eyelid surgery on both sides. Solve common problems of all types of blepharoplasty.

Surgery to tighten the periorbital area is performed strictly in a hospital setting, excluding the possibility of an outpatient procedure. The patient is given general anesthesia and the duration of the intervention averages about 3 hours. An important disadvantage of this method of eyelid lifting is the postoperative period, which, although it has a short duration (about two weeks), is characterized by pain, the need for regular dressing and antiseptic treatment, and significant restrictions on regimen and professional activities.

Important! The advantage of surgical blepharoplasty is not only to tighten the skin of the eyelids, but also to perform plastic surgery of the muscle tissue, which is impossible to achieve using the equipment and other minimally invasive methods.

Tightening the anterior lumbar region without surgery

Surgical removal of the eyelids is a very effective method for radical rejuvenation of the eye area, but experts recommend it only for older patients (after 40 years), with pronounced signs of age and age-related skin changes. Before reaching this age, while tissue hydrodynamics are in the normal range, there are many less traumatic ways to correct existing problems, and the effectiveness of most of these techniques can in some cases be compared to the outcome of surgical plastic surgery.

Injector (contour) plastic

Contour plastic surgery is probably the safest method for non-surgical tightening of the eyelid skin, which in terms of its technique is related to mesotherapy procedures. The contour is a subcutaneous injection of special implants called fillers.

These are preparations in the form of a homogeneous and viscous suspension or gel with components that have a high degree of body association. It could be:

  • hyaluronic acid;
  • calcium hydroxyapatite;
  • collagen (a peptide synthesized by fibroblasts and which is one of the main elements of the extracellular substance of the dermis, which provides its elasticity and elasticity);
  • polymers based on acrylic and methacrylic acid;
  • high molecular weight silicon with oxygen;
  • polylactic acid;
  • salts of tripolyphosphoric acid and a. Sh.

The most popular and demanded fillers for periorbital lifting are preparations based on hyaluronic acid. These are biodegradable (absorbent) skin implants that not only compensate for the tissue deficiency in this area, but also help to eliminate wrinkles - one of the main visual signs of facial aging. The advantages of hyaluronic acid filler include high hypoallergenic action and excellent results that can be evaluated immediately after transplantation. Hyaluronate bioresorption occurs within a few weeks, after which the injections must be repeated.

Biosynthetic implants based on polylactic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite retain their properties for 1-2 years.

RF-lifting

Radiofrequency or radiofrequency lifting is a non-surgical removal of the eye area with a high degree of effectiveness.RF removal procedureAmong the techniques of minimally invasive lifting of the skin of the upper and lower eyelids, RF-lifting occupies a leading position, as it allows you to not only achieve an immediate tightening effect, but also significantly improve the skin condition in the periorbital area.

Radio waves, when penetrated to the required depth, warm the epidermal cells to a temperature of collagen density, which is about 60 ° C. Under the influence of thermal energy, the dermatological tissue is heated, a partial retraction of the collagen frame takes place, as a result of which the loose collagen fibers shrink again and take their characteristic spiral shape, which is a lifting effect.

RF-Lifting is suitable for correcting all age-related problems in the eye area (corns, hypodynamic wrinkles, eyelid ptosis, etc. ) and the achieved result lasts up to 1-2 years. To achieve a lasting rejuvenating effect, you should perform about 6-10 procedures at intervals of at least 7-10 days.

Bio-reinforcement with threads (thread lifting)

Flossing is a procedure for rejuvenating the eye area, which is based on the transplantation of special cosmetic threads made of various metals and synthetic materials under the skin, as a result of which a new collagen skeleton is formed in the subcutaneous layers. The procedure is quite effective and allows you to deal with the problem of "aging century", fatty periorbital hernias, the effects of gravitational ptosis and other events characteristic of skin aging.

There are several types of yarn to lift. Precious metal threads are quite in demand in cosmetology. These threads are made of platinum or gold and are designed to strengthen the upper layers of the dermis. Gold threads not only give a visible lifting effect, but also stimulate cellular metabolism, improve the supply of nutrients, oxygen and vitamins to skin cells. Serious disadvantages of precious metal yarns are the high risk of separation and the inability to use many cosmetic procedures, such as photothermolysis after enhancement.

Liquid mesothelioma is mainly used to fight small hypodynamic wrinkles, correct "aging eyelid" and straighten the skin in the periorbital area of ​​the skin. The duration of such a procedure does not exceed 20-30 minutes, but strengthening with liquid threads has many contraindications and is always accompanied by various side effects (swelling, bruising, redness). Experts believe that the most effective type of eyelid lift is Swiss, polylastic and Korean threads. After such strengthening, the result lasts for about 2-3 years.

Fractional photothermolysis

Fractional photothermolysis is another effective method of surgery on the upper and lower eyelids. This is a type of laser rejuvenation in which a fractional laser generator (e. g. , an erbium laser) is used to influence the problem area. The beam generated by this device is scattered in many streams and, when it hits the skin, creates a large number of microthermal healing zones in which the main effect occurs, hence the surroundingFractional photothermolysis procedureFabrics are not heated or damaged.

The distinguishing feature and at the same time the main principle of the action of fractional photothermolysis is the heating of the skin to a temperature of 250-300 ° C, which experts call the evaporation procedure. Old, pathologically altered and destroyed cells are destroyed and evaporated, while natural neocollagenesis is activated and the activity of fibroblasts, which synthesize the main components of the extracellular matrix - peptides (collagen and elastin), is activated.

The fractional laser surface results in noticeable stretching of the eyelid skin, correction of wrinkles and creases, restoration of hydrodynamics of periorbital tissues, and improvement of the general condition of the skin in this area.

Pulse currents (microcurrents)

Microtrained therapy involves low traumatic methods of eyelid lift, but a significant disadvantage of this method is the short duration of the result (not more than 4 months). The clinical result of the use of microtrained therapy for lifting the periorbital zone is due to the following properties of pulsed currents:

  • Normalize lymph flow.The effect of lymphatic drainage, which has impulsive currents on the skin, improves the movement of lymph, prevents its stagnation and promotes the darkening of dark circles under the eyes;
  • Stimulation of metabolic processes.Activation of cellular metabolism has a positive effect on the transport of oxygen and nutrients and the appearance of the skin (the skin becomes smoother, acquires a healthy appearance);
  • Restore muscle tone.The eyelid muscles are quite weak and the extra stimulation allows you to achieve a tightening effect.

The standard duration of the course is 10 to 20 procedures, and in most cases repeating the procedure after a few months becomes necessary.

Photos before and after eyelid contour

Photos before and after

Conclusion

Lifting the eyelids is a difficult but at the same time achievable task, for which modern aesthetic medicine offers a lot of effective methods, including low-trauma manipulations, with a low probability of complications. Which method of periorbital lifting will be most effective and safe is decided individually after talking to the patient, diagnosing the problem area and studying the medical history data.

The use of surgical techniques is mainly indicated for patients with sensitive signs of aging in the eye area, in which the use of gentle techniques is ineffective and is unlikely to produce a stable positive result. Individuals who have the initial manifestations of the "aging century" are better off choosing minimally invasive methods with a low degree of tissue trauma and a short recovery period.