Category: Eyelid Surgery

4 Minute Read: 

Despite the name, facelift surgery does not address issues on the entire face. Instead, a facelift only helps to correct issues (such as tightening and smoothing skin) on the lower two-thirds of the face (from the cheeks to the neck). 

That still leaves the upper one-third of the face untreated. 

To address issues in the upper portion of the face (from above the cheeks to the hairline), either eyelid surgery or a brow lift must be performed. However, many patients do not quite understand the difference between these two procedures. 

While they are not interchangeable, both of these surgical procedures are extremely helpful in revitalizing a patient’s facial aesthetic. 

Below, we will explore these two procedures and discuss how each can help you achieve the facial look and feel you desire. 

What Is Eyelid Surgery, and How Can It Help You?

Eyelid surgery (known as blepharoplasty) is a surgical procedure that helps to correct cosmetic issues within the upper and/or lower eyelids, including wrinkles, excess skin in the eyelids (sometimes to the point of impairing vision), and the presence of bags under the eyes. 

Blepharoplasty is one of the most common and rejuvenating facial procedures available, which is demonstrated by the 325,000 patients who underwent eyelid surgery in 2020. 

One of the reasons for this popularity is the fact that blepharoplasty helps to correct issues around the eyes. And since the eyes “are the windows to the soul,” eyelid surgery can help your soul shine through even more beautifully.

You can choose to have upper blepharoplasty (which corrects issues in the upper eyelids), lower blepharoplasty (to correct issues in the lower eyelids and the area below the eyes), or both. 

• For an upper blepharoplasty, an incision is made in the natural creases of your eyes. Dr. Hung then removes or repositions the muscles in and around the eyelids and then surgically removes any excess and drooping skin. 
• For a lower blepharoplasty, the incision is made just below your lower eyelashes. Then, Dr. Hung repositions or removes any troublesome fat deposits and/or skin. 

Blepharoplasty can give you a more naturally beautiful appearance to your whole face, especially the area around the eyes. 

No longer will you need to worry about puffiness or bags under the eyes that make you look older and more tired than you actually are. Instead, wrinkles (including dreaded crow’s feet) can be smoothed and your eyelid skin tightened to help you see better and look your best.

What Is a Brow Lift, and How Can It Help You?

While eyelid surgery is relegated to the eyelid skin and the area immediately beneath the eyes, a brow lift (also known as a forehead lift) helps to correct issues (such as sagging skin) in the eyebrows and forehead, including creases in the skin, heavy and drooping eyebrows, and the presence of frown lines. 

With this procedure, either local anesthesia or general anesthesia is used. Once the anesthesia has been administered, a small incision is made in the target area. 

Dr. Hung then uses an endoscope (a small tool with a camera at the end of it) to remove or reposition any subcutaneous tissue, including moving the muscle to a more natural position. Lastly, Dr. Hung tightens the forehead skin to give you a more natural appearance. 

After your brow lift, you can look forward to a more youthful appearance. Many men and women in need of a brow lift tend to look angry and tired due to the lines and wrinkles on their forehead. However, you can expect to have a calmer and more settled quality to your entire facial aesthetic after your forehead lift procedure. 

How Can You Get the Most Out of Your Eyelid Surgery and Brow Lift?

While each of these procedures offers stunning and transformative results for your entire face, combining eyelid surgery and a brow lift is the best option for men and women looking for a complete adjustment to their upper face. 

And, for patients who are looking to transform their aging facial appearance, combining these procedures with a facelift can assure a brand new you!

Interested in Learning More? 

If you have questions about eyelid surgery, brow lift surgery, or any of the other procedures we offer in Southern California, please feel free to contact Dr. Hung at 626-432-5032 (Pasadena) or 949-574-8292 (Newport Beach). 

3 Minute Read: 

There is no denying that one of the most frustrating parts of plastic surgery is the resulting scars. People choose cosmetic procedures to improve the way they feel about their physical appearance, so it seems contradictory that in order to do that, lasting marks must be made. Surgical scars are far from ideal, but when they are cared for properly they can fade and become less visible.

Plastic surgeons, like Dr. Hung, do everything they can to hide the incisions during the procedure so that the resulting scars are inconspicuous. Unfortunately, this is not always easy, especially when it comes to facial surgery. Your face is always on display, and since most people do not walk around wearing oversized sunglasses or large floppy hats every day, there is a chance that scarring will be noticeable. Even facelift scars that are initially hidden within the hairline can become visible later if the hairline recedes. It is important to start caring for your incisions as soon as you can to keep scars as minimal as possible.

Let the Incisions Rest

Regardless of whether you underwent a facelift, brow lift, blepharoplasty, or reconstructive nose surgery, there will be external incisions. The best way to start your scar minimization process is to leave them alone. The less trauma they experience, the better. Trauma does not only mean an injury; it can also be any excess movement or tension placed on the incision. During the initial stages of your recovery, you want the incisions to rest. Follow all of Dr. Hung’s post-operative instructions, such as when it is alright to wash your face or shower, and how often you should change your bandages. Proper care in the beginning will put you on the path to minimal scarring down the line.

Hide from the Sun

It can be hard to hide your face from the sun, especially during the summer months. Unfortunately, the sun is not good for a healing incision. Sun exposure on a scar that is not entirely healed can result in darker pigmentation that is more difficult to hide.

Invest in Silicone Strips or Gel

Silicone strips and silicone gel are designed to lessen the appearance of scars. They can be applied to the incision as soon as it is completely healed, usually after two or three weeks. Silicone strips are reusable adhesive bandages that are worn over the incision for the majority of the day. At night, you can remove the strip, wash it, and let it dry in preparation for the following day. Silicone gel is applied in the same way as a lotion or cream. When used correctly, silicone strips and gel can start to reduce the appearance of a scar after two or three months.

Be Patient

All scars look bad initially. They are bright red or pink, are often raised, and they stick out like a sore thumb. The appearance of fresh scars is enough to make some men and women regret their surgery. Fortunately, this state is short-lived. All scarring, no matter how bad it looks right after the procedure, will fade with time, sometimes to the point of disappearing altogether. There is no way to know the length of this process, as everyone heals at a different rate. However, you can take comfort in the fact that bright red scars will not stay that way.

For more information on how to take care of your scars or to start your plastic surgery journey, contact Dr. Hung by calling (626) 432-5032 or by filling out our online contact form.

3 Min Read

Many men and women are interested in restoring a more youthful appearance to their eyes. 

The eyes are one of your most prominent facial features, responsible for your ability to express your emotions. Unfortunately, the eyes are also amongst the first to show the visible signs of age as the skin is thin and receives constant strain throughout the day in the way of blinking and facial expressions. 

Blepharoplasty is performed on the eyelids to reduce the visible signs of aging above and below the eyes.

The Procedure

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty addresses visible signs of aging on the upper eyelid. This can include eyelids that droop down and obstruct the range of vision (which makes everyday activities like driving or reading more difficult) as well as lines and wrinkles around the eyes. 

Upper blepharoplasty is performed either under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. To perform upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Hung will make an incision along the crease of the upper eyelid. By making the incision here, the resulting scar will be invisible when the eyes are open. Pockets of fat in the upper eyelid are either removed or repositioned so that the area will lay flatter. The excess skin that is hooding the eye is trimmed away, and the incision is closed to reveal a smoother and tauter upper eyelid. 

This incision can extend past the crease toward the temple for patients who are hoping to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty addresses the bags and dark circles beneath the eye. The incision for lower blepharoplasty runs just below the lower lash line. Excess pockets of fat are removed to reveal a flatter and smoother eye contour, and skin is trimmed and tightened. Once the incision has healed, patients can cover the scar with makeup; all scars will lose their redness and fade with time.

Transconjunctival blepharoplasty is an alternative approach to this procedure. This technique makes an incision on the inside of the lash line (so that there will be no visible scar), and it is through this incision that the fat pockets are removed. This technique is not appropriate for everyone, however, as it can only remove fat and cannot address other cosmetic issues.

Are You A Candidate?

Candidates for blepharoplasty are healthy adults who are interested in improving the appearance of their upper eyelids, their lower eyelids, or both. There is no age limit for this procedure, and many consider it once their aging has become visible to others or sagging skin obstructs their range of vision. Candidates should be non-smokers in good health. 

What Can You Expect for Your Recovery?

After undergoing blepharoplasty, most patients experience mild to moderate soreness and tightness of the eyes. The skin around the eyes will bruise and swell, and some patients’ eyes are swollen shut for a short period. Patients should rest comfortably for the first day or two with their head upright at all times, even when sleeping. Keeping your head elevated will promote healing by stimulating blood flow and circulation. Most patients can return to normal activities after one week and more strenuous activities after two or three weeks. 

Blepharoplasty will address aesthetic concerns that are present at the time of the procedure. This surgery will not halt the progression of aging, and patients will develop additional lines and wrinkles. However, it is unlikely that the puffiness of the eyes will return, as the pockets of fat are removed. Patients can prolong their results by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen and wearing sunglasses or hats whenever they are outdoors. 

If you are interested in learning more about blepharoplasty, or to set up a consultation, contact Dr. Hung by calling (626) 432-5032 or by filling out our online contact form.

The thin skin around the eyes often causes them to be at the forefront of premature facial aging. And as your eyes are responsible for expressing your emotions, visible aging affects the youthful appearance of your entire face. Aging of the eyes is the result of several factors. The constant movement of the eyelids, caused by blinking and facial expressions, sun damage, and gravity all weaken the tissues around the eyes, which creates the formation of fine lines, heavy upper eyelids, and puffy bags beneath the eyes. Blepharoplasty is performed to counteract these signs of aging by removing excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. It can be performed on patients as young as 40 years of age. This process restores youthfulness while tightening and smoothing the eye region. While blepharoplasty can provide noticeable and substantial results, performing this surgery at different stages of facial aging will give different benefits.

Mild Signs of Aging

Some patients choose to undergo blepharoplasty as soon as they begin to notice the effects of time and sun damage. Patients at this stage are usually in their 40s and want to stop visible aging before it sets in too deeply. Blepharoplasty for mild signs of aging tends to postpone the onset of sagging eyelids and puffy bags.

Moderate Signs of Aging

Patients with moderate signs of eyelid aging often experience skin laxity on the upper and lower eyelids that limit their ability to express their emotions. When laxity is present, patients often look tired, stressed, or angry. Blepharoplasty at this stage reduces the puffy bags and drooping skin so that patients are once again able to control the facial emotions their eyes are expressing.

Severe Signs of Aging

When patients experience severe aging on the eyelids, they also often experience a decrease in their range of vision, which can cause certain activities, such as driving, to be dangerous. For patients with severe signs of aging, excess skin is removed from the upper and lower eyelids, and underlying fat is lifted to allow for a broader range of vision.

 

For more information about blepharoplasty, or to set up a consultation with Dr. Hung, contact us today by calling (626) 432-5032 or by filling out our online contact form.