Posting selfies on social media began an era of younger people seeking cosmetic treatments, and it appears that Zoom meetings and mandatory mask-wearing have accelerated the trend, especially when it comes to areas around the eyes. Eyelid surgery—once thought to be reserved for middle-aged patients—is now much more common among younger patients at my plastic surgery practice in Orlando and around the nation.
Some have labeled the increased interest in cosmetic surgery and aesthetic treatments the “Zoom boom” because of the time we now spend looking at ourselves during virtual meetings and online socializing. The fact is, though, there have always been reasons for women and men to consider lower and upper eyelid surgery besides age-related changes.
In this blog post, I’ll briefly describe what happens during eyelid surgery and explain 4 situations that prompt younger patients to get upper or lower blepharoplasty.
What Happens During Eyelid Surgery?
Upper eyelid surgery involves making incisions in the lids’ natural creases and then removing fat and excess skin. Scarring after the procedure is virtually imperceptible.
Lower blepharoplasty also removes excess skin or fat from a patient’s lower eyelids but is also used to remove and reposition fat below the eye.
Why Do Younger Patients Get Eyelid Surgery?
These are the primary reasons not related to aging that a person may want eyelid surgery:
- Hooded upper eyelids that are an inherited trait: Just as someone might inherit their mom’s high cheekbones or dad’s prominent chin, it’s also possible that you’re genetically predisposed to having hooded upper eyelids. Many people aren’t bothered by the appearance created by hooded eyelids, but they can create problems if they begin sagging with age. Upper eyelid surgery to give the eyelids a “lifted” appearance is a fairly straightforward procedure.
- Bags under the eyes: “Eyebag removal surgery” is becoming a familiar phrase among younger patients researching blepharoplasty online. Young adults with puffy bags under the eyes are seeking plastic surgery or nonsurgical solutions, such as dermal filler injections, to minimize the appearance of bags under the eyes.
- Lazy eye: What many youths and young adults think of as “lazy eye” is often asymmetrical sagging of an eyelid, also called ptosis. Even though the surgery involves the eyelid, it actually requires more technical skill than blepharoplasty, and you should find a plastic surgeon in the Orlando area who has experience performing this procedure.
- Lack of a crease in the upper lid (Asian eyelid surgery): Many people of Asian descent who are born without an upper eyelid crease choose to undergo a procedure often called double eyelid surgery. This procedure adjusts the eyelids’ anatomy to create a natural-appearing crease. Also, any extra fat or puffiness is removed to improve the definition of the eyelid crease. The technique used is very similar to performing upper blepharoplasty.
There is less stigma surrounding plastic surgery in general among younger adults and they are, for the most part, comfortable researching their options online and discussing their choices with friends and family.
It’s important to find an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. You can see the potential results of eyelid surgery by browsing our gallery of before-and-after photos.
If you’re looking for an eyelid surgery specialist in Orlando, contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call us directly at (407) 857-6261 to schedule an appointment.
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