Eyelid lifting is a correction of the eyelids by lifting the drooping eyelids so that the impression of a tired look disappears. This gives a fresh and vital appearance and ensures the functionality of the eye and eyelid. With increasing age, the elasticity of the fine skin on the upper and lower eyelid as well as the eyelid muscle decreases, resulting in a drooping eyelid. Stress, environmental influences, sun exposure as well as nicotine also leave traces and lead not only to thinning and wrinkling of the upper and lower eyelid skin but also to a weakness of the connective tissue around the eye. There are also various diseases that can lead to this appearance, such as myasthenia gravis, diabetes, muscle weakness, Horner syndrome, etc.
Fields of application
Various procedures are available for eyelid correction. Depending on the type of procedure, a distinction is made between invasive and non-invasive methods. Regarding the area of the eye that needs to be treated, the eyelid lift can be performed on the upper or lower eyelid.
On the upper eyelid, excess, wrinkled skin and possibly fatty tissue is removed. In the lower eyelid lift, the sagging eyelid edges and drooping eyelids are corrected, and excess skin and tear sacs are removed. A weakness of the eyelids is also corrected within the scope of the eyelid lift.
Here you can find out how you can take action against your drooping eyelids with household remedies: Drooping eyelids – These home remedies helpLid tightening without a scalpel are mostly used for minor corrections. This includes the use of Botox syringesBotox®, laser and thermal technology. With the help of Botox syringes, the facial muscles are inhibited and the skin is smoothed.
However, the effect lasts a maximum of seven months. Wrinkles around the eyes can be treated well with Botox injections. There is a difference between expression lines and gravitational wrinkles.
In the course of life, expression lines develop through repeated and continuing movements of the face, such as laughing or frowning. Botox injections should be used for this type of dynamic wrinkles. Gravitational wrinkles are hanging corners of the mouth or pronounced nasolabial folds.
In this case hyaluronic acid is injected under the skin as a so-called dermal filler. Hyaluronic acid is an important component of the connective tissue. It is often used as a component of skin creams in cosmetics.
Hyaluronic acid is suitable for filling in skin lines up to larger tissue defects. The effect can last between 6-12 months. Botox and hyaluronic acid are often used together for very pronounced expression lines.
Laser treatments are gentle, cosmetic eyelid tightening procedures, which are performed with the help of a carbon dioxide laser (pulsed CO2 laser) or an erbium laser. The treatment can be performed on the upper eyelids (in case of drooping or drooping eyelids) as well as on the lower eyelids (in case of lacrimal sacs). The damaged skin layer is gently removed, thus eliminating the eyelid wrinkles.
The stimulation of the laser beams produces collagen and elastin, so that in the healing phase the affected skin is rebuilt and a smooth skin layer is created. This method is suitable for: High-frequency radio waves are used in the Theramge procedure. Through controlled heating, penetration depths of up to 5mm and simultaneous cooling of the upper skin layer, the collagen of the deep skin layer is absorbed and the slack skin areas become firmer and smoother.
The procedure is well suited for reducing eye wrinkles, the so-called crow’s feet. Depending on the area of skin to be tightened, it takes between 20 and 120 minutes and is painless. It takes place on an outpatient basis and does not require a long stay.
Should redness occur, the healing of the skin is supported with creams or cooled down. As a rule, the redness will disappear on its own after a short time. Only after six months can a final result be observed with the Thermage procedure, as the actual process of tightening takes time.
However, the duration of the effect is longer.
- Slackness and wrinkles in the area of the upper and lower eyelids, as in the case of drooping eyelids;
- Excess fat pads in the area of the lower eyelids (tear sacs) and upper eyelids;
- Flaccidity of the upper eyelid, which can lead to a restriction of the field of vision.
Blepharoplasty is also performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and takes about 1-2 hours.
Some patients prefer general anesthesia, which is also possible. Surgery may be considered for the treatment of drooping eyelids, pronounced bags under the eyes and low eyebrows.The excess skin and fatty tissue is removed by surgical correction. Occasionally, a strip of the underlying ring muscle can also be removed.
In upper eyelid correction, the excess tissue and skin is removed and an incision is made along the crease of the eyelid. Accordingly, a scar is almost never visible. If eyelid and eyebrow are affected at the same time, the position of the eyebrows can also be corrected.
In some cases it is necessary to separate the muscle cords that are responsible for raising or lowering the eyebrow. A special expertise of the doctor is required. An eyebrow correction can also be performed separately, through an incision in the forehead area or directly on the eyebrow.
This surgical procedure is performed when the eyebrows are pulled down by sagging tissue. A strip of skin can be removed from the upper edge of the eyebrow and the remaining edges are then sutured without tension. In order to avoid scarring when the eyebrows are much too thin, the scar can also be placed in the head hair and a temple lift (pulling up) can be performed at the same time.
Thus the eyebrows are lifted and the lateral laughter lines are reduced. In the lower eyelid correction, the incision is made horizontally relatively close to the eyelashes, whereby excess fat, skin and tissue can be removed. The eyelid muscle is then sutured to the facial bone to prevent further slackening.
The lower eyelid correction also serves to remove the bags under the eyes. Age, alcohol, nicotine, medication and lack of sleep have a great influence on the formation of these. In this case, the incision is made above the nose, thus removing fat and excess tissue.
In some cases, the tissue is also evenly distributed in the lower eyelid. An advantage of the procedure is that a scar-friendly and harmonious overall appearance of the face can be achieved. It is important to discontinue anticoagulants 14 days before each surgical procedure.
Smoking and alcohol consumption should also be restricted. For the first 24 hours after the operation, you should preferably lie in bed with a raised head. In order to prevent swelling and redness, you should be cooled as much as possible.
The stitches and fine strips of plaster that were stuck on the sutures can be removed after 4-6 days. It is recommended to omit cosmetics for the next 7 days and not to apply them directly to the healing wound. After the correction scars are hardly visible, especially on the upper eyelid they are hidden by the opening of the eye.
The scar on the lower eyelid is about 1 mm below the edge of the eyelid and is concealed by the eyelashes. After approx. 8-14 days, the patient is “socially acceptable” again, swellings and bruises have healed and remaining redness can be covered well with make-up.
