Blepharoplasty is just a fancy name for eyelid surgery, also known as an eye lift. This procedure helps to reduce bagginess from lower eyelids and remove excess skin from the upper eyelids, says WebMD. While saggy eyelids can get in the way of eyesight in extreme case, it’s mostly performed for cosmetic reasons. As we age, skin everywhere on our body sags, particularly in the facial area. In fact, we show our age in our faces and necks the most. Looking to put your best face forward? You may qualify for eyelid surgery.

Time: The Enemy

Skin loses its elasticity as it ages — a totally natural occurrence that happens to everyone at some point in life. Just like other areas of the body, such as the stomach, the skin loses its ability to bounce back as time goes on, or as we put our bodies through stress such as pregnancy or extreme weight loss, for example. In addition, gravity takes its toll, causing skin to sag on the upper and lower eyelids. This leads to more wrinkles and bulges, which can lead to partial vision impairment. This is a safety factor, particularly in older people who are still driving or working. As if that all weren’t enough, the thin membrane of fat that provides a cushion for your eyeball can weaken as you age, causing fat to bulge outward at the lids.

What An Eye Lift Will Do

An eye lift will tighten up the area immediately above and below your eye. Excess skin is removed to improve overall aesthetics and vision, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

What An Eye Lift Won’t Do

If you suffer from crow’s feet, facial wrinkles, or dark circles under the eyes, don’t look to eyelid surgery to cure you from those ailments. You can, however, undergo laser resurfacing, filler injections or even forehead lifts to complement your eyelid surgery. These procedures are often used in conjunction with blepharoplasty in order to provide the total package of cosmetic surgery to the entire face.

Are You A Good Candidate?

You should generally be in good overall health with realistic expectations of the procedure in order to qualify. The typical patient is over the age of 35, but some people who have baggy eyelids that run in the family choose to have the procedure done sooner than that. Keep in mind this procedure is not going to alter your facial structure in any way, so it’s important to discuss with your doctor the realistic outcomes you can expect. Dr. Mariam Awada, MD FACS, of Michigan Cosmetic Surgery has many years of experience performing eyelid surgery and would be happy to sit down with you to discuss the risks and rewards of this procedure. See for yourself some amazing before and after eyelid surgery photos.