A variety of lasers are used for blepharoplasty and the more common are CO2 and erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet lasers. The CO2 laser is desirable because it can cut tissue and seal blood vessels at the same time, making it the laser of choice for surgeons performing lower lid blepharoplasty. The erbium laser, as well as the CO2 laser, is effective when performing cutaneous resurfacing to treat sun damaged skin, acne scars, and other imperfections. Even though these lasers have an excellent safety record, as with any invasive surgical instrument a risk of complications still exists.

Some of the complications include: the formation of a photosensitive, red rash, skin pigmentation could become darker or lighter, or excessive scarring could result. The more serious complications include severe burns, the lower lid turning outward, damage to the cornea, or ocular perforations. These types of injuries typically result from ablative laser procedures, which are what the CO2 and erbium lasers are used for. Non-ablative laser treatments are less likely to cause these types of complications, but non-ablative procedures are currently insufficient to produce satisfactory laser blepharoplasty results in most cases.

To minimize the risk of complications due to laser eyelid surgery, patients are first screened to ensure the procedure would be appropriate and the risk of complications low. An in depth patient history is a big part of this process. Less invasive and risky treatments may be tried before resorting to laser blepharoplasty. If the less invasive treatments fail, then a conservative approach is used when performing laser eyelid surgery. The proper training of the surgeon is of course of primary importance.

Both men and women make good candidates for this procedure as long as they are not poor surgical risks and their post-operative expectations are realistic. In addition, the surgery can dramatically improve the look of anyone who has a “tired” look about them that is related to heavy eyelids, bags and puffiness. In addition, because of the preciseness of the laser, the effects are generally very subtle, and patients generally do not have an unnatural look to their eyes after surgery.

Laser blepharoplasty is often performed in an outpatient setting or at a “surgi-center,” and the patient is typically given a local anesthetic prior to the procedure. Also, the procedure usually takes approximately thirty to forty-five minutes and then the patient moves on to the recovery room until he or she is stable enough to go home. Post-operative swelling and bruising are generally minimal and patients can generally can go back to work after three days after a lower laser blepharoplasty and after upper eyelid surgery, patients can usually go back to work within seven days of the procedure.

For the patient who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery, the procedure and recovery time is generally uneventful. In addition, the patient generally does not have too many restrictions, however, they should be instructed to not bend over and not not lift any heavy objects until they receive clearance from their physician. In addition, any excessive pain, bleeding, swelling or loss of vision should be reported to the doctor as soon as possible.

Laser eyelid surgeries routinely take about one to three hours to perform, depending on the extent of the procedure, and are quite remarkable in rendering a completely new, youthful appearance. Some of the before and after pictures are simply astonishing.

How It Works

First, tiny, accurate incisions are made in baggy eye areas where sagging skin accumulates and wrinkles up. A huge advantage of laser vs. normal blepharoplasty is the the laser scalpel cauterizes as it cuts away and removes excess fat, muscle, skin, and tissue deposits. Once all these areas are removed, the incisions are sutured up, and the patient is sent into a recovery room with some comfy easy chairs, where patients are given cold compresses to keep swelling down.

Initial recovery time is, on average, several hours. Some patients’ bodies may react differently, and there may be more swelling involved. This is okay, and normal, and quite manageable with pain meds and anti-inflammatory medication, if need be. There is generally very little or no scarring with laser eye surgery.

Longer Term Recovery Time

In the weeks following the surgery, it is imperative that you refrain from doing anything to strain the eyes, such as reading, working on the computer, wearing contact lenses, in addition to anything that may strain the face. Wearing dark sunglasses for at least the first week when going outside is required. Try not to do any bending, lifting, exercising, or even crying, if possible, as well.

In the second week following the procedure, a follow-up visit to the doctor will allow you to get stitches removed. For the next week, plenty of naps and minimal physical activity to reduce eye strain are recommended. After 7 days, most in laser blepharoplasty recovery can return to work and normal life.

Many people wonder whether this type of procedure is safe. When compared with many other eye procedures, including traditional eyelid surgery, laser blepharoplasty has many advantages as far as safety. When considering the safety of any surgery, it is important to evaluate the risk factors, and the recovery time period and the side effects.

This kind of procedure is safer in general because there is no tissue cutting. All of the incisions are made via laser. Because of this, there is no anesthetic needed. The patient will therefore not have to suffer any of the typical side effects of anesthesia.

The surgery is relatively safer also because it requires little down time for the patient and results in much more rapid healing. When compared to traditional eyelid surgery, the advantages of laser blepharoplasty are evident. Traditional eyelid surgery requires cutting of the skin with a surgical knife or a scalpel to get at the tissue or fat underneath the lid. Because of the need to cut the skin, this procedure can cause a large amount of bleeding, which can pose a risk to the patient and can impede the surgeon’s ability to perform the surgery precisely. This type of surgery often causes scarring of the skin, and it requires the patient to recover for a relatively long period. Some of the side effects of the surgery include swelling and bruising around the area operated on, in addition to the area around the nose. Sometimes as a result of the surgery the eyes take on a hollow look, as well.

Laser blepharoplasty uses lasers, which results in minimal bleeding, and is easier for the physician to perform the surgery because of this. There is less of a chance for the surgery to result in scar tissue forming in the eye area. There is the risk for swelling and bruising even with laser eyelid surgery, but the likelihood of this is reduced and if it occurs, it is likely to be less severe.

Laser eyelid surgery can be performed in an outpatient setting. The patient is given a sedative and a local anesthetic. Completion times for the surgery vary, but the general time frame is between one and three hours. The doctor performing the surgery does not use a scalpel to make the incision. Instead, a laser beam is used to create a cut under the eyelid. Extra tissue is removed, along with excess fat and skin. The incision is then closed and prepped for proper healing.

One of the benefits of laser eyelid surgery over traditional surgery is the recovery time. Patients can recover quickly and comfortably at home. Hospital costs are lower, because there is no need for general anesthetic or recovery room fees. Due to the accuracy of the laser incision, there is very little post-operative pain.

Laser eyelid surgery is less risky than surgery that is performed with a knife. There is no direct cutting of the tissue, and bleeding is kept to a minimum. Surgery done with a scalpel can cause more bleeding and may prevent a clean cut. This can create complications during the surgery. Laser surgery is executed more precisely, and blood vessels are cauterized to prevent heavy bleeding. Because of this, the procedure is faster and more efficient.

Traditional surgery can produce a number of unpleasant side effects. Scar tissue can form from the incision, and the eyes may take on a sunken appearance. Since the goal of eyelid surgery is to improve the look of the eyes, this generally may mean having more surgeries to correct the problem. Bruising and swelling are also concerns associated with standard surgery. These side effects can last for weeks, lengthening the recovery time. With laser eyelid surgery, there is very little swelling or bruising. There is no visible scarring, because the incision is done underneath the eyelid.

Laser blepharoplasty is the ideal way to tighten the eyelid skin from the inside. It is a safer and more effective alternative to conventional surgery.

But this isn’t true. Laser eyelid surgery, also known as laser blepharoplasty, can address this issue. Laser eyelid surgery is a procedure that makes the skin of the eyelids look tighter through the elimination of surplus fatty tissue and skin found in this area.

Laser eyelid surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that results in few side effects and rapid recovery time. It is also less time-consuming overall than traditional surgery and does not come with the risks associated with the application of general anesthesia. In the laser blepharoplasty procedure, a physician uses a laser to draw the unwanted tissue out of the under-eye area. Because lasers, rather than knives, do all of the necessary work, there is little risk of bleeding or infections. The patient is able to return home from the surgery on the same day. If you focus on your recuperation and follow the instructions given to you by your physician, you will begin healing quickly. Before long, you will see a positive difference in your appearance, and will be amazed at what one little change can do to your looks and self-confidence.

Now, anyone who does not want to look old and tired doesn’t have to, whether they are men or women. Anyone who wants a fresher, younger-looking face can benefit from laser eyelid surgery. For anyone who is concerned about aging skin, particularly in the eye area, laser blepharoplasty may be for you.

Unlike traditional eyelid surgery, laser eyelid surgery does not cause your eyes to change their shape. In addition, you will not experience a hollow appearance around your eyes as a result of this type of laser eyelid surgery. Some surgeries have very undesirable results. This is not the case with laser blepharoplasty. This surgery can cost around one thousand dollars, which is significantly cheaper than traditional eyelid surgery.

Traditional Eyelid Surgery

Traditional eyelid surgery usually has many different side effects that scare people way from this surgery. A person could experience scarring, anesthesia infections, and other types of infection. Since there has to be an incision made in the eyelid, there may be very visible scarring around the eyes. In addition, some people happen to experience uncomfortable scar tissue. There is major risk a damaged eye. Of course, this depends on the surgeon that performs the surgery. Other risks include lower eyelid drooping and hematoma.

Recovery usually lasts one to two weeks. During this time you will likely experience mild pain, bruising, swelling, and eye irritation. There will be some medication prescribed to help you deal with the pain. In addition, you can use eye drops and bags of ice to help speed up the recovery process.

The end result may change your natural eye shape or leave them looking stretched out. The cost of this surgery is anywhere between two thousand dollars and four thousand dollars. This does not include anesthesia fees and hospital fees. This can possibly end up costing more than the actual surgery itself. You also have to take into account any prescriptions or antibiotics that you have to take.

Although eye surgery can be performed with CO2 lasers, this often needs stitches. It also often requires a longer recovery time. This is why laser eye surgery works so much better. This technique offers a shorter recovery time. In addition, it saves a lot of money.

Since this does not involve cutting, the risk of major bleeding is significantly decreased. In addition, there is little to no swelling and not as much bruising. There are also no extra expenses. When you have regular eye surgery, you normally have to pay extra money for the cost of staying in the emergency room.

The total recovery time for laser eye surgery is around two weeks. However, this can be significantly shortened with the regular use of sunglasses, prescribed eye drops, and ice around a person’s eyes. Since there is no major cutting involved, there is no use of major anesthesia involved. The surgery usually lasts anywhere between two and three hours. When compared to regular eye surgery, there is no doubt that laser eye surgery is significantly better and cheaper.

Laser blepharoplasty involves making a small incision directly below your eyes. After this incision, the laser will start to melt away the fat under your eye that is causing most of the problem. In addition, if you have any loose skin that is causing any major problems, you will have this loose skin tightened. This is done sparingly. The purpose of this procedure is to make you look younger, fresher, and more alive. It is used by both men and women. Years ago when men were not considered to take part in plastic surgery, they suffered through baggy eyes. This is no longer the case. The surgery is available for men and women.

How the Procedure Works

Before the procedure begins, the patient is given a sedative and a local anesthesia. The area underneath the eyes is cleaned and prepared. The doctor will use a strong and precise laser to create a small incision in the prepared area. Excess skin and fat is gently drawn out through that small incision. Once the area is cleared out, the incision is closed and begins to heal immediately. The patient is allowed to go home and begin recuperation from the surgery. You will receive a pair of soothing ice glasses, a special moisturizing cream, and a blepharoplasty syrup that is applied three times per day to help with the smoothing process.

Possible Side Effects

As with any surgical procedure, laser blepharoplasty does include the possibility of some side effects. Most patients don’t experience any problems, especially if they follow the doctor’s instructions during the recuperation period. Some potential side effects include infection, vision impairment, bleeding, and burned skin on the lower eyelids. Before you schedule your procedure your doctor will consult with you to determine whether you are a good candidate for laser blepharoplasty or not. He or she will be able to tell you what kind of side effects you may be prone to.

How Laser Surgery Compares to Traditional Surgery

Laser blepharoplasty is far less invasive and time consuming than traditional eye surgery. The size of the incision is much smaller, which makes recovery time faster and reduces the possibility of infections. Since laser blepharoplasty is performed in the doctor’s office instead of in a traditional operating room, you will save money on the procedure. There are no knives used during laser surgery, which helps reduce the trauma to the skin. Laser surgery is performed without the use of general anesthesia, which means that the patient pays less for treatment and doesn’t need to worry about the possible side effects that can accompany anesthesia.

This procedure is safer and easier to perform than typical surgery options. The doctor can work with the delicate skin under the eyes without actually cutting it with a knife. There are no major incisions to heal and little to no bleeding, bruising, or scarring. This is achieved by using a laser beam rather than a knife to make tiny incision on the inside of the eyelid rather than the outside. Through these tiny incisions, the excess skin and fat are removed. While the doctor is working, the laser is used to seal the blood vessels to prevent bleeding, making it easier for the doctor to see.

Laser blepharoplasty should not be confused with regular blepharoplasty that is commonly used to correct the drooping skin under the eye as well as the hooded look that the upper eyelids can get when they droop over the eye. This procedure is effective but it is also very out dated. It is also much more invasive and involves incisions with a knife. The incision must then be closed with stitches or adhesives that are made to close up skin. Recovery time is rather long with this form of blepharoplasty and scarring can be a factor.

Laser eyelid surgery is simple, less expensive, and the recovery time is minimal. In fact, the patient can get up and go home as soon as the procedure is over.

There are also misconceptions that laser blepharoplasty can get rid of crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes, scowl lines between the eyes, and the hooded upper eyelids discussed above. While laser blepharoplasty works wonders for drooping and wrinkled skin underneath the eyes, different procedures are required to deal with those issues.

Laser blepharoplasty has many benefits and few risks. Most people have no noteworthy side effects or problems after the procedure. Perhaps the biggest benefit is emotional – getting rid of that loose, wrinkled skin under the eyes that can add years to an otherwise young face.