Although many associate eyelid surgery — known professionally as “blepharoplasty” — with people in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, there are many reasons why people of all ages might consider an eyelid procedure.
Some people have natural under-eye bags, or develop heavy upper eyelids early because of genetics. Others simply aren’t interested in surgery until it begins to impact their day-to-day life, such as when loose skin begins to enter their field of vision.
Given all of this, you may be wondering what age is best to complete eyelid surgery. The simple answer is that there is no singular “best” age for blepharoplasty. Still, there are many considerations that one may need to make when it comes to age and eyelid surgery.
At his Milwaukee, Wisconsin practice, Dr. Mark Bosbous has helped countless people achieve the look of their dreams through eyelid surgery — and heard many questions about age and eyelid surgery along the way. Here’s what you should know about age and blepharoplasty.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Before getting into the specifics about eyelid surgery, it’s important to explain what exactly the surgery is — and what it can and cannot accomplish.
To summarize, blepharoplasty reshapes the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. This is done by removing or repositioning excess skin and fat, as well as adjusting supporting tissues.
Depending on a patient’s needs, one may require upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both. Upper eyelid surgery commonly addresses the skin that folds over the natural eyelid crease, creating a heavy appearance and potentially obstructing one’s vision, while lower eyelid surgery is more often used for under-eye bags, bulging fat, and loose or wrinkled skin.
While blepharoplasty can fix many issues with the appearance and behavior of the eyes, it may not be the right procedure for everyone. For example, if you find your eyebrows are sagging, the answer may be a brow lift or a combination of the two procedures.
Eyelid Surgery in Your 20s and 30s
There are many reasons why someone in their 20s and 30s may pursue eyelid surgery. For example, some people’s genetics give them natural fat pockets under their eyes. This can make them look tired, even if they’ve had a full night’s rest.
Alternatively, some are simply unhappy with how their eyelids look and behave. Some people have naturally hooded eyelids that cover their vision, while others may simply want a more defined eyelid crease.
Age is, generally speaking, not an issue in cases like these. Instead, the primary factor that a surgeon will consider is whether surgery is the best option and if the patient will respond well to a procedure.
Eyelid Surgery in Your 40s and 50s
This is around the age when many begin considering eyelid surgery. Over time, eyelid skin, like all skin, gradually loses elasticity. At the same time, supporting tissues weaken and fat may become more prominent.
For many, this is a great time to seek blepharoplasty. Healthy skin can be repositioned to fix issues with the eyelids, giving the patient a healthier, more rested, and more youthful appearance without making changes to the person’s fundamental features.
Depending on the extent of the patient’s concerns, they may wish to pair their eyelid surgery with another procedure, such as a brow lift. However, it’s possible that all of their wishes are resolved through blepharoplasty alone.
Eyelid Surgery in Your 60s and Beyond
Being over 60 does not disqualify one from eyelid surgery. In fact, patients aged 55 to 69 are the majority of patients receiving blepharoplasty, according to recent data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
This, again, shows why someone’s birth date is a poor indicator for how well they will take to eyelid surgery. Medical readiness matters significantly more than someone’s age — and a healthy patient in their 70s may be a better surgical candidate than a younger person with uncontrolled medical issues.
In order to determine your medical readiness, a surgeon will discuss all of your current eye issues, as well as any other issues you may have. This could include dry-eye symptoms, glaucoma, prior eye surgery, or other medical issues such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Conclusion
Chances are that you’re neither too old nor too young for eyelid surgery. For some, the best age for eyelid surgery may be in their late 20s; for others, they may not feel ready for eyelid surgery until they’re in their early 70s.
If you’re curious about eyelid surgery, it’s best not to trouble yourself wondering how your age will play a factor in your surgery’s success. Instead, you should schedule a consultation. From there, a surgeon like Dr. Mark Bosbous will work with you to determine what procedure is right for you and the best way to get it done.