Men’s Eyelid Surgery (Male Blepharoplasty)

March 31st, 2017 | Posted in: Eyelid Surgery | Tags: men’s eyelid surgery

Whether it is due to age, genetics, or a variety of different causes eyelids can lose their vitality by gaining excess fat and loose skin. Men’s eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) removes and tightens these facial detractors to revitalize someone’s appearance and in some cases, restore levels of peripheral vision. For men, blepharoplasty has become one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries not only because it restores a youthful appearance, but has made recent strides in creating natural looking results.  While the surgical aspects of blepharoplasty do not differ greatly between the sexes, the male procedure must be performed at a more conservative level. The initial incisions as well as the removal of fat and skin are done with detail-oriented precision to avoid feminizing the eyelids, appearing as natural as possible. The male blepharoplasty procedure mainly consists of both or either an upper and lower eyelid surgery with possible additional treatments such as a brow lift, and cosmetic fillers for a refreshed overall look. The crucial differences from the female blepharoplasty rely on the cosmetic surgeon’s aesthetic as well as technical eye when making incisions, removing fat, skin, tissue, and possible fat repositioning.

Upper Eyelid Surgery

Upper eyelid surgery is primarily for removing excess fat pockets and skin that accumulates over the eye. Many male patients undergoing this procedure want to have the appearance of wider and more alert eyes, however, there is also a need to retain a natural look. The male upper lid blepharoplasty maintains the naturally masculine visage with the initial incision which is generally placed lower on the lid than the female blepharoplasty. This lower placement makes for a more gentle and smooth contouring of the eye versus the female blepharoplasty, which favors a higher arching look. Maintenance and light removal of fat and skin are also practiced more heavily on the upper lid to conserve the male complexion

Lower Eyelid Surgery

A lower lid blepharoplasty removes fat deposits and excess skin that forms on the lower eyelids and is perfect for men that exude a tired appearance from either volume loss (hollowness) or excess fat also known as “bags” that take shape along the tear trough. For male patients undergoing this procedure the transconjunctival blepharoplasty is a preferable type of lower eyelid surgery because it leaves no external scar and better preserves the natural eye shape. The procedure begins with a minimally invasive incision made on the backside of the lower lid to reduce any chance of visible scarring. Like the upper eyelid surgery, the removal of fat deposits, skin, and excess tissue are done conservatively to ensure that the appearance remains masculine.

Additional Procedures for Men

Along with a lower and upper men’s eyelid surgery, patients may need an additional procedure such as a brow lift, laser resurfacing, fillers or chemical peels for an all-around revitalized and youthful appearance.

Brow Lift

A male brow lift procedure, usually in combination with an upper eyelid surgery, alters the male browline less so than the female brow lift. When making the initial consultation, a cosmetic surgeon will consider the shape of the brow itself to determine the height of the lift. Generally, the male brow is more horizontal in shape in comparison to the curved female brow and thus is minimally lifted to keep a more natural appeal. One of the more beneficial brow lifts for men is the endoscopic procedure which is performed with small incisions behind the hairline to retain the position of the hairline and leave no visible scarring.

Repositioning of Fat and Cosmetic Fillers

Before the eyelid procedure a cosmetic surgeon may recommend the addition of fat repositioning, fat grafting, or cosmetic fillers to reduce the hollowing effect under the eyes. Fat repositioning uses localized eyelid fat from excessive pockets to areas where it is deficient, while fat grafting obtains fat from distant areas and transfers it into the eyelid. This transferring of fat requires great preservation or augmentation of eyelid fat for male blepharoplasty. Fat transfer can also be achieved with fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic to improve the appearance of the eyelids. Akin to the natural fat repositioning the injectable fillers are carefully administered to create a smooth transition from the lower eyelid to the upper cheek; this maintains a natural appearance while reducing hollowness.

Laser Resurfacing and Chemical Peels

Additional treatments such as laser resurfacing and chemical peels are the least invasive options to reducing wrinkle lines, tightening skin, and reducing sun damage to the eyelid area. Men and women’s laser resurfacing and chemicals are generally approached in a similar manner. Men may favor these procedures over surgical options because they reduce the chance of altering the lower eyelid shape.

How to Ensure the Best Male Blepharoplasty

The aesthetic and technical aspects of a men’s eyelid surgery are what significantly separate it from the female equivalent and because of this, may be difficult for many surgeons to perform the procedure adequately. Having a surgeon who is familiar with the nuances of male blepharoplasty helps to ensure the best surgical results. Dr. Chiu is one of the top surgeons in his area with extensive experience in facial cosmetic surgery for both men and women. Contact us for a consultation to learn more about the benefits of male blepharoplasty and Dr. Chiu’s expertise in creating a youthful and natural appearance for his patients.