Alexander Vdovin, plastic surgeon, specialist in circular blepharoplasty - about whether it is possible to avoid surgery for eyelid correction
Since problems in the periorbital zone are caused not only by excess skin, but also by hypertrophy and looseness of the circular muscle of the eye, as well as by the presence of fatty hernias in the upper and lower eyelids, during the operation, emphasis is placed on all three components. Therefore, during the surgical intervention, an excess skin flap is excised, fat hernias are removed and, if necessary, the circular muscle of the eye is sutured. What do hardware techniques for rejuvenating the periorbital zone offer us? For example, using plasma energy to rejuvenate a given area. During the procedure, a direct current stream is applied to the skin - with the help of the apparatus, round dots are burned out at the same distance from each other. Next comes the healing of the skin by scarring, which ultimately should give a significant lifting of the eyelids in the future. What's really going on? There is a slight contraction of the skin flap, however, the skin becomes very dense, rough due to scarring, altered skin areas may form, and hyperpigmentation may occur. The procedure does not affect the deeper layers of the skin, the circular muscle of the eye and gives a short-term effect. The disadvantages also include severe tissue trauma. Another technique that is used to rejuvenate the periorbital zone is radio wave lifting. The effect is provided with the help of a special nozzle equipped with microneedles, through which radio wave energy is transmitted and a controlled heating of soft tissues with the effect of compaction and lifting occurs. What do we get as a result? Slight shrinkage of the skin flap. With a deep impact, the effect of lifting and improving muscle tone. With static exposure, it is possible to reduce the volume of hernias. However, the remains of fat, which in any case will remain after the radio wave lifting, will contribute to the appearance of edema in this area. In addition, radio wave lifting is suitable only for the fixed part of the upper eyelid, it cannot be used on the mobile one, which means that it will not cope with hernias of the upper eyelid. The disadvantage of this procedure is trauma - after the radio wave lifting, hematomas may remain, which will take a long time to pass. Radio wave lifting is a procedure that is done in courses. But, even after completing the required number of courses, the result will not even come close to the classic blepharoplasty. Speaking about hardware methods of rejuvenation, one cannot fail to mention a new product on the cosmetology market - the AccuTite procedure. The AccuTite tip is smaller and suitable for delicate small areas. This nozzle is arranged in the same way as the first two and is suitable for radiofrequency liposuction. It consists of two parts - the first acts on the surface of the skin, carrying out radio wave lifting, the second - immerses in the subcutaneous tissue. A radio wave passes between the parts, which simultaneously contracts the skin flap and the circular muscle of the eye, while eliminating fat. This attachment can act on both the upper and lower eyelids, as well as hernias. In some sense, this procedure can be considered an alternative to surgery. However, even the effect that can be obtained from AccuTite is not comparable to the results that can be obtained after classical blepharoplasty. Hardware techniques, which are positioned as an alternative to surgical intervention, have one or another effectiveness, but the disadvantages that patients have to face are palpable. In addition, rehabilitation after some hardware methods can take as long as after classical blepharoplasty. Therefore, with pronounced age-related and constitutional changes, it is better to give preference to surgical correction of the eyelids. Choose hardware methods if there are contraindications to surgery, the patient's “fear of a scalpel”, or if there are minor signs of aging in the periorbital zone, when actions should be directed more towards prevention than solving the current problem.
