Dr. Angela Sturm, facial Plastic Surgeon, in partnership with Dr.Russ Kridel at Houston’s Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, gave us lot s of great tips this summer on how to deal with the dangers of sun on our skin and preventetive measures to take to not ensure premature aging. She is back with us to discuss a very important facial area for all of us……our EYES, which reveals so much about us. They are, it’s been said forever, “the windows to our souls” and we need to take special care of these precious objects, which along with our lips are the most noticed features on our face!
I think you will find this interesting as she addresses, first, a beauty trend that is popular these days from the catwalks to the street…..thick eyebrows. A great look that becomes the topper for those smokey eyes everyone is loving. She can tell you how to get them if you don’t naturally have them. Also, addressing eyes, in general, Dr. Angela gives you some of the newest options on both non-invasive treatments and more permanent procedures to address that “tired eye” syndrome that none of us like and how in refreshing your eyes, you will brighten your entire face.
Enjoy a little EYE-EDUCATION from Dr. Angela below…..
Want thicker eyebrows?
Are you tired of drawing your eyebrows in or considering eyebrow tattooing? Sometimes eyebrows do not grow the same after years of tweezing or simply with time and trying to achieve a fuller eyebrow may be difficult. Filling in the eyebrows with a pencil or tattooing can help; however, you must have exactly the same aesthetic for your brows as your tattoo artist since it is problematic to change once it is done. The ink that is used for permanent makeup is different from that used in tattoo shops, so can be very difficult, if not impossible at times to remove with laser tattoo removal. Before you consider that, there is a better way!
The most natural eyebrows are made of your own hair, not ink or pencils. Your own hair can be placed individually and artistically to give you the eyebrows that you want. The hairs can be harvested from the back of your head either with a very fine incision or without an incision at all! Neither technique will be noticeable no matter how you wear your hair. If the incision-less technique is used, the hairs are taken individually and placed based on each one’s shape, thickness and color. These are permanent and can be shaped or trimmed just like your existing eyebrow hairs.
What is the best treatment for my eyes ?
Most of us look at other people’s eyes first when we look at their face. This is where we see their emotions, expressions and their perceived energy level. No one wants to be told that we look “tired”, particularly when we are not. Therefore, frequently I hear that people want their eyes to look “refreshed”. With the advancements in noninvasive technologies and anxiety that the word “surgery” provokes, many people are looking for noninvasive treatments to give them their desired look, but want to know what the best option is for them.
Noninvasive treatments
There are a number of treatments out there. Thermage has a treatment specifically for eyes uses radiofrequency to produce collagen and tighten the skin around the eyes. Ulthera similarly stimulates collagen, but is used outside of the orbit, meaning above the brow, on the crowsfeet and under the eye, to tighten the surrounding skin, lift the brow and give a more open appearance to the eye. Both of these make the skin a little red for about a day, but essentially have no down time. They offer a nonsurgical, progressive change over about 3-4 months and last about 12-18 months. Obagi has a new product, Neotensil, that is topical and while it is applied can reduce the appearance of under eye bags. This is temporary, but may be an option for a quick fix before an event.
More permanent options
An upper or lower blepharoplasty (eye lift) removes extra skin and fat to remove the hooding from the upper lids and/or smooth the skin under the eyes. This is a dramatic change that you will notice immediately, even with some swelling. It is also a permanent change and will always look better than if you did not have the procedure. Some people may notice aging related changes for which they may want another procedure in about 10 years, therefore this is about how long it “lasts”.
Most people’s concerns regarding surgery include recovery time, possible pain or discomfort and cost. Eyelid surgery is associated with minimal discomfort. Most patients do not need the pain medications that they are prescribed. The patients feel up to non-strenuous activities in 2-3 days. The down time is dictated more by the patient’s bruising or swelling, which varies from patient to patient. So, many people work from home or an understanding office at about the third day. The majority of bruising resolves in about 7 days, which is also when the sutures come out. So, after about 7-10 days you can resume work and social activities. The cost will vary by surgeon and by the surgical plan that has been tailored for you. Something important to note is that the cost may be similar to that of a noninvasive treatment. Therefore, many people have a more noticeable, longer lasting refreshed change with a small amount of down time and comparable cost with a blepharoplasty (eye lift) compared to a noninvasive treatment.
The options span from a quick subtle change for an event in a few days to a permanent change that can make you look 10 years younger. All of these options may not be available or discussed at places that only offer skin care and noninvasive treatments or that only focus on surgery, so a consultation in a physician’s office with surgical and nonsurgical options can give you the most information and help you make the best decision for you.