Dear Doctor Seckel, I live in Boston and am scheduled for an eyelid tuck called a blepharoplasty. I read on aol that a new procedure called the transconjunctival blepharoplasty is better. I have also read about arcus marginalis release. Can you tell me the difference. I am confused and don’t want to have the wrong operation. My problem is puffy bags and dark circles under my eyes. I am 38 years old and have good skin. I also hear this operation can be done with a laser, have you heard of a laser blepharoplasty. Everyone tells me I look tired. Please help. Thank you, Rose, Boston, MA
Dear Rose,
Congratulations on being well read and up to date on the latest eyelid rejuvenation techniques in plastic surgery!
The transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty with arcus marginalis release and fat grafting or repositioning is the best new method for removing eyelid bags and dark circles under the eyes. I do this procedure with a laser and in my opinion it is the safest and best way to do the operation.
There are many advantages to the new laser eyelid rejuvenation techniques.
First, with traditional scalpel blepharoplasty an incision is made on the outside of the lower eyelid which cuts through the supporting muscles of the lower eyelid and skin and muscle are removed. The result is that after healing the lower eyelid can turn down and have a “sad eyed look” called “hound dog eyes” or technically an ectropion. If you look at many people who have had the standard blepharoplasty you will see this phenomenon.
The transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty avoids ectropion by placing the incision on the inside of the eyelid through the conjunctiva, the pink portion of the inner eyelid, thus the muscles are not cut, eyelid support stays in tact and there is no visible incision on the outside of the eyelid.
The arcus marginalis release is the only method for removing dark circles under the eyes that works in my opinion. Usually during this maneuver fat is placed beneath the dark circle under the eyes to plump up the skin and remove the shadow which creates the dark circle under the eyes.
The benefits of using the laser for blepharoplasty is that the laser seals the blood vessels as it cuts thus there is much less bleeding during laser blepharoplasty. Since bleeding is the most dreaded complication of blepharoplasty, I feel the laser is a much safer technique.
If you want to read more about this technique follow this link.
For more information on laser blepharoplasty, eyelid rejuvenation and plastic surgery read Save Your Face or contact me.
Thank you,
Boston, Massachusetts