I Don’t Know Why I Look So Sleepy!
- Posted on: Sep 3 2021
I don’t know why I look so sleepy!
This is a very common question that patients ask! Some people, no matter how rested they are, still look tired. My aunt was a classic example. Even after being on a cruise ship without a worry in the world for two weeks, she returned from vacation feeling well-rested but stated that she looked as tired as ever. One of the major reasons so many people appear tired is from bags under their eyes.
Many patients that I have talked to are puzzled as to the cause of these under-eye bags. Most people think that they are due to fatigue or lack of sleep. In actuality, these lower eyelid bags are composed of fat. Everyone has a layer of fat around the eyeballs that keeps the eyes safe and cushioned within the orbit. As time and gravity take effect on the delicate structures of the eyelid, the thin septum that holds this orbital fat in place can weaken and cause a mild herniation of the orbital fat that then appears as protruding lower lid fat pads, or bags. Depending on each person’s facial anatomy, this can present as an area of recessed skin in the tear trough area or bags that protrude from the lower eyelids. There can also be excessive skin around the lower lids that adds to the tired appearance.
There are many proposed treatments for these lower eyelid bags including lasers, fillers and fat emulsifying injections, but my absolute favorite treatment is a lower lid blepharoplasty. In my Oculo-Facial Plastic Surgery fellowship, I learned five different techniques for lower lid blepharoplasty, and when to use each technique for the optimal outcome of the patient’s facial anatomy. During the lower lid blepharoplasty, I carefully remove and sculpt the lower eyelid fat pads and sometimes even rearrange the fat so that the lids appear natural and rested and not baggy. If patients have extra skin of the lower eyelid, I usually recommend a skin pinch or even a TCA (Trichloroacetic acid) skin peel.
So, if you have been noticing extra skin under the lower eyelids, or bags that won’t go away, come in to see the eyelid experts for your complimentary consultation.
Posted in: V-Eye-P