Q&A – SB Aesthetics

Ask Dr. Sheffield – Will a Filler or Blepharoplasty Fix my Under Eye Bags?

blueicing — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 04:08:46 +0000

Plastic Surgery In Santa Barbara

Dr. Sheffield is a prominent Santa Barbara plastic surgeon who specializes in eyelid surgery and non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Some of our patients have brought forth interesting and detailed questions about upper eyelid surgery, otherwise known as upper blepharoplasty, and eye bags treatment.

:Will a Filler or Blepharoplasty Fix my Under Eye Bags?

I am 33 and just started getting under eye bags 6 months ago for no known reason. I’ve tried everything: vitamins, sleep, allergy meds, creams, water, etc., but nothing worked. I am considering laser, possibly Thermage or just going straight to a dermal filler or Blepharoplasty. What should I do? The pic doesn’t show the puff much, but this is with makeup on. I have the purple crescent coming from corner of inner eye, then above that it is puffy and lighter colored. It is crepe-like when I smile.

: Thank you for your inquiry and for the photo attachment! Although it may seem challenging to suggest a treatment method for your under eye bags based on just one photo, I can still give you ideas to better under fillers and blepharoplasty in improving and removing under eye bags.

Both of these procedures can help out in fixing under eye bags. The results that fillers can give you is temporary and may wear off one year after the treatment. Moreover, fillers do not “remove” the under eye bags, they rather improve them, cover them, or reduce them. All that said, this treatment method is very affordable since it is non-surgical. Regular maintenance may be required for this treatment method since it wears off. Downtime is also short for this treatment method.

On the other hand, blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery is a type of surgery that could remove the under eye bags permanently. It is a pricey procedure since it is surgical in nature and recovery may be longer compared to its non-surgical counterpart. In eyelid blepharoplasty, the surgeon will remove or reposition the excess fat in the eye bags to remove them. Excess skin from the bag might also be removed for a more youthful and rested appearance.

Make sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon in Santa Barbara so that you can get an accurate evaluation based on your under eye bags. Some factors that your doctor will consider will include your desired results as well as under eye bags severity and other problems linked with it like discoloration and hollowness. Based on their evaluation, a treatment plan will be made to remove the bags. Hope this is helpful!

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Interested to know more about Upper Blepharoplasty, Eyelid Lift Surgery or Eye Bags Treatment? Wondering if you are an ideal candidate for these procedures? Schedule your consultation today for your Santa Barbara plastic surgery! Call Dr. Sheffield at our Santa Barbara office (805) 318-3280.

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Ask Dr. Sheffield – Will Eyes by Thermage Help Reduce Puffy, Baggy Eyes?

blueicing — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 23:00:13 +0000

Plastic Surgery In Santa Barbara

:Will Eyes by Thermage Help Reduce Puffy, Baggy Eyes?

I am a 27 year old female and have had puffy eyes for as long as I can remember. I get bad allergies in the spring which I believe to be a lot of the cause. However, I have bags all year long (just worse with allergies). I recently visited a dermatologist who said she did not believe I had “fatty bulges” but more fluid retention and suggested Thermage. I am desperately looking for a procedure other than invasive surgery and I feel that the bags make me look unhappy and old. Is there any proof that Thermage will work for this? Are there any other treatments that will last a long time and be effective?

: That is an interesting question. In my practice, I do not use Thermage for improving eye bags non-surgically. I experienced better results using hyaluronic acid fillers to conceal eye bags. Although the results are temporary, the longevity of the result is still a good deal since it can last for about a year. The result looks natural as well. That said, fillers only work for mild cases of eye bags. I do not use fillers for eye bags, which are large. Other kinds of treatments, possibly surgical in nature, may be needed to accommodate large eye bags. Thermage, on the other hand, works by tightening the skin, but it does not help in removing or improving eye bags.

I would highly recommend that you visit a board certified Santa Barbara plastic surgeon who could evaluate the severity of your eye bags as well as take into account your desired result. Your surgeon should be able to develop an effective treatment plan after a proper evaluation. Best of luck!

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Ask Dr. Sheffield – For Malar Bags – Festoons. What Do You Recommend?

blueicing — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 08:27:45 +0000

Plastic Surgery In Santa Barbara

: For Malar Bags – Festoons. What Do You Recommend?

I see differing opinions about lower bleph for this. How visible are the scars? One doc recommended a lower bleph w/ an extended incision that runs length of lower lids & about a cm along a smile line in outer corner of eye. Also discussed with another, an arcus marginalis release, fat transposition and canthopexy with a separate skin muscle flap? I have also read about laser tx’s. Some say a lower bleph could make problems worse? I’ve already tried fillers.

: Thank you for that question and your detailed post. I understand where the confusion is coming from. Treating malar bag is actually a very challenging procedure, hence, the many possible options given to you by various doctors. The issue with malar bags is that, although direct excision may be used as treatment, the result may only improve the issue and not totally eradicate it. Moreover, it may leave a noticeable scar on the cheek area. The other treatments you mentioned, arcus marginalis release, canthopexy, and transposing of fat is a procedure that leans more to resolve the upper eye bags. It does nothing to the malar bags though. In your case, you may need several surgical treatments to resolve the malar bags as well as the eye bags above it. After the desired result is achieved surgically, you may use non-surgical methods such as fillers to enhance the overall result.

To get a more accurate grasp on this, work only with a board certified plastic surgeon in Santa Barbara. Your surgeon should properly assess your case so he or she could devise a specialized treatment plan for your upper eye bags and your malar bags. Ask questions as well, so everything would be clear to you. Hope this answers your question!

Schedule a Consultation Today

Interested to know more about Upper Blepharoplasty, Eyelid Lift Surgery of Eye Bags Treatment? Wondering if you are an ideal candidate for these procedures? Schedule your consultation today for your Santa Barbara plastic surgery! Call Dr. Sheffield at our Santa Barbara office (805) 318-3280.

The post Ask Dr. Sheffield – For Malar Bags – Festoons. What Do You Recommend? appeared first on SB Aesthetics.

Ask Dr. Sheffield – I have malar bags (festoons) as well as under eye bags. Can this be treated? Is laser or Blepharoplasty best?

blueicing — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 02:04:40 +0000

Plastic Surgery In Santa Barbara

: I have malar bags (festoons) as well as under eye bags. Can this be treated? Is laser or Blepharoplasty best?

: Thank you for your inquiry and for the photos that you included for our reference. Yes, both under eye bags and malar bags can be treated and there are a number of possible treatments for it. Treating under eye bags and malar bags could be done in surgical and non-surgical methods depending on the severity of the bags. If the under eye and malar bags are mild and soft, these may be resolved with fillers. However, this is only temporary and this will not “remove” the under eye bags. Fillers can only improve its noticeability by concealing it. Regular maintenance may be needed to continuously conceal the under eye bags at least one year after the prior treatment. Lasers will not really be helpful in managing under eye bags. If the bags are severe in nature, surgical intervention may be needed. This is where blepharoplasty will come in. Blepharoplasty can remove the bags permanently, although it may be more expensive and has longer down time.

That said, do not skip seeing a board certified plastic surgeon for their detailed assessment and evaluation of your case. Your surgeon will be able to proper treatment plan that will work effectively for your case. Hope this answers your question!

Schedule a Consultation Today

The post Ask Dr. Sheffield – I have malar bags (festoons) as well as under eye bags. Can this be treated? Is laser or Blepharoplasty best? appeared first on SB Aesthetics.