How to rejuvenate your eyes: Plastic surgeon’s expert advice
Modern methods to rejuvenate your face and eyes (photo: Getty Images)
Do you have a tired look even when well-rested? Does makeup fail to hide dark circles under your eyes? These are common signs of aging changes. But there are ways to improve the situation.
Ukrainian plastic surgeon Oleksandr Bebykh commented to RBC-Ukraine about whether it's possible to rejuvenate the eyes and which surgical procedures are best for this purpose.
Possibilities to make the face look younger
According to the expert, eye rejuvenation surgery is usually required after the ages of 35-40, when the upper eyelids or eyebrows begin to sag, wrinkles appear, and dark circles or bags form under the eyes.
However, age is not the main factor in choosing a procedure – the patient’s appearance is.
"Sometimes, very young women come to me for consultations, complaining that they have a permanently stern expression, even when they are in a good mood. They say their friends and colleagues always ask them if something is wrong. But when I gently lift their eyebrows in front of a mirror, their expression immediately opens up, and they say, ‘Oh, that looks much better!’ The surgeon's task is to consider the patient’s individual features and select the procedure that provides the best aesthetic rejuvenating effect," says Oleksandr Bebykh.
Goodbye, frown lines
The simplest procedure for rejuvenating the eyes is a forehead lift, also known as frontoplasty or brow lift.
This is recommended when a patient’s drooping eyebrows and upper eyelids create a tired look, or when deep forehead wrinkles (often called "anger wrinkles") are present.
"There are three types of forehead lifts: classic, endoscopic, and localized brow lifting. The classic approach involves making an incision from ear to ear along the hairline, pulling up the forehead skin, and removing the excess. The endoscopic lift is less invasive and is performed through small incisions within the hairline. The localized brow lift, or brow lift, is the least invasive method, allowing the eyebrows to be lifted and fixed in the desired position. It is performed through small incisions at the hairline or in the temples," explains the plastic surgeon.
He also notes that a brow lift can be done using threads, but this is only a temporary solution. Additionally, tattooed eyebrows can pose a challenge since they are difficult to reposition. In some cases, instead of a forehead lift, the surgeon may opt for blepharoplasty.
Is ‘fox eye’ look still in trend
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures worldwide. In 2023 alone, 1.7 million such procedures were performed. Not only women but also men (about 20% of patients) seek this treatment, and the number continues to grow.
"Blepharoplasty is a great option when a patient has drooping eyelids or wants to remove under-eye bags. We can also change the eye shape to create the ‘fox-eye’ look, which is very popular among Hollywood celebrities," says the expert.
Plastic surgeon Oleksandr Bebykh named the procedures that can rejuvenate the eyes (photo from personal archive)
Types of Blepharoplasty:
- Upper blepharoplasty – removes excess skin on the upper eyelids to eliminate a "heavy look".
- Lower blepharoplasty – removes bags and wrinkles under the eyes.
- Circular blepharoplasty – a comprehensive procedure that corrects both the upper and lower eyelids.
- Transconjunctival blepharoplasty – recommended for younger patients who do not have excess skin.
"This method removes orbital fat through tiny incisions on the inner surface of the lower eyelid. For maximum rejuvenation, blepharoplasty can be combined with lipofilling – transplanting the patient’s fat to other facial areas to enhance contours," explains Bebykh.
Blepharoplasty takes 30 minutes to several hours, depending on complexity. The procedure can be performed using a scalpel or laser. Results last 10-15 years.
"It can last even longer if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Most importantly, patients say that after surgery, they feel younger and even change their lifestyle for the better," adds the surgeon.
First, get some sleep
The main causes of dark circles under the eyes include health issues or an unhealthy lifestyle. Lack of sleep leads to poor blood circulation and swelling, making blood vessels more visible under the thin skin of the eyelids. Dark circles can also appear due to weight loss.
"During consultations, I often find that dark circles are the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Many patients admit they go to bed late or have trouble sleeping due to nighttime air raid sirens. Keep in mind that your body produces the sleep hormone melatonin only between 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM. Other bad habits include smoking, alcohol consumption, and eating late at night. Drinking too much liquid before bed is also not recommended. So, the first step to getting rid of dark circles is sleep and a healthy lifestyle," says the doctor.
Professional treatments may be necessary for patients with genetic factors or naturally thin skin. Skin structure can be improved with hyaluronic acid cocktails, plasma therapy, or mesotherapy, where vitamins are injected into the skin.
"There are also modern treatments specifically designed to combat dark circles under the eyes. In some cases, blepharoplasty may be recommended, but I always advise trying less invasive methods first," concludes Oleksandr Bebykh.
