Avoiding Revision Blepharoplasty

The eyelids are a very sensitive part of the body. As such, complications can arise during and after surgery. There are many steps patients can take to avoid the need for a revision blepharoplasty.

During your primary blepharoplasty consultation, make sure your doctor knows what you expect from the surgery – communication will yield good results. Strictly follow the treatment plan given to you. If you don’t take proper care, you won’t see proper results. It’s also very helpful to research your doctor to ensure that they are qualified for and experienced in oculofacial plastic surgery.

Dr. Gregory Lewen specializes in oculofacial surgery. If you are looking for a skilled expert to perform primary blepharoplasty or are interested in a revision blepharoplasty, contact us to schedule an appointment.

Does Latisse change eye color?

Patient Question:  Does Latisse change eye color?  I really want to stop using my false lashes but I am scared to use Latisse!  Is it true that it will turn my light eyes to brown? Thanks!  – S.V.

Thank you for the question. This is a very common question in my practice and one that concerns a large number of people.  I am very happy to address this point.

I would first like to share a little history on Latisse to help ease your mind.  Latisse was actually discovered accidentally!  It is a derivative of a popular glaucoma medication.  Doctors were finding that patients on the glaucoma medication, Bimatoprost, were developing longer, thicker, and darker beautiful eyelashes.  Eventually, great minds started thinking that this would be a fantastic aesthetic treatment for inadequate lashes in patients without glaucoma.  You ask why this is important?  The only reported cases of eye color change have occurred in patients using Bimatoprost drops for glaucoma, and not with Latisse.  Please also understand that Bimatoprost is a glaucoma drop that is typically placed inside the eye, while Latisse is typically placed on an applicator before applying to the eyelid, and is not intended for use inside the eye when used as directed.  Because Latisse is in fact a similar product, it must be disclosed that it has the potential to change your eye color with treatment.  However, in actuality, this side effect would be exceedingly rare, and something that I have never seen in practice.

Another interesting fact:  Latisse is the first and ONLY FDA-approved treatment for inadequate lashes.  When Latisse is used as directed, one drop is placed on an applicator brush, which is then used to apply the product to the eyelid margin (where you would typically place eyeliner).  If used appropriately, the risk of Latisse coming in contact with your eye should extremely small!

Allergan, the manufacturer of Latisse is also very aware of this common concern.  It is very interesting that they have chosen Brooke Shields and Clare Danes, two light-eyed actresses as their spokes models for the product!

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Lewen today, click here!

Dark Circles Under My Eyes!

Patients will often tell me, “I’m so sick of people telling me I look tired all the time.  Yes, I did get enough sleep last night!”  The eyes have long been considered the window to the soul.  As such, its pretty easy to see why the area of the face immediately surrounding the eyes is so important in terms of non-verbal communication.  Think for a minute about how this delicate area of the face can so easily convey such things to others as mood, general health and welfare, stress levels, youthfulness, energy levels and fatigue, vitality, confidence, happiness, and so many other varied emotions.  Having your eyes showing a fatigued appearance can have significant impact on your life, your work, your self-confidence, and your relationships.  Why do dark circle form under the eyes?  There are a number of different reasons that this can occur, and it varies greatly on an individual basis:

Hormones:  Changes in hormone levels that occur normally with such things as pregnancy, menopause, childbirth, breast feeding, birth control, or even normal fluctuations within a woman’s typical monthly cycle can cause changes in the skin related to pigmentation.  Sometimes things get darker.  Sometimes things get lighter.  Sometimes new pigmented spots can form in areas where none existed previously, and the area around the eyes is certainly not immune to this phenomenon.

Allergies: It is not uncommon for someone who has particularly difficult allergy symptoms to develop dark circles under the eyes.  Commonly known as “allergic shiners,” these dark areas are frequently caused by sinus congestion which can slightly affect blood flow by causing pooling of blood in small veins in the area underneath the eyes.  Histamine release also leads to dilated blood vessels and swelling. In addition, it doesn’t help that people with bad allergies typically rub the eyes a whole lot.   These areas can appear purplish and tend not to signify a serious problem (other than the obvious cosmetic one).

Genetics: If you inherit thinner skin under the eyes, smaller blood vessels can tend to show through the skin easier, giving this area a purplish hue.

Medications

Vitamin/Mineral deficiencies: For example, iron deficiency anemia can make the skin look paler, which would allow darker tissue and blood vessels underneath to show more.

Medical Conditions (i.e. liver or kidney problems)

Fatigue/Lack of Sleep: Again, this typically results from dilation of blood vessels in the skin underneath the eyes and subsequent swelling.

Aging: Loss of volume in the face that normally occurs as a part of the aging process causes changes in the contour of certain parts of the face and a hollowing effect in others.  This volume change can create a significant shadowing effect, which can give the appearance of dark circles underneath the eyes.  This effect can be made worse by factors such as sun exposure and smoking, both of which cause loss of collagen and can thin skin even more in this area of the face.

Now what do I do about these dark circles?

Cover up makeup:  This seems like a simple solution, but don’t underestimate the concealing power of a good makeup application!

Cool compresses: Will serve to constrict blood vessels and decrease swelling under the eyes.

Extra pillows (to prop your head up a little) or Extra sleep: When you sleep flat, all the fluid that would normally drain down in your body tends to pool in the face.  Just a little bit of elevation will help gravity work its magic and continue to allow this process to work while you rest.

Diet: Reduced salt intake, adequate fluids, fruits and veggies

Skin care products: Medical grade skin care products are best, especially because they contain concentrated amounts of quality, anti-aging ingredients and do not have the additives of many over-the-counter creams and other beauty products that can cause adverse skin reactions.  A variety of scientifically-proven products and eye creams are available, which contain such active ingredients as antioxidants, peptide and growth factor complexes, botanical lightening agents, and Retinoids.  Through a variety of mechanisms, these products serve to tighten the skin, to constrict blood vessels and decrease puffiness, to promote synthesis of collagen and elastin, to improve skin texture and tone, and to cause the skin to appear more youthful and smooth.

Facial Fillers: Facial fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are used to add volume to specific areas of the face, restoring some of the youthful contour and roundness to areas that typically show more of the effects of the aging process.  This serves to lessen the appearance of dark circles and in many cases can make them go away completely.  The results with facial fillers used appropriately for this purpose can be incredible and can take years off your facial appearance!  Just make sure that you have a well-trained physician doing these injections who is specifically familiar with the anatomy of tissues around the eyes.  The skin in this area of the face is characteristically thinner, and there is not much room for error here.

Surgery:  Lower eyelid surgery (aka Blepharoplasty) is done to smooth out “bags” under the eyes that can lead to the appearance of neighboring dark circles due to shadowing.  Blepharoplasty surgery can also improve the appearance of excess skin lines and wrinkles and is the best option for patients with more advanced changes from aging.  Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty surgery is typically done as an outpatient surgery and can be combined very easily with other procedures such as upper eyelid lifts, brow lifts, and mid-face lifts.

Other treatments: Some of the success of these treatments depends on the specific cause of an individual person’s dark circles.  These treatments include such things as allergy medications, sunscreen and other forms of sun protection, cutting down on smoking and alcoholic beverages, and other similar lifestyle modifications.

Clarisonic! Why do you need one for your skin care regimen?

Clarisonic® utilizes sonic technology which is proven to gently, yet effectively loosen dirt and oil to clear your pores. The Clarisonic® Skin Cleansing Brush uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean, soften, and smooth your skin. In just 60 seconds a day, the Clarisonic® micro-massage action cleans more than twice as effectively as manual cleansing.

In addition to cleaner skin with the Clarisonic®, you’ll notice a reduction in the appearance of pores, improved skin tone and texture, a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improved absorption of serums and moisturizers.

Clarisonic® offers a safe, gentle, and natural way to cleanse your skin without any harsh abrasives or chemicals. The sonic technology is so gentle and effective that it is used and recommended by luxury spas and leading skin care physicians across the United States.

Clarisonic® is leading the sonic revolution to deliver clear, soft, smooth and younger-looking skin. The way you cleanse and care for your skin will never be the same.

Clarisonic® Cleansing Benefits

Dr. Lewen in February 2012 issue of Miami Magazine

Oculo-Facial Plastic Surgeon in Miami, FL

Do I need to wear sunscreen every single day, even if I am in the office all day?

Patient Question: Do I need to wear sunscreen every single day, even if I am in the office all day?

Dr. Lewen’s answer: When living or part-time living in south Florida, we experience daily exposure to the sun’s UV rays, and we must be cautious about protecting our skin.   The two most common forms of UV rays from the sun are UV-A and UV-B rays.  UV-B rays are the ones that contribute to tanning, and commonly cause sunburns.  UV-A rays are slightly more dangerous because they penetrate deeper into the skin, causing wrinkles, sun spots, and other signs of aging.  These are also the form of UV rays that can be more problematic and lead to skin cancers.  UV-A rays can penetrate through glass windows as well (such as in the car), and so anytime there is ambient light in a room, there are UV rays that can potentially cause problems.  The most important thing that every one of us can do to prevent skin cancers, is to apply a broad spectrum (UV-A & UV-B coverage) sunscreen to our faces and other sun-exposed body areas on a daily basis, regardless of whether we are out in the sun specifically, or even if it is a cloudy day.  Daily sunscreen usage also has the added benefit of being the single most important step in any anti-aging skin care regimen.  Medical sunscreens come in many different varieties, and there is a sunscreen appropriate and available for every individual skin type.

Please call my patient coordinator, Morgan, if you have any questions about the best sunscreen for your skin type.  Mention that you read this blog and receive 15% off your sunscreen purchase! 

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