[H1] Eye Bag Removal – Aesthetic Procedure Or Plastic Surgery?
The Korean term ‘aegyo sal’ literally means ‘charming fat’ and denotes the minor fat deposits in the under-eye area. These deposits are naturally found in children. It is the presence of this ‘aegyo sal’ that gives a person a youthful look.
However, eye bags are a condition in which extra mass under your eyes is formed that stretches downwards. In this condition, the puffiness around the eyes is accompanied by dark circles. The dark circles appear as hollows or lines across the tear troughs together with discolorations that make the skin surrounding the eyes look darker.
[H2] CAUSES OF EYE BAGS
Eye bags occur as a result of several reasons. These include
Fat from the area above the eyes moves down to the under-eye area.
The buildup of extra fluid under the eyes
Collagen depletion in the under-eye region
Muscle weakness underneath the eyes
Process of aging, which causes wrinkling of the delicate skin beneath the eyes
Most often, eye bags form a cosmetic issue that is not related to any pre-existing health concern. The aging process is an unavoidable predominant cause of eye bags. However, a lot of people are susceptible to eye bags because of their genetic predisposition. Just like family members have similar features in their face and body likewise, eye bags can also run in families.
Eye bag formation is quite common, and it obscures your aesthetics. It serves as a significant cause of concern for most people, making you appear tired and much older. Nonetheless, the good news is that medical treatment options are available that you can avail to get yourself rid of this condition, both surgically and non-surgically.
In this article, you will find a detailed review of the eye bag plastic surgery options and the non-surgical alternatives. But first, let’s see what the types of eye bag conditions are.
[H2] TYPES OF EYE BAG CONDITIONS
There are a few types of eye bags. The recommended treatment options for eye bags can vary as per the patient’s condition. Your doctor will analyze these characteristics when assessing your condition.
[H3] 1. Bulge
Bulging eyebags are the protrusions under your eyes.
[H3] 2. Skin Laxity
The skin’s laxity determines an adjustment to the new contours after fat removal and recovery speed in the under-eye area. If the skin is too lax, it can give you the appearance of wrinkles after the removal of excess fat.
[H3] 3. The sunken or hollow under-eye area
Sometimes, as fat pads migrate downwards or fat loss occurs with age, hollowness under your eyes can make you appear to have multiple eye bags. Additionally, any hollowness in the midface worsens the appearance of eye bags.
[H2] DO I NEED SURGERY IN ALL EYE BAG CONDITIONS?
While surgical treatments offer a longer-lasting and effective solution to eye bags, mild to moderate conditions can also be catered to with non-surgical alternatives.
[H2] Surgical eye bag removal procedures
Surgical procedures for eye bag removal are also referred to as blepharoplasty. These can include the following.
[H3] i. Incisional Eye Bag Removal
Moderate to severe eye bags need incisional surgery. This procedure uses an incision along the lower eyelid crease to remove excess fat and skin. It produces a skin tightening effect as well as lightens dark circles. The procedure takes about one and a half to two hours and is associated with a recovery time of 10 to 14 days.
[H3] ii. Incisional Eye Bag Removal With Fat Repositioning
This procedure is also used for moderate to severe eye bag conditions. It produces similar results as incisional eye bag removal. It offers an added skin lifting effect in the periocular area because of repositioning of fat to a higher and more esthetically pleasing position. Its recovery period is 10 to 14 days,
[H3] iii. Transconjunctival eye bag removal
Transconjunctival eye bag removal is used for moderate eye bag cases. In this procedure, the orbital fat is repositioned or re-sectioned for the adjustment of the fat pads. This is done under light sedation by making an incision on the inner surface of the lower eyelid. It produces addresses sagging lower eyelids and under-eye bags. It eliminates excess fat and tightens the skin over the target area. It needs about an hour to complete with a recovery time of 7 to 10 days.
[H2] Non-surgical eye bag removal procedures
If you are someone who has mild eye bags and who fears going under the knife, then you should go for non-surgical alternatives for eye bag removal instead of plastic surgery. These procedures include the following.
[H3] i. Scarless eye bag removal
Scarless eye bag removal treatment makes use of Nano Optic Fiber Laser. In this procedure, a needle-sized prick is used to reach the fat tissue layer under the skin through which a laser is run via a device.
The benefits of this method include:
The precision of laser delivery. The laser optic fiber is tiny, thus allowing defined distribution of laser energy only to the specific target areas. This is good for delicate regions, including the lower eyelids.
Causes less tissue injury. Because nano optic fibers allow well-controlled laser energy transmission, excessive heat trauma and skin damage can be prevented. Less trauma also decreases the downtime after the procedure.
Fast Recovery. There are no incisions involved in scarless eye bag removal treatment. Hence, the recovery period is short and quick, with just a needle prick.
Right laser wavelength. The wavelength of the laser device causes the melting of fat along with its simultaneous skin tightening effect. The melted fat is then broken and digested by the body’s natural drainage mechanism.
Original eye shape is retained. Surgical removal of excess skin is not needed. Thus the eyes’ shape is not altered.
You can consider going for Scarless Eye Bag Removal Surgery if you:
Fear surgery and cuts
Cannot take several days to a week off work
Are suffering from other health issues that don’t allow surgery
[H3] ii. Dermal Filler Treatment
Dermal filler treatment is a method through which the appearance of eye bags can be concealed, and dark circles can be diminished to smooth out hollowness with the help of hyaluronic acid dermal filler injections.
Injecting the dermal filler in the under-eye area helps keep your skin hydrated and stretched to decrease wrinkles. The dermal filler treatment results are not permanent and can last from 9 to 12 months, after which re-treatment may be necessary.
[H2] COST OF EYE BAG REMOVAL AT DREAM PLASTIC SURGERY
The cost of eye bag removal can vary from one person to another. It differs depending upon several factors, including the type of procedure used and the severity of your condition. The quality of the cosmetic center and the expertise of the plastic surgeon also matters. As for the surgical procedures, in simple cases that only need light sedation, the total price of the treatment can range between $5500 to $6500. For complex procedures, the price can go up to $9500, excluding the anesthesia and operations facility’s cost.
In essence, the cost can be broken down into the following categories:
Procedural fee
Cost of anesthesia and anesthetist
Operating facilities fee
Cost of surgical consumables and equipment
Stitch removal requirement
Medications
[H2] WHICH PROCEDURE WOULD BEST SUIT YOUR NEEDS; Surgical or Non-surgical?
Classifying eye bag removal procedures into esthetic treatment or much-needed plastic surgeries can be controversial. While some people develop eye bags due to an underlying health condition, it can be argued that eye bag removal procedures are predominantly meant for cosmetic improvement. However, its advocates opine that the outcomes of surgical and non-surgical eye bag removal procedures are largely ornamental. Their overall impact has a far greater purpose – to improve an individual’s confidence and psychological state. This is argued to bear wide-ranging and long-lasting effects on a person’s life.
However, no perception can be labeled right or wrong. It all depends on how you observe things. As far as the type of treatment is concerned, no therapy can be categorized as better than the other; all of them affect different individuals differently and have their own sets of pros and cons. What’s important is that you work out your doctor as to which treatment would best suit you.
The choice of treatment largely depends upon your case’s severity and your purpose of undergoing the procedure. For instance, if you want a more natural look and have mild eye bags, you may have to go with eye bag removal without surgery. Whereas, in case of looking for a more permanent solution, eye bag removal plastic surgery would help.
Subsequently, your doctor will keep an eye on all the factors and determine the right procedure for you. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss in detail your expectations and needs. This way, you will be able to make a well-informed decision and reap the most out of your treatment choice.