Blepharoplasty is a procedure that reshapes and tightens the skin around your eyes, commonly known as the eyelids. Blepharoplasty can also be used to remove excess fat from beneath the eyes. Blepharoplasty is often done as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia or mild sedation. The surgery takes about an hour to complete, and most patients go home the same day.
About 10 percent of Caucasian women have sagging skin on their eyelids that causes their eyes to appear smaller than they really are. The procedure involves removing excess skin, repositioning muscles and tightening the surrounding tissue so that it looks smooth with no lines or wrinkles. The recovery time varies depending on how much work was done during surgery, but most people can return back to work within a week or so after having blepharoplasty done.
Read on to learn more about Laser For Blepharoplasty, Laser Treatment For Blemishes Cost AND What to Expect During and After the Procedure
Laser For Blepharoplasty
The CO2 laser is the best suited surgical laser for the blepharoplasty procedure because, both cutting and hemostasis is achieved photo-thermally (radiantly).[1] Below we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about laser blepharoplasty surgery and LightScalpel CO2 lasers. In addition, we provide some video examples of laser blepharoplasty procedures.
What is a laser blepharoplasty?
A laser blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that uses a laser to assist in the correction of deformities or to improve the aesthetics of the periorbital area (the area that surrounds the eyes).[2] In the majority of cases, a laser blepharoplasty is done for cosmetic reasons.[3] However, blepharoplasties are often deemed medically necessary due to visual impairment in patients’ peripheral site. The surgery results are usually very long lasting.[3]
Upper-Eyelid laser surgery
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery is done to reduce the appearance of heavy and sagging upper eyelids. Incision(s) and excision(s) are made with the laser to gain access for removal / repositioning of fatty deposits and excess skin and muscle above the eyes. [3]
Some indications for a laser upper eyelid blepharoplasty include: extra or sagging upper eyelid skin and protruding fatty tissue that result in either reduced peripheral vision or cosmetic concerns affecting the patient.[4]
Lower-Eyelid laser surgery
A lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces the puffiness and bags beneath the eyes. Incision(s) and excision(s) are made with the laser to gain access for removal / repositioning of fatty deposits and excess skin and muscle below the eyes. [3]
Some indications for a laser lower eyelid blepharoplasty include: excess wrinkles, baggy lower eyelids, sunken eyes, and lower eyelid asymmetry.[4]
What are some of the benefits of a CO2 laser blepharoplasty over a traditional blepharoplasty?
Some of the benefits of CO2 laser blepharoplasty include:
- Minimized bleeding – As the laser beam vaporizes tissue, it seals small blood vessels. Reduced bleeding makes laser blepharoplasty surgery faster and easier for the surgeon.[5]
- Reduced risk of scarring – Areas that are touched by the CO2 laser beam heal with less wound contraction and scarring due to the reduced amount of myofibroblasts formed at the surgical site.[6]
- Less swelling and discomfort – The CO2 laser beam seals lymphatics which result in less post-operative swelling and discomfort.[7]
- Faster recovery time – Reduced trauma, minimized bleeding, less pain and swelling lead to faster initial recovery times.[8]
What are some advantages LightScalpel CO2 lasers has over other CO2 lasers?
Some of the advantages that the LightScalpel laser has over other CO2 lasers include:
- Improved maneuverability and ergonomics – Most other CO2 lasers use articulated arms as a delivery system. Articulated arms are a series of jointed metal tubes. LightScalpel’s delivery system uses a flexible fiber. The flexible fiber allows surgeons to freely move and navigate the surgical site with ease.
- Laser handpiece tip to tissue distance – Most articulated arm laser handpieces need to be held 2 to 3 centimeters away from the tissue while in use. LightScalpel laser handpieces only need to be 1 to 3 millimeters away from the target tissue, making laser surgery like using a pen.
- Laser Beam Calibration – LightScalpel offers a proprietary laser beam calibration, so the surgeon is able to always have an accurate measure of the power level coming from the laser system. In contrast articulated arm laser systems do not have the ability to calibrate and overtime the laser beam power will decrease, leading to inaccurate laser power level readings.
Laser blepharoplasty before and after photos
Upper- and Lower-Eyelid Blepharoplasty: BeforeUpper- and Lower-Eyelid Blepharoplasty: AfterUpper-Eyelid Blepharoplasty: BeforeUpper-Eyelid Blepharoplasty: After
What is recovery like after a LightScalpel laser blepharoplasty?
There is less risk of infection, less swelling, reduced risk of scarring, and patients have reported less postoperative pain and better function (in the first 7 days after surgery) than surgeries performed with scalpels.[7]
How much does a laser blepharoplasty cost?
The cost of a laser blepharoplasty can vary based on the extent of the surgery you require. Medical insurance plans rarely cover purely cosmetic blepharoplasty procedures. If you are undergoing a functional blepharoplasty your health insurance plan may cover a major portion of the procedure.[9]
Is a laser blepharoplasty right for me?
Some attributes of a good candidate for laser blepharoplasty surgery include:[3]
- No preexisting life threatening illnesses or medical conditions that can impair post-surgery healing
- A positive outlook with realistic goals in mind for blepharoplasty laser surgery
- Nonsmoking
Ask your doctor if you are a good candidate for laser blepharoplasty surgery.
Where can I find doctors who use LightScalpel CO2 Lasers?
If you are looking for local doctors who use LightScalpel CO2 lasers, visit doctors.lightscalpel.com. On this website, you can search by city or zip-code, and medical specialty.
Laser blepharoplasty surgical videos
Edward M. Zimmerman, MD, the president of the American Board of Laser Surgery, uses his LightScalpel laser to perform upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasties, as well as periocular skin resurfacing after a blepharoplasty procedure.
Freehand Skin Resurfacing After Laser Blepharoplasty
The flexible fiber and lightweight handpiece enables Dr. Zimmerman to perform skin resurfacing freehand.
Laser Treatment For Blemishes Cost
There are various types of lasers used in these procedures
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2017, the average cost of laser skin resurfacing was $1,114-$2,124, which was average $2,071 in 2018. In 2019, the average cost of this procedure was $1,963 for ablatives and $1,201 for non-ablative. The cost varies widely depending on the type of procedure and areas of treatment.
Because laser skin resurfacing surgeries are not life-saving surgeries, there is no insurance coverage provided by the companies, except for the surgeries that are done to remove precancerous growth or modified scars on your skin.
The average cost does not include other related expenses. Therefore, you must consult your plastic surgeon and your insurance company before the procedure about payments. Most health insurance company plans do not provide coverage for cosmetic surgery or its complications. However, most plastic surgeons offer some payment options, so meet your plastic surgeon and determine your final cost.
The cost of laser skin resurfacing will vary based on the expertise, qualification of the plastic surgeon performing the procedure, the type of procedure, the time and effort required for that treatment, and the location of the office.
Generally, laser skin resurfacing procedure costs may include the following:
- Hospital facility cost for surgery
- Anesthesia fees
- Medication prescription
Satisfaction involves more than a fee. Therefore, while choosing a plastic surgeon for this procedure, you must assure the surgeon’s experience and your comfort, which are the most important aspects as much as the cost.
What is skin resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing is a procedure that removes layers of the skin and improves its appearance or treats minor facial flaws such as blemishes or acne scars by using lasers.
There are various types of lasers used in these procedures such as:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): This type of laser is used to treat wrinkles, scars, and warts on your skin.
- Erbium: It is used to remove superficial or moderately deep lines and wrinkles on your face, hands, neck, and chest. It has fewer side effects than CO2 lasers.
- Pulsed-dye laser: These are non-ablative lasers that heat the skin and absorb pigments to reduce redness, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, and enlargement of facial blood vessels, giving rosacea (flushed appearance).
- Fractional laser: It treats only the fraction of the skin in the area by breaking laser energy into thousands of tiny beams. It can be used in ablative or non-ablative procedures. It can be used to treat age-related blemishes.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL): This treatment does not use a laser but uses a broad spectrum of light wavelength to treat pigmentations of the skin.
When should you have laser skin resurfacing?
You can ask for this procedure to a plastic surgeon if you have the following:
- Acne scars
- Age spots
- Crow’s feet (wrinkle at the outer corner of your eye)
- Sagged skin
- Scars
- Signs of sun damage to the skin
- Wrinkles
What are the possible risks of laser skin resurfacing?
Risks include:
- Pain
- Reactivation of herpes sores over lips
- Burning sensation
- Burns
- Itching
- Swelling
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Increased risk of sun damage
- Crusting of your skin
- Pigmentation or discoloration of the skin
- Bumps due to obstruction of the sweat glands
Laser treatment for face
If aging, acne, or too much time in the sun has left your face with blotches, scars, wrinkles, or lines, laser skin resurfacing may help your skin look younger and healthier.
Laser skin resurfacing removes skin layer by layer with precision. The new skin cells that form during healing give the skin a tighter, younger looking surface. The procedure can be done alone or with other cosmetic surgeries on the face.
Preparing for Laser Resurfacing
Start by consulting a plastic surgeon or dermatologist to find out if you’re a good candidate.
Tell your doctor if you get cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth. Laser skin resurfacing can trigger breakouts in people who are at risk.
If you decide to go ahead with laser skin resurfacing, your doctor will ask you to not take any medications or supplements — such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or vitamin E — that can affect clotting for 10 days before surgery.
If you smoke, you should stop for two weeks before and after the procedure. Smoking can prolong healing.
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic medication beforehand to prevent bacterial infections and also an antiviral medication if you are prone to cold sores or fever blisters.
What to Expect During and After the Procedure
Laser resurfacing is done by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. It’s an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll not have to stay overnight.
The doctor may treat wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or forehead individually or treat your entire face. For small areas, the doctor will numb the areas to be treated with a local anesthetic and may also sedate you. You may require general anesthesia if your whole face is being treated.
Treating just parts of the face takes about 30 to 45 minutes. A full-face treatment takes up to two hours.
Following the laser procedure, the doctor will bandage the treated areas. After 24 hours, you will need to clean the treated areas four to five times a day and then apply an ointment such as petroleum jelly to prevent scabs from forming.
Swelling after laser skin resurfacing is normal. Your doctor may prescribe steroids to manage swelling around your eyes. Sleeping on an extra pillow at night can also ease swelling.
You may feel itching or stinging for 12 to 72 hours after the procedure. Five to seven days after laser resurfacing, your skin will become dry and peel.
Depending on the problem that was treated, healing typically takes 10 to 21 days. Once the skin heals, you can wear oil-free makeup to minimize redness, which usually fades in two to three months.
You will also probably notice that your skin is lighter for a while after surgery. It is particularly important that you use a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen, which screens ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A rays, to protect your skin during that time. When selecting a sunscreen, look for one specially formulated for use on the face with a 7% (or higher) zinc oxide content and a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat.Reapply your sunscreen every two hours when you are out, and more often if you are sweating or swimming.
It is also important to keep your new skin well moisturized. If you use Retin A or glycolic acid products, you should be able to start using them again after about six weeks or when the doctor says you can.
Benefits and Risks of Laser Resurfacing
Although skin resurfacing cannot produce perfect skin, it can improve the appearance of your skin. Potential risks of the procedure include:
- Burns or other injuries from the laser’s heat
- Scarring
- Changes in the skin’s pigmentation, including areas of darker or lighter skin
- Reactivating herpes cold sores
- Bacterial infection
Cost of Laser Skin Resurfacing
The average cost for laser skin resurfacing was about $2509 for ablative and $1445 for non-ablative laser skin resurfacing in 2020, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, costs vary widely depending on where the procedure is being done.
Because laser skin resurfacing is considered a cosmetic procedure, most medical insurance companies will not cover it. There may be an exception if you get the procedure to modify scars or remove precancerous growths on your skin.
Talk with your doctor and your insurance company before the procedure about what the costs will be and what, if anything, insurance will pay for. Most doctors offer financing options.