By: Asher Carey, MD, FACS

Recent studies confirm that the eyes are the most noticeable facial feature. Everyone agrees that expressive eyes are attractive and are most likely to affect your overall appearance. One cannot avoid looking at the eyes when talking to other people. Bright, expressive eyes have been proven to be the most important feature for determining vigor, youthfulness and sincerity.

Heavy tired eyes generally make one look old. The excessive skin weighs down the eyelids and fat bulges or “bags” underneath the eyes obscure the delicate, natural architecture. Excessively wrinkled skin also detracts from the smooth contours.

Many people have heavy, low eyebrows. As the forehead ages, eyebrows drift downward and contribute to the excessive wrinkled skin that crowds the upper eyelids and extends toward the outside of the eyes. These wrinkles are frequently referred to as “crow’s feet”. The upper eyelid will appear excessively full and, in extreme instances, cause interference with one’s vision. Lower, flatter eyebrows are particularly unattractive in many females due to the loss of an aesthetically pleasing arch.

New methods have been developed to improve the aging eyelid and forehead. These new methods use shorter incisions that allow the rejuvenation to be performed with less bruising, discomfort, and more rapid healing. The aging brow or eyelids or both can be treated at the same time. Moreover, the forehead lifting can sometimes be done through the upper eyelid incision at the same time as the eyelid rejuvenation. This allows repair of two areas with one incision which shortens both the operation and recovery time.

Nonsurgical methods are also available for patients who have less excessive skin. Botox can be used along the outside of the eyes to soften the crow’s feet. Botox actually raises the eyebrows into a more normal arch, which helps to relieve some of the excess skin. Laser resurfacing can smooth and increase the elasticity of the eyelid skin as well. The laser will actually contract the tissue, tightening the skin in a nonsurgical fashion. Chemical peels are still helpful to smooth and tighten the eyelids and can be done quickly with only one office visit.

Extraction of excessive fat underneath the eyelids can be accomplished without any visible incision. The fat can be adjusted or can actually be injected to help soften the depression at the lower eyelid border. More recently, injectable fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm can also be added to this area in patients with minor fat bulges.

Whatever method you chose, each method is individualized for each patient to achieve a natural, youthful and aesthetically pleasing result. Modern treatments of the eyes and forehead offer rapid improvement and better, more natural results than ever before.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact the Carey Cosmetic Surgery Center at 302-678-3443. www.ashercareymd.com

Dr. Asher B. Carey received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his medical degree from Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He completed a residency in general surgery at Tulane University, and a plastic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University. In his spare time, Dr. Carey is a sculptor. He brings his fine eye for graceful shaping to both his profession and his hobby.

Dr. Carey is a native of southern Delaware and has been serving the cosmetic and plastic surgery needs of patients in Dover and Lewes and surrounding communities for more than 20 years.

Double Boarded in both General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Carey works with you to achieve a natural and healthy look. He is an advocate of minimal scar surgery for most procedures including breast enlargement and reduction, tummy tucks, forehead and face lifts and other procedures.

Testimonial:
“Before I decided to have this procedure, which I had thought about for many years, I did tons of research. Dr. Asher Carey came the most highly recommended. During my first consultation he told me what to expect, the seriousness of what I was doing, and made the recommendation of the size that I should be for my slender frame. Would I do it again? Yes, I would. Would I go to Dr. Carey again? Absolutely. My breasts look natural, and I never had one ounce of trouble, not then, and not now, nine years later.” ~P.R., Lewes, DE