2020 has been a challenging year in every sense of the word. Covid-19 invaded every aspect of our daily life’s in ways, most of us could have never imagined. Upcoming beauty trends surely were the least we had to worry about, with many being forced to work remotely and to limit social contacts as well as all sorts of gatherings.
Interestingly however, protective facemasks – covering most of the lower parts of our faces – have put the focus back from the lips to the eye and brow region, thus triggering and accelerating the already existing beauty trend of lifting the eyebrow region with non-surgical approaches. And so, several techniques evolved to address the issue of sagging eyebrows and eyelids and it is the purpose of this article to present and explain those non-surgical eyebrow or eyelid lift techniques in an understandable way.
With that being said, the right treatment option for you depends on your personal needs and available budget. For help to make a final decision, you should reach out to a dermatologist or other cosmetic medical professionals for further customized information.
Option 1: Dermal fillers
Better known as “Fillers”, these injectables are usually utilized to sculp and plump the lip and cheek area and certain facial folds and wrinkles. But specifically formulated fillers can also be used for, temporarily, lifting the eye area.
The Dermal filler treatment is minimal-invasive and doesn’t require downtime in most of the cases. Modern dermal fillers, are usually based on hyaluronic acid, which, given its natural presence in the human skin, is very well tolerated by the human body. Some patients, might still experience mild to moderate side effects, such as swelling and localized redness. Another aspect is the reversibility over time, since hyaluronic acid, will, at one point, be degraded as a natural process of our biological functions. This means, that the eyelift will have to be refreshed or repeated from time to time to maintain the results – and this comes with costs.
Option 2: Botox
Botox is a purified form of botulinum toxin type A, which is a neurotoxin used for several medical and cosmetic indications. The cosmetic effect, comes from the intentional blockage of the movement capability of specific facial muscles, responsible for frown lines and wrinkles. Administered in the right way, it can result in a temporary eye lift.
Compared to dermal fillers, Botox provides quicker results, but, as with fillers, the effects are temporary and mandate touch-ups approximately every 6 months to maintain the result. Typical noteworthy side effects are temporary in nature and can include headaches and a depressed facial expressiveness.
Option 3: Plasma for Non-Surgical Blepharoplasty
The plasma eye-lift utilizes a pen-like device to precisely deliver plasma shots for removing unwanted, sagging skin like puffy eyelids.
This approach is uncomplicated and relatively affordable. It also has just a minimal downtime and the results are long-termed, when compared to the injectables mentioned above. Side effects may include, redness and temporary swelling during the healing period.
Conclusion
Whatever your preference may be, it is advisable to consult with a dermatologist or an aesthetician, because the devil is always in the detail. The methods mentioned above sometimes require additional steps or have to be combined to achieve your desired result.
Authored by Dr. Dominique Laatz MSc. MSc., German Dental & Dermatology Center, Doha, Qatar)