What does Dr. Steinsapir think of the “Madonna Lift?”
For the last few years, the “Madonna Lift” — yes, named for the famed pop star — has received attention for purportedly dramatic results akin to an eyelid lift without the surgery. The procedure itself involves fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, with a goal to tighten the periocular skin in the eyelids and adjacent facial regions. Marketing claims for this procedure promise that it will give the effect of an eyelid lift through use of light columns to treat and tighten the skin. Claims include a diminishing of wrinkles, tightening of the skin, reduction of under eye circles, and elevation of the eyebrows. In essence, we are talking about the full benefits of an eyelid lift but without any surgery at all.
Does the Madonna Lift live up to the hype? Reasonably, the Madonna Lift can make a modest difference in your eyes’ brightness, but individuals undergoing the procedure might feel that it didn’t seem worthwhile. To get real results cosmetic procedure must address the root causes of your concerns. The best and most natural results come from addressing actual issues — which may include excess tissue or tissue deficiencies or both; stretched, sagging, and sun-damaged skin; ptosis; a drooping brow; or other concerns. Short cuts may help but they can also be disappointing because the lack the power to make a real difference.
Dr. Steinsapir is a leading advocate of minimally invasive facial cosmetic procedures, including nonsurgical procedures like under eye Restylane, the chemical peel, and Microdroplet BOTOX when indicated. There are many nonsurgical procedures with minimal downtime that can make a huge difference in your appearance. However, the key to satisfactory results is catering to your unique facial structure and goals, while choosing the best procedure to match your needs (whether surgical or not)–rather than setting your heart on a procedure full of promises but that may not be right for you.
The Madonna Lift is not a substitute for surgery if that is what you actually need. This is just another example of a modest procedure with a catchy name. For real results, we strongly encourage you to seek a personal consultation with a physician who is an eyelid specialist and can advise you on a personalized treatment plan. This may or may not include eyelid surgery, but the key is that your treatment will be based on your needs rather than a promise of a one-size-fits-all cure with a catchy name.
Dr. Steinsapir is an international leader in both eyelid surgery and minimally invasive, nonsurgical facial cosmetic procedures. Much of the appeal of the Madonna Lift is the absence of surgery, and it’s of course understandable that you may be hesitant to consider surgery. Dr. Steinsapir’s philosophy is that all treatments should be both individualized and minimally invasive. What does this mean? If surgery is not indicated, he will not recommend it. And when surgery is indicated to address the cause of your concerns, he opts for a treatment that is conservative and preserves as much of your natural tissue and eyelid contour as possible, enhancing your features, speeding up recovery time, and avoiding the “surgical look” famed by gossip magazines. Many people see phenomenal results from an upper eyelid blepharoplasty and related eyelid surgeries, and many also see incredible improvements from nonsurgical procedures like undereye Restylane and an individualized chemical peel. The bottom line is, you may or may not need surgery to get the results you desire — but for an outcome that meets your needs, you should never limit yourself to one procedure just because it was marketed to you. For the best results, consult with a leading oculoplastic surgeon to determine which treatment plan is right for you.
We invite you to consult with Dr. Steinsapir today, a pioneer in minimally invasive cosmetic facial procedures with particular attention to the eyelid and its balance with the rest of the face. Dr. Steinsapir has proven results for both surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic facial procedures; and his friendly, approachable, and honest demeanor will help you feel comfortable asking questions, receiving answers, and planning for the procedure(s) right for you.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician or surgeon and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
Should I have a forehead lift or upper eyelid surgery?
Overview
Facial cosmetic surgery can do wonders in enhancing your appearance and confidence, giving you a brighter and more youthful appearance. Since a forehead lift and upper eyelid surgery can both lead to an alert and refreshed look around the eyes, you may wonder if either a forehead lift or an eyelid surgery is best for you. There are general indications for each procedure, and other times there may be indication you’ll benefit from both; but in short, the answer can only be determined through a private consultation and examination with your specialized cosmetic surgeon.
Indications
A forehead lift is also known as a browlift or eyebrow lift, and it helps many to achieve more youthful features by smoothing creases, reducing frown lines, and elevating the brow line to its appropriate position. The small incision forehead lift, as practiced by Dr. Steinsapir, has revolutionized the way we approach forehead lifts and the results achieved. A couple decades ago the “open forehead lift” was standard but offered less natural results, often a harsher look, and a lengthy recovery period; whereas today the endoscopic or “small incision” or “closed” forehead lift is regarded as one of the most important cosmetic surgeries.
In some cases, a forehead lift may be performed in combination with upper eyelid surgery, which is also called a “lidlift.” Combination surgery is not just for a more comprehensive improvement. Combination surgery is often performed to optimize the overall cosmetic appearance. This avoids having to push a single approach to the point where the results are less than ideal or natural.
Once upper eyelid surgery is commonly indicated when there is excess fat deposits and loose skin crowding around the eyes, weighing them down and creating a tired or drooping appearance. Now upper eyelid surgery is also used to correct small amounts of eyelid ptosis, strengthen the support for the eyelashes to address lash ptosis. The goal is preservation of upper eyelid volume with the retention of the upper eyelid fold. Skeletonization of the upper eyelid is still too common an outcome of upper eyelid surgery and Dr. Steinsapir advocates for the preservation of upper eyelid structure to avoid a surgical look.
An Individualized Approach
Both a heavy brow and forehead concerns, as well as this extra tissue around the eyes can detract from your appearance, it’s a very good question to ask whether you might benefit from a forehead lift or lidlift. The right approach for you will depend on the root cause of your concern, which an experienced oculofacial surgeon can help you determine. The importance of this individual consultation and physical examination is paramount, as a successful surgery with natural results comes from having a plan that is specifically designed for you.
Please call us today to schedule a no-risk consultation with Dr. Steinsapir, who is an international leader in minimally invasive cosmetic facial procedures–including the forehead lift, facelift, and eyelid surgery–with particular attention to how the entire face interacts with the eyes, our most expressive feature. By consulting with the best, you’ll receive answers and finally achieve the look you desire.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician or surgeon and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
Can I have upper eyelid surgery without looking like I have been operated on?
This questions cuts both ways. What you are hoping for in having surgery is an improved look. What the question gets at is whether you will end up with the operated look. No one wants the surgical results of famous people talked about in the tabloids, such as the singer Kenny Rogers or the socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein. As much as it would be great to say that overaggressive, unnatural surgery results are a thing of the past, it is simply not true. Avoiding this type of result not simply a matter of choosing a surgeon with the right training and credentials. The advice of seeking a board certified general plastic surgeon does not guarantee any level of expertise when it comes to eyelid surgery. In fact general plastic surgeons are poorly trained in eyelid plastic surgery compared to oculoplastic surgeons. Even training in oculoplastic surgery is not guarantee of natural results. The truth is that good people are were you find them, and this is true for highly qualified cosmetic eyelid surgeons.
The surgical look can come from removing too much tissue in the upper eyelid, or creating an upper eyelid crease that is too high. Dr. Steinsapir advocates for a more conservative approach that preserves as much tissue as possible, complimenting your natural eyelid structure. “Surgeons misunderstand the goal of cosmetic eyelid surgery. The surgery should be invisible leaving the eyes natural and alive,” notes Dr. Steinsapir.
A carefully planned surgery takes into account your goals, the balance of all your facial features, and functionality. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, so take time to find a doctor who individualizes each treatment and makes upper eyelid surgery a major focus of his or her practice. A specialized physician will be able to answer your questions, discuss your options, and show you before-and-after photos of eyelid surgery examples, without special lighting, retouching, or camera tricks. Provided you take the time to seek out a great surgeon, don’t opt for shortcuts, and are willing to listen to expert medical advice, there is no reason to expect nothing but the best.
In medicine there is no such thing as a no-risk surgery. For this reason, your potential surgeon needs to spend time talking with you to investigate your personal history in detail. They need to perform a very detailed and comprehensive examination. This should be followed by an equally detailed discussion regarding risks, benefits, alternatives and the likelihood of surgical success. If your surgeon cuts corners in the consultation process, it is reasonable to assume that they may cut corners in the surgery as well. If your surgeon spent only a few moments with you and did not bother to examine your face and eyelids before referring you to the practice closer, it is reasonable to ask yourself if your are in the right place.
The details of your upper eyelid surgery will depend on your individual eyelid contour, the specific improvements you are seeking, and a detailed examination and treatment plan created specifically for your needs by a specialist in oculoplastic surgery. Dr. Steinsapir is respected across the world as a leader in eyelid surgery with natural results, and he practices both in Beverly Hills and at UCLA, where he is an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute. He is dedicated to the needs of his patients and provides a rare level of unique personal care. We invite you to consult with Dr. Steinsapir to learn if upper eyelid surgery is right for you. Please call today to learn more about how eyelid surgery can help you improve your appearance and your confidence.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician or surgeon and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
What is Microdroplet botulinum toxin treatment?
Microdroplet™ botulinum toxin treatment, or more simply called Microdroplet™ BOTOX®, is a specialized method of cosmetic BOTOX® treatment protected under US Patent 7,846,457 B2. This treatment was designed and researched to address the problem of the “forehead freeze” sometimes seen in standard BOTOX® treatments, improving this minimally invasive cosmetic procedure with more reliable, precise, and natural results. In short, Microdroplet™ BOTOX® improves upon earlier treatments by avoiding the “flat” or “frozen” or “nonexpressive” look that is sometimes associated with BOTOX®. BOTOX® is an extremely popular cosmetic service for good reason–it’s safe, it’s effective, and its benefits are clinically proven. Now with Microdroplet™ BOTOX®, you can achieve a youthful appearance that elevates the eyebrows and improves forehead lines, but still retain your full range of natural facial expression.
How does Microdroplet™ BOTOX® work?
Microdroplet™ BOTOX® utilizes the same foundational principles that make BOTOX® effective. Botulinum toxin or BOTOX® is a natural muscle relaxant that, with proper placement, can restore balance to the face by correcting overactive muscles often responsible for wrinkles, creases, and forehead lines. What is unique about the breakthrough Microdroplet™ BOTOX® method is the highly controlled placement of tiny microdroplets of botulinum toxin to treat the muscles responsible for pulling the eyebrows down, without “treating” other parts of the face that don’t need it. Microdroplet™ BOTOX® is an individualized treatment targets the precise muscles responsible for your concerns, meaning that you achieve positive results but still maintain normal forehead movements and expressions.
How was Microdroplet™ BOTOX® developed?
The placement of Microdroplet™ BOTOX® is positioned according to the depth, treatment patterns, volumes, and other technical factors developed by patent holder Dr. Steinsapir who researched and invented the method, which is regarded today as revolutionary. The method is so unusual that is was granted a very rare United States patent. Dr. Steinsapir trained alongside the inventor of BOTOX® and has been providing BOTOX® since 1988, along with other specialized facial cosmetic procedures. Upon observation, Dr. Steinsapir noticed that many individuals received great benefits from treatment yet still experienced some side effects. This is why he developed Microdroplet™ BOTOX®, to continue helping individuals achieve the results they desire and maximize natural improvements. To learn more about how an individualized Microdroplet™ BOTOX® plan with Dr. Steinsapir can benefit you, call us today to schedule a consultation.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician or surgeon and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
Upper blepharoplasty made my eyelids heavier and the skin wrinkled. What is going on?
Dr. Steinsapir specializes in fixing unsatisfactory eyelid surgery. As a fellowship trained oculoplastic and cosmetic surgeon, and a board certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Steinsapir is experienced in working closely with his patients to create a personalized treatment plan. If you are experiencing eyelid ptosis and crepey (wrinkled) skin following upper blepharoplasty, it may be that your original surgeon did not have the proper experience to successfully perform your upper blepharoplasty.
Crepey Skin
When performing upper blepharoplasty, simply removing extra skin is not enough to create a desirable outcome. Successful blepharoplasty requires what Dr. Steinsapir calls a ‘structured’ blepharoplasty. It is essential to properly support the upper eyelid skin to avoid crepey upper eyelid―platform skin that simply won’t hold makeup. To correct this problem, your surgeon will need to remove skin from below the upper eyelid crease and anchor the eyelid platform skin and underlying muscle to the levator tendon, which raises the upper eyelid. This places the upper eyelid skin on a slight stretch resulting in a smooth platform for makeup.
An experienced and skilled surgeon can address crepey upper eyelid skin after unsatisfactory upper blepharoplasty with a carefully planned excision of the excess skin left on the eyelid platform. With the eyelid open, the upper eyelid skin is anchored to the levator tendon to create a long lasting adhesion to the eyelid elevator. Recovery is usually somewhat shorter than standard upper blepharoplasty.
An anchor blepharoplasty is an important part of any comprehensive eyelid surgery. This part of your procedure specifically addresses loose skin and drooping eyelashes on the upper eyelid platform. Excess, wrinkled or loose skin here can give you a tired appearance associated with eyelash ptosis and crepey eyelid platform skin.
While ideally anchor blepharoplasty is a part of every blepharoplasty, unspecialized or less skilled surgeons may not be comfortable offering this important aspect of treatment. Anchor blepharoplasty is a very technical skill that requires great precision and specialized expertise. Without great experience, education and an artistic skill, your cosmetic doctor may have difficulty performing an anchor blepharoplasty as part of your upper blepharoplasty; unfortunately, in these cases you may find yourself disappointed after you heal and wish your eyes appeared more alert.
Heavy eyelids
Heavy eyelids following upper blepharoplasty are often the result of a pre-surgical condition that your surgeon failed to address during you consultations. Before you underwent blepharoplasty, you presumably already had heavy lids and heavy brows. The brain compensates for the heavy eyebrow by activating the frontalis muscle, the forehead elevator. The forehead lifts the eyebrow until the skin in the upper eyelid no longer rests on the upper eyelashes.
Clinically, this situation can be detected by looking for lines in the forehead and an abnormally elevated eyebrow. When upper blepharoplasty is performed in this setting, the excess skin in the upper eyelid is removed. This reduces the amount of forehead muscle activation that is needed to keep the upper eyelid skin off the upper eyelashes. The forehead relaxes and the eyebrows come down. The net result is that it appears that almost nothing was done surgically. Of course the forehead is smoother but if the objective was to make the eyes brighter by clearing space above the eyelashes, the net effect can be disappointing. Under these circumstances the best option is to perform a forehead lift in conjunction with the eyelid surgery.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is on active staff at the UCLA Hospital and Medical Center at the David Geffen School of Medicine as an associate clinical professor of Ophthalmology in the Division of Orbital and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery. UCLA is consistently rated the best hospital in the West and ranked at the top with a handful of medical centers in the United States. Many surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis at the Surgery Center at the UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Steinsapir addresses a broad array of oculofacial reconstructive concerns. Contact us today to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Steinsapir.
What should I expect with my forehead surgery?
Forehead lift surgery, also referred to as a brow lift or eyebrow lift, is designed to achieve a younger, more refreshed look by smoothing the forehead, reducing frown lines, and elevating the eyebrow line position. In some cases, it’s preferred over upper eyelid surgery for achieving rejuvenation. Although the forehead lift elevates the eyebrows, it differs from eyelid surgery because eyelid surgery deals with the height of the crease, the crease structure, and eyelid and lash ptosis. Although eyelid surgery can freshen your look as well, the forehead lift addresses one of the focal points of your face–one that can make the difference between looking tired and run down and looking youthful and refreshed. In some instances, combining a brow lift with eyelid surgery will provide the total facial rejuvenation you are seeking.
Different types of forehead surgery
There are three major types of cosmetic forehead lifts; endoscopic, also called closed forehead lift, open forehead lift, and thread, or suture lift. Of these three types, endoscopic forehead surgery is the safest, most effective, and most natural-appearing surgical solution. Both the open and closed forehead lifts are long-lasting, with the open forehead lift showing no clear advantage in any area and some clear disadvantages. Healing time for the endoscopic forehead lift is about five times faster, so you’ll see improvements sooner, and your risk of forehead lift complications is greatly reduced.
The thread lift, or suture lift is often advertised as a cheap alternative to the facelift. The thread lift is a procedure in which a barbed suture is threaded through the face. This is supposed to lift the face with minimal surgery. It costs less than a facelift, and sometimes recovery time is shorter, but this procedure doesn’t last and can have associated complications. Most cosmetic surgeons do not perform thread lifts because they feel that they are ineffective. For cosmetic purposes, Dr. Steinsapir primarily performs endoscopic forehead lifts, or closed forehead lift. The endoscopic forehead lift offers many advantages to other alternatives.
Where is surgery commonly performed?
A forehead lift, whether open or closed is a surgical procedure and cannot be performed during an in-office visit. Surgery is typically performed in an outpatient surgery center. Dr. Steinsapir performs this procedure at the UCLA Outpatient Surgery Center where he is on staff as an Associate Clinical Professor and Attending Surgeon. An endoscopic forehead lift requires intravenous sedation but general anesthesia is typically not needed. This means that you have surgery with minimal drug exposure contributing to a faster recovery.
What is the typical recovery course and physical restrictions?
Swelling and bruising following an endoscopic forehead lift can last for several weeks. However, most women find that after 7 to 10 days and a little makeup, they can go out and about without calling attention to themselves. Most men find they can return to their work routine without makeup at 7 to 10 days.
Endoscopic forehead lifts involve a relatively short recovery process and patients usually experience minimal discomfort. Smaller incisions mean less healing and a faster recovery and is associated with few complications compared to the open forehead lift technique. Numbness of the scalp, which was universal with the open forehead lift, is rare with the endoscopic forehead lift. There is very little if any hair loss with a small incision forehead lift.
What are some common complications and how are they addressed?
An endoscopic forehead lift offers faster healing time and fewer negative effects like scalp numbness, hair loss, or a long scar. Although a few who insist on continuing to perform the open forehead lift may say that the resulting scar from the open forehead lift can be “hidden” underneath your hair, the reality is that this breaks up the natural hair growth pattern. The untrained eye will recognize that something looks slightly “off” about your hair line―even beveled incisions that allow some hair to grow through the scar can look wrong. In hair grafting circles, this is referred to as “compression.” Natural hairlines do not have compression. Many who have had this procedure also do not like the long term numbness that results from cutting large sensory nerve in the scalp. The open coronal forehead lift can also be associated with permanent hair loss along the incision line. These complications are not seen with the small incisions used for the endoscopic forehead lift.
What is the time frame before full recovery?
Following endoscopic forehead lifts, the forehead needs to be supported while the body heals. This support is called brow fixation and there are several options for brow fixation. The two most common options in this practice are the Coapt endobrow Endotine or microscrew fixation. The Coapt device is a small plate that is used in pairs. The plate is fixed to the forehead bone and supports the forehead. The device is completely covered and over time will dissolve. The other method for supporting the forehead after surgery involves three or four small microscrews that poke out of the scalp. A small staple behind each post supports the forehead. The posts and the staples are removed about three weeks after surgery. Again, these are hidden in the hair and are generally not noticeable to others. Dr. Steinsapir allows a return to the gym in 10-14 days, however even the day after surgery you will be encouraged for go out for a walk. Most find that they can resume business by telephone, email, and computer the day after surgery.
Is Dr. Steinsapir available for a personal consultation regarding this surgery?
Dr. Steinsapir believes strongly that there is not substitute for a personal consultation to determine if a particular surgery is right for you. Dr. Steinsapir performs this consultation himself so he can get to know your medical history and personal concerns. He will perform a detailed examination. After assessing the totality of your personal situation, he will discuss with you his opinions, concerns, and recommendations. This will include a through discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and likelihood of success. Call today for your personal consultation.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
Eyelid Surgery and Permanent Eye Makeup
Permanent eye makeup is a tattoo that is applied to the eyelid margin to simulate eye liner, or along the eyebrow to fill-in or darken the brows. These services are very popular, but if you are considering permanent eye makeup and are also considering eyelid surgery, Dr. Steinsapir recommends that you have a surgical consultation before receiving permanent makeup. Permanent eye makeup is a tattoo, and therefore is relatively permanent; “relatively” permanent because over time the tattoo will lose color and after a few years you may need the color reinforced. Generally eyelid surgery will have an effect on the shape of the eyelids and on eyebrow position. For this reason, if you are considering doing both services, have the permanent makeup after you have healed from eyelid surgery.
I already have permanent makeup, can I have eyelid surgery?
If you already have permanent makeup, this won’t prevent you from having eyelid surgery. Generally the permanent makeup is placed within the eyelashes and eyelid surgery typically does not require an incision along the lashes. Occasionally, the permanent lower eyelid makeup extends beyond the lower eyelid lashes. The portion of the eye line that extends beyond the lower eyelid lashes may be affected by lower eyelid surgery, but a skilled surgeon can work around this issue and many lower eyelid procedures do not require a lower eyelid incision.
I have permanent eyebrow makeup, can I have a facelift?
Permanent makeup for the eyebrow generally fills-in or darkens your existing eyebrows. As a result, a forehead lift that moves the eyebrow will also cause your permanent eyebrow makeup to move. Occasionally, a woman has plucked her thin eyebrow hairs and penciled in a brow at a higher location. Before considering having this eyebrow location marked permanently with a tattoo, Dr. Steinsapir recommends a cosmetic consultation. In some cases, an endoscopic forehead lift may correct the location of your eyebrows and improve your appearance and make your eyebrows appear more natural. For this reason, before you have your eyebrows tattooed in a higher location, consider having a surgical consultation for an endoscopic forehead lift.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
