Too bad our eye bags aren’t full of money, bb. Whether you’ve been skipping your zzz’s or are naturally prone to a lil’ periorbital puffiness, the swelling of the tissues under the eyes is annoying AF. We chatted with Dr. Carmelo Crisafulli, Plastic Surgeon, Medical Director, and Partner at Cosmo Health by Dr Carmelo to find out how to make sure the only bags we’re carrying are designer.
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Cosmo ME: Is it possible to remove eye bags with plastic surgery?
Dr. Carmello: Yes, there are two different surgical approaches we can use to remove eye bags from the lower eyelids. We need to take into consideration the patient’s anatomy and the condition of their skin before selecting which one will be best.
C: What’s the first procedure?
Dr. C: The first approach is the trans-conjuntival lower blepharoplasty. This is where I make a tiny incision with the cautery in the inner part of the lower eyelid. By using the cautery I’m able to reach the eye bags immediately without causing any damage to the surrounding tissue.
C: How long does the trans-conjuntival lower blepharoplasty take?
Dr. C: It is a quick procedure of about 30-40 minutes done under local anaesthesia and with a downtime of three to four days.
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C: Is there any scarring?
Dr. C: Not at all. There are no visible scars and the results are basically immediate and very natural. This is the best approach for patients who do not have laxity or any excess skin of the lower eyelid.
C: What is the second procedure?
Dr. C: Yes, the second approach is a bit more invasive and typically takes seven to 10 days for recovery. During this time, patients will have the same external tape on the skin and swelling, but over the course of a few weeks the tiny scar will begin to fade to nothing, leaving a natural result. Both approaches are easy procedures but only in expert hands.
C: What are we looking at, price-wise?
Dr. C: The price starts from Dhs15,000 for a simple case and can reach even Dhs50,000 to Dhs60,000 for more complicated cases, or if the patient asks for a complete blepharoplasty (upper and lower eyelids), in conjunction with a mild lifting of the middle third of the face.
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C: Do any non-surgical options exist for removing eye bags?
Dr. C: The only non-surgical way to hide eye bags, but not remove them, is to use filler in the tear trough. It’s a quick procedure performed in the clinic with immediate recovery. You may experience a small amount of swelling for the first two to three days, and a small touch-up is recommended after seven to 10 days. The price starts from Dhs1,500 for the single syringe of filler.
C: How do surgical and non-surgical results compare?
Dr. C: Both surgical and non-surgical approaches should aim to improve the appearance of the eyes naturally and make them appear less tired looking, but one can not compare to the other. We’re fortunate to have the opportunity to offer different treatments for different conditions that will ultimately satisfy the patient’s concern or need.
For more information, contact Dr. Carmelo at Cosmo Health by Dr. Carmelo.