Drooping Eyelids: Surgery and Useful Tips

At Istituto Image, we see aesthetic medicine as a journey towards harmony and wellbeing, where every procedure is designed to enhance the uniqueness of the face without altering its essence.
Among our cutting-edge solutions, we offer blepharoplasty in Milan with Lipogems, ideal for those wishing to correct imperfections such as drooping eyelids, combining surgical excellence with the most advanced regenerative medicine techniques.
Our goal is to restore freshness and vitality to the gaze, with natural, long-lasting results and an optimized recovery.

Drooping Eyelids: What Are They? Causes and Symptoms

Drooping eyelids, technically known as eyelid ptosis, occur when the upper eyelid lowers, partially or fully covering the pupil. This condition can give the face a permanently tired, sad, or aged appearance, even when one feels full of energy.

The main causes are linked to the natural aging process. Over time, the skin loses elasticity and tone due to reduced collagen production, and the muscles that support the eyelid tend to weaken. Other factors can also contribute or accelerate this process:

• Genetic factors: A family predisposition may affect the structure and firmness of the periocular area.
• Lifestyle: Excessive sun exposure without protection, smoking, and unhealthy habits can accelerate skin aging.
• Traumatic or pathological causes: In rarer cases, ptosis may result from trauma or specific medical conditions.

Symptoms are not just aesthetic. Many people feel heaviness in the eyes and, in more severe cases, experience an actual reduction in the upper visual field, interfering with daily activities such as reading or driving.

When Should You Consider Surgery for Drooping Eyelids?

The decision to undergo surgery for drooping eyelids is personal and arises when the condition starts to negatively affect quality of life, both functionally and psychologically. It is time to consider correction when:

• The visual field is limited: If you must tilt your head back or raise your eyebrows to see properly, surgery becomes functional, improving vision.
• Appearance no longer reflects how you feel: When the mirror shows a tired, aged image that doesn’t match your inner vitality, correction can restore confidence and self-esteem.
• Psychological discomfort becomes significant: Feeling uneasy when interacting with others or avoiding eye contact signals a deeper impact on emotional wellbeing.
• Non-surgical remedies are no longer enough: When creams and non-invasive aesthetic treatments fail to achieve the desired effect, surgery becomes the most effective and lasting solution.

Blepharoplasty: Plastic Surgery for Drooping Eyelids

Blepharoplasty is the gold-standard surgical procedure for correcting drooping eyelids—a refined surgery that rejuvenates the gaze with natural, harmonious results. The operation consists of the precise removal of excess skin and, if necessary, herniated fat forming under-eye bags, through incisions hidden in the natural eyelid folds, leaving scars virtually invisible.

At Istituto Image, we have elevated this surgery to the next level by creating Regenerative Blepharoplasty. Under the guidance of Professor Carlo Tremolada, we integrate surgical precision with the innovative Lipogems® technology. During the same session, a small amount of the patient’s adipose tissue is harvested, processed with the patented Lipogems® system, and injected into the periocular area. This regenerative graft brings extraordinary benefits:

• Improves the quality and elasticity of the thin eyelid skin.
• Restores natural volume lost with aging, effectively addressing dark circles and tear troughs.
• Thanks to powerful anti-inflammatory properties, reduces swelling and speeds up healing.

For selected cases, the pathway may be complemented with laser therapy to further enhance skin texture and reduce fine wrinkles, achieving a comprehensive rejuvenation of the gaze.

What to Expect During Post-Surgery Recovery

Recovery after blepharoplasty is usually well tolerated and quick. In the first 48–72 hours, mild swelling and bruising are normal and can be managed with cold compresses.

Thanks to the regenerative Lipogems® approach, our patients benefit from accelerated healing, with significantly reduced swelling and discomfort. Stitches are typically removed after 5–7 days. Returning to social activities is usually possible after 10–14 days, while intense physical activity should wait around one month. The final results settle and become fully visible after a few months, revealing a more open, refreshed, and rested gaze.

Useful Tips to Maintain Surgical Results

Blepharoplasty provides very long-lasting results, often lasting 10–15 years. However, the natural aging process continues. To preserve the freshness of your gaze over time, we recommend adopting some good habits:

• Sun Protection: Daily use of a high-SPF sunscreen around the eye area is the most important step to prevent photoaging.
• Proper Skincare: Using specific eye-contour products rich in antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid helps keep skin hydrated and elastic.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Avoiding smoking, following a balanced diet, and ensuring proper sleep are crucial factors for skin health.
• Maintenance Treatments: Non-invasive procedures such as biorevitalization, light peels, or radiofrequency can be scheduled to maintain skin quality and extend results.

Why Choose istitutoimage.it for Your Aesthetic Medicine Procedure

Choosing Istituto Image for the correction of drooping eyelids means relying on a center of excellence that combines medical expertise, technological innovation, and a philosophy centered on natural results.

Our offer stands out for:

• A Unique Regenerative Approach: We are pioneers in integrating blepharoplasty with Lipogems® technology, a method that not only corrects but regenerates tissues, ensuring superior results and faster recovery.
• Maximum Surgical Expertise: Our team, led by Professor Carlo Tremolada, holds dual specialization in plastic and maxillofacial surgery, ensuring deep anatomical knowledge of the face for safe and precise procedures.
• Natural, Personalized Results: Each procedure is tailor-made for the patient, with the goal of refreshing the gaze while preserving expression and identity.
• Comprehensive Care: From the first consultation to post-operative follow-up, our dedicated team provides care, attention, and support at every stage.

Drooping eyelids may make you look tired, but they do not define who you are. At Istituto Image, we don’t just correct an imperfection: with our exclusive Regenerative Blepharoplasty with Lipogems®, we regenerate tissues to restore a fresh, open gaze in perfect harmony with your face.

It’s time to see yourself again as you truly feel.
Book a consultation with our surgeons and discover how we can rejuvenate your eyes with natural, long-lasting results.

FAQ

How can you lift a drooping eyelid?

For an effective and lasting lift, surgical blepharoplasty is the most recommended solution. For mild cases, non-surgical alternatives such as radiofrequency, fractional lasers, or thread lifts can offer temporary improvement.

How many years younger can blepharoplasty make you look?

It is not possible to define an exact number of years, but blepharoplasty significantly rejuvenates the gaze. It eliminates a tired, heavy look, giving the face a fresher, more rested, and more vibrant expression that can make you appear several years younger overall.

Is blepharoplasty dangerous?

Like any surgery, blepharoplasty carries risks, but when performed by a specialized, qualified plastic surgeon in a suitable facility, it is considered extremely safe with a very low complication rate.

What are the non-surgical remedies for drooping eyelids?

For mild eyelid laxity, non-surgical remedies include microneedle radiofrequency, laser resurfacing, micro-focused ultrasound, and thread lifts. These methods stimulate collagen production and provide a moderate, temporary lifting effect.

What is the best treatment for drooping eyelids?

The “best” treatment depends on the degree of ptosis. For mild to moderate sagging, non-surgical options may provide good results. For more severe cases with significant excess skin, blepharoplasty remains the gold standard, offering the most effective, complete, and long-lasting outcome.

What can you do instead of blepharoplasty?

As an alternative to surgical blepharoplasty, early sagging can be addressed with treatments like fractional laser, microneedle radiofrequency, or thread lifts. These approaches can improve skin firmness and provide a mild lifting effect, but cannot replace the effectiveness of surgery in cases of significant skin excess.