Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is one of the most popular surgical anti-ageing procedures, and was the fourth most-performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the UK in 2023.
Its popularity lies in the fact that blepharoplasty produces subtle, natural looking results that nonetheless make a noticeable difference to your perceived age.
Once the almost-exclusive domain of the over-50s, in recent years eyelid surgery requests are coming from younger and younger patients. Some experts cite the COVID pandemic as the cause for this, with constant Zoom meetings forcing us to examine our facial features more closely. Others, however, suggest that this is part of a larger trend for preventative, or ‘maintenance’ procedures, which aim to nip signs of ageing in the bud before they become obvious.
Whatever the reason behind it, there is no doubt that surgeons are seeing requests for blepharoplasty from people as young as their twenties. Whether these enquiries lead to actual surgical procedures is always handled on an individual basis, but there are some broad rules to be considered when assessing the right age for eyelid surgery.
Age is not the only factor
While hooded eyelids are often considered to be a sign of ageing, some people have a genetic predisposition to the feature, and so present with puffy, drooping eyelids at a much earlier age than we might expect.
Lifestyle factors also need to be considered when deciding whether someone is a suitable candidate for blepharoplasty, such as:
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Excessive exposure to the sun or use of sun bed
These can speed up the ageing process, causing anti-ageing procedures to be required earlier.
Unfortunately, however, these lifestyle choices can also put your general health at risk, meaning surgery is not always a safe or sensible option. All the risks and benefits of the procedure would be discussed at the consultation stage, taking into account your individual needs, allowing both patient and surgeon to make an informed decision.
What are the benefits of having blepharoplasty at a younger age?
Blepharoplasty is a fantastic anti-ageing procedure, at whatever age you choose to undergo the surgery. The eye area can be a dead giveaway of your age, and so removing sagging skin from around the eyes can produce a more rejuvenated appearance than any amount of dermal filler.
Having any anti-ageing treatment before the signs of ageing become too apparent can be beneficial, as it slows down the visible ageing process. For blepharoplasty, this means a reduction in:
- excess skin on the upper eyelid
- puffiness around the eye
- undereye bags
- fine lines and wrinkles beneath the eye
While it’s great to see these benefits early, even patients in their 60s and 70s have reported a brighter, more youthful look after blepharoplasty – and best of all, no one can tell they’ve had anything ‘done’.
So what is the best age for blepharoplasty?
There is no right answer to this question – all cases must be considered on an individual basis. The minimum legal age for cosmetic surgery in the UK is 18, and anyone seeking treatment this early should give serious consideration to their reasons for doing so.
However, when done for the right reasons, blepharoplasty can produce a very natural looking rejuvenating effect that has lasting psychological as well as aesthetic benefit.
For more information or to book a consultation, please contact us on 0207 432 8727.