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Appearance Medicine

Droopy eyelids

As you age, one of the first areas you’ll see change is in the delicate tissues around the eye. Your eyelids may droop as the muscles supporting them weaken. Remodelling of the bones that support the eye, and changes in the fat under the skin around the eye, also contribute.

There are both surgical and non-surgical options to help droopy eyelids. The best choice for you will depend on the amount of excess skin, and the severity of your under-eye bags.

As you age, one of the first areas you’ll see change is in the delicate tissues around the eye. Your eyelids may droop as the muscles supporting them weaken. Remodelling of the bones that support the eye, and changes in the fat under the skin around the eye, also contribute.

There are both surgical and non-surgical options to help droopy eyelids. The best choice for you will depend on the amount of excess skin, and the severity of your under-eye bags.

Non-surgical treatment options

Botulinum Toxin (Botox® or Dysport®)

Tiny injections of Botox® or Dysport® under the brow, and into the crow’s feet, can release the downward pull of the muscle surrounding the eye, named “orbicularis oculi”. It’s possible to achieve a 1-2mm lift of the brow, smoothing out excess skin above the eye, resulting in a less baggy appearance of the upper eyelid.

Dermal Filler (Juvederm®, Restylane® or Belotero®)

For some people, elevating the tail of the eyebrow can be achieved by placing dermal filler in the temples. This is an advanced technique offered only by our most senior Appearance Medicine practitioners.

If the area under your eyes is a concern, dermal filler placed in your cheek, tear trough or even your temples can reduce hollowing under your eyes and disguise mild eye bags. If you are prone to fluid swelling under the eyes, your practitioner may suggest avoiding dermal filler in this area. Treating the tear trough is an advanced technique, only offered by our senior Appearance Medicine practitioners.

Next steps for booking a treatment…

  • Phone 0800 754 637

    The team will be able to assist you with a booking at your nearest Skin Institute clinic offering treatments to effectively treat droopy eyelids.

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Easy ways to pay

At Skin Institute, we accept cash, Eftpos or credit cards. There are also easy ways to spread your payments with QCard or Afterpay.

Pricing

Juvederm Ultra™ & Juvederm Ultra Plus™ are medical devices Class III for the filling of medium size and deep facial wrinkles by injection into the skin and for creating definition and volume in the lips. Contains 24mg/mL. cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Juvederm has risks and benefits. Cautions: Use in an area that has been treated with another dermal filler, people with autoimmune disease, or who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18 years of age or have an increased susceptibility to keloid formation and hypertrophic scarring. People on blood thinning medicines. Possible side effects: injection site inflammatory reactions (redness/swelling, itching/pain on pressure) induration or nodules; discolouration; weak filling effect. If you have side effects or concerns speak to your doctor. Product and treatment costs will apply. Note: Juvederm treatment lasts about 12-24 months. For product information check with your doctor or product information at Allergan (NZ) Limited, Auckland.

Restylane® is a gel containing hyaluronic acid and lidocaine that is injected by a healthcare professional into or below the skin to smooth facial wrinkles and enhance lips by restoring volume and fullness. Restylane is a Class III medical device and has risks and benefits. Restylane® treatment may result in some redness, swelling, pain or tenderness, itching and/or bruising which may last a few days. Inflammatory reactions can begin up to two to four weeks after treatment in rare cases. See your healthcare professional if any side effects concern you. Exposure to excessive sunlight or extreme cold should be avoided until redness or swelling has resolved. Restylane® should not be used in an area where there is a non-resorbable implant or in irritated or infected skin, Restylane® should not be used in people taking blood thinning medicines or who have an allergy to hyaluronic acid, lidocaine or other local anaesthetics. Caution if you take medicines that prolong bleeding time. Treatment lasts 12-24 months. Restylane has not been tested in pregnant or breast-feeding women. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS YOU ARE GIVEN. Galderma, Auckland. Distributed by Healthcare Logistics, Auckland

Belotero® is a Class III medical device to smooth facial wrinkles and folds, correct facial atrophic scars, restore of enhance the lips or restore facial volume. Belotero has risk and benefits. Ask your specialist if Belotero is right for you. Contains transparent cross-linked sodium hyaluronate gel of non-animal origin with lidocaine 0.3% to reduce local pain. Do not use if you have a skin inflammation or a skin infection or until the infection is healed. Precautions. There is a risk of infection. Tell your doctor if you are on blood-clotting medicines as there could be an increased risk of bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Possible side effects: swelling, bruising, redness hardening of the skin, pain, altered colour or itching. Lasts 6-12 months. You will need to pay for this product and doctor’s fees apply. Merz, Sydney. Distributed by Healthcare Logistics, Auckland

Botox® is a prescription medicine for the treatment of frown lines, horizontal forehead lines and crow’s feet round the eyes. Botox® has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if Botox is right for you. If you have side effects, see your doctor. You will need to pay for Botox® and clinic fees will apply. For details on precautions & side effects consult your healthcare professional or the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) at www.medsafe.govt.nz . Botox® treatment lasts about 4 months and further courses of treatment may be necessary. Should only be administered by trained medical professionals. Contains botulinum toxin A 50,100 & 200 units. Allergan (NZ) Limited, Auckland.

Dysport® is a prescription medicine for the treatment of frown lines, horizontal forehead lines and crow’s fee round the eyes. Dysport has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor is Dysport is right for you. If you have side effects see your doctor. You will need to pay for Dysport, and clinic fees will apply. For details on precautions & side effects consult your healthcare professional or the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) at www.medsafe.govt.nz Dysport lasts about 4-6 months and further courses of treatment may be necessary. Should only be administered by trained medical professionals. Contains 500 units of clostridium botulinum Type A toxin. Galderma (NZ) Limited, Auckland.