Dr. Michael McCracken says sagging upper eyelids can cause a woman to look older and make it difficult to apply eye makeup

Dr. Michael McCracken and patient Diana, who had Botox & Restylane

Online PR News – 23-January-2013 –Denver, CO - “More women having eyelid surgery, Botox or facial fillers at younger ages,” says plastic surgeon Michael McCracken, M.D. “Women as young as their 20’s are opting to soften developing lines in their faces before they become more noticeable, in what can be termed ‘aesthetic maintenance’. We are also seeing more women in their later 30’s and early 40’s coming to us for eyelid surgery,” says Dr. McCracken. “As more interest is focusing on preventative and restorative facial treatments doctors are seeing more patients in the 31 to 45 age category.”

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery can eliminate hooded, drooping upper eyelids. “Sagging eyelids can make it difficult for women to apply eye makeup, so they are opting to have eyelid surgery to keep a fresh and younger-look,” says Dr. McCracken.  “Since the eyes are often the first facial feature to show aging, women are very interested in maintaining their youthful eyelid contours.”

“Upper eyelid surgery takes about 30 minutes and can be done with local anesthesia or in an operating room with I.V. sedation,” says Dr. McCracken.  “During the procedure I make a small incision hidden in the natural eyelid fold which minimizes visible scarring,” he says. “Postoperative discomfort is minimal and most patients can return to normal activities within a week,” says Dr. McCracken. “Stitches are removed at a postoperative visit, usually about a week after the procedure and most patients can resume wearing makeup and contacts at that time.”

“The upper eyelid procedure can remove loose and sagging skin that creates folds and “hooding” around the eyes, remove excess fatty deposits that cause puffiness, improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles in the upper eyelids and make the eyes look refreshed and rejuvenated,” says Dr. McCracken. 

Botox Is Not Just For Wrinkles Anymore.     
In a recent interview in Elle, morning TV show co-host Kelly Ripa discussed having Botox injections to curb sweating and for non-surgical lifting of her upper eyelids. "Every seven months or so my eyelid skin rests on my eyelashes," Ripa said. "So I feel like it makes my makeup artist's life easier, and it makes my eyes look a little more open on TV, which is where I happen to work right now." 

Non-Surgical Facial Reshaping
“Botox is useful for much more than smoothing wrinkles,” says Dr. McCracken. “Areas of the face like the upper eyelids, eyebrows and corners of the mouth can be subtly but noticeably re-contoured with carefully placed Botox injections. We can raise the brows a bit or subtly elevate the  corners of the mouth to reverse the signs of aging and to accentuate a woman’s feminine facial features." Dr. McCracken's patient Diana discusses her Botox and Restylane treatments in this video.

“As people age, there is a gradual loss of volume in the cheeks and mid-face area as volume shifts to the lower cheeks and jowls,” says Dr. McCracken. “This change in facial contours causes an aged appearance with deflated cheeks and a heavier lower face and jowls. Non-surgical facial reshaping can address these concerns.”

Restylane and other fillers can be used to add fullness, to restore youthful contours and to correct facial asymmetries, says Dr. McCracken. Carefully placed injections can also improve the "mouth frown", the downward sloping lines that devlop at the corners of the mouth. “These lines can be made more noticeable by volume from the cheek area moving downward in the aging process. This causes the tissues near the corner of the mouth to crease. A combination of Restylane and Botox injections can be used to improve or eliminate the mouth frown,” says Dr. McCracken.

For more information about eyelid surgery and non-surgical facial reshaping call the McCracken Eye and Face Institute at 720.851.6600 or visit www.mccrackenmd.com
Vist Dr. McCracken's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/drmichaelmccracken
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About Dr. McCracken:
Michael McCracken, M.D. is a board certified ophthalmologist with additional specialized training in oculoplastic surgery. Dr. McCracken is among a handful of members of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, a highly selective society of specially trained surgeons who focus on the eyes and surrounding areas.

Dr. McCracken is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.  Dr. McCracken has lectured internationally and has also been chosen as a member of the BOTOX® and Juvéderm® National Education Faculty. Dr. McCracken practices in the Denver area and in Boulder, CO.
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