Do you know what causes sagging
eyelids? Are you one of the many women who are frustrated with
those sagging skin?
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery,
eyelid surgery was the third most popular cosmetic surgery type
between 2006 and 2007 in the US. There was also a marked
increase of 8% compared to the previous years' data. This shows
that in US alone, more and more people resort to surgical
procedures to remove their sagging on their eyelids. Let us take
a brief review first.
What is it?
Blepharochalasia is the medical
term for this condition. It specifically refers to the excess
eyelid skin, weakened eyelid muscles and increasingly protruding
fat pockets that result to the dropping of the upper eyelids.
Blepharoplasty is the technical
term which refers to the removal or repositioning of excess
fatty tissues beneath the eyelid skin. It also involves the
reinforcement of the muscles and connecting tissues that
surround them.
An incision is made to remove
resulting to the elimination of advanced-age look in the
eyelids. However, many experts expressed concerns about this
procedure. If done properly, this may result to amazing effects.
Consider, however, that this is not a permanent cure for eyelid
sagging. A recent study explains why.
Rethinking eyelid surgery
Researchers at the University
of California-Los Angeles conducted series of examinations using
MRI's of 40 people. Their study revealed that, with advancing
age, the tissues found at the lower eyelid increases, with the
increase in the fatty tissues as the largest indicator. With
increasing amount of fatty tissues present, the lower eyelids
begin to sag.
Adding insult to injury, the
loss of elasticity because of decreasing amount of collagen and
elastin in the skin tissues leads to weakened muscles that
support the weight of the eyelid tissues. These findings mean
that eyelid surgeons have to re-think their approach towards
their patients suffering from sagging eyelids.
In fact, a patient has to
routinely undergo eyelid surgeries every 6 months, on the
average. This is based on previous findings that fatty tissue
content is replenished every twice a year after removal of the
upper fatty tissues.
Get holistic
To minimize sagging eyelids, a
holistic approach needs combating the root causes of the
problem.
Since it was already shown that
fatty tissues found on the eyelids increases with advancing age,
any treatment should be focused on the reduction, if not
prevention, of fatty tissue accumulation in those areas.
Although there are many other
factors that increase the risk of getting sagging eyelids. These
may be thyroid dysfunction, fatigue, excessive exercising,
insufficient sleep, retention of fluid, presence of toxins and
smoking. In rare cases, very young people are predisposed to
sagging eyelids.
Some of them have those
premature age look even at a young age. Among leading causes of
sagging eyelids are the following:
1. Oxidative stress.
This is the result of eating too much processed and packaged
foods that are loaded with heavy concentrations of unsaturated
fats. This type of food contains a lot of free radicals, those
substances that contribute to the rapid destruction of the
cellular membranes and the cells themselves.
2. High sugar intake.
According to a study published in the European Journal of
Clinical Investigation (published May 16, 2008), diabetic people
who have metabolic syndrome suffer from higher levels of
oxidative stress compared to those who are not. Foods high in
sugar contribute to the accumulation of free radicals and
greater oxidative stress.
3. Loss of skin elasticity.
Collagen performs a highly important function in our body. It is
largely responsible for the firm structure and elasticity of the
skin layers. Substantial loss of the body's collagen leads to
weakened muscles due to less elastic connective tissues that
hold together the various fatty and muscle cells. Specifically,
eyelids begin to lose their resiliency, or their ability to
spring back when opened.
Knowing what causes sagging
eyelids will lead you to discovering techniques you can possibly
do to address it. You may not totally eradicate their
occurrence, but a good regimen, healthy diet and sufficient
sleep have been shown to minimize the effects of sagging
eyelids.
