Introduction
New York City is a hub of advanced cosmetic procedures, with double - eyelid surgery and hyaluronic acid dark - circle removal from the eyes being two popular treatments. Dr. Lu Kaihua's double - eyelid cases stand at an interesting crossroads, especially when considering their relation to the rankings of doctors in hyaluronic acid dark - circle removal. This article will comprehensively explore double - eyelid surgery, its cultural and medical aspects, as well as hyaluronic acid dark - circle removal, and how Dr. Lu Kaihua's cases fit into this complex scenario.
Double - Eyelid Surgery: An Overview
What is Double - Eyelid Surgery?
Double - eyelid surgery, also known as Asian blepharoplasty, aims to create a stable and effective adhesion between the levator palpebrae superioris muscle and the upper eyelid skin so that the upper eyelid forms a crease when the eye is open. It is extremely common worldwide, especially in East Asia. In Europe and the United States, it is called “upper blepharoplasty,” while in East Asia, it is often referred to as “double - eyelid surgery.”
The periorbital region is an important cosmetic unit, and double - eyelid surgery can make people look younger and more energetic. Additionally, for Asians with single eyelids, a double - eyelid surgery can increase the palpebral fissure and improve the esthetics of the eyes.
Cultural Motivations behind Double - Eyelid Surgery
There are many assumptions about why people undergo double - eyelid surgery, such as wanting to look more white or less Asian. However, individual stories reveal more minute and complicated motivations. For example, some individuals, like Shima Kito in 1926, altered their eyes, nose, and lower lip to marry their white girlfriend. Others, like Julie Chen, got the surgery at 25 hoping for a career break.
Many East Asian women are under pressure to get the surgery. Some women grow up in communities where getting the surgery is almost a rite of passage or an expectation. Anne Kim, a 23 - year - old, was always encouraged by her family to seek out the surgery, especially by her mother who immigrated from South Korea. The pressure reached a boiling point when Kim and her mother were in New York City, with her mother insisting that it would make her prettier and give her bigger eyes.
On the other hand, some people get double - eyelid surgery for non - aesthetic reasons. Jiwon Kim had the surgery due to a medical condition called ptosis. She started having intense headaches after graduating from college and starting work full - time. A self - diagnosis led her to discover that she had ptosis, and the solution was a blepharoplasty. Even though she had a slight crease before the procedure, she still felt conflicted as she liked her natural monolids and her family in Korea felt similarly.
Types of Double - Eyelid Surgery
Incision Technique
This involves making a small incision across the eyelid to form the double crease. It is most suitable for patients with thick or excessive eyelid skin, or fatty tissue. The advantage of the incision technique is that the results are permanent. However, recovery times are longer, and scarring may be slightly more visible. Incision - based surgeries typically allow the surgeon to have more control over the final shape and depth of the double - eyelid crease. Surgeons can also remove excess skin and fat during the procedure to achieve a more refined look.
Non - Incision (Suture) Techniques
These techniques are suitable for patients with thinner skin and who do not have obvious fatty deposits. Creases are formed by folding the eyelid skin and stitching the fold. The main advantage of suture techniques over the incision method is the shorter downtime, with many patients being able to return to work after a week, and little or no scarring. However, this is not a permanent solution, and although the results should last for several years, sometimes it is much less. A patient who had the non - surgical double suture technique described it as not cutting open the skin or removing excess fat. Instead, a thread is inserted into the upper eyelid to create the crease, connecting the muscles that open the eyelid. The benefits included no scarring, a short healing time of 7 - 10 days (max two weeks), the ability to resume normal daily life quickly, and the option to reverse the procedure if the patient is not satisfied. However, the surgeon may have limited control over the exact crease and desired height, and the results do not last forever.
Complications of Double - Eyelid Surgery
Although double - eyelid surgery seems simple, it comes with numerous complications, which can be divided into disordered complications and esthetic complications.
Disordered Complications
- Hematoma: One of the most common and easily manageable complications. Hemorrhage mostly occurs from the vessels in the orbicularis oculi muscle or pre - aponeurotic fat. Hematomas are often caused by inadequate hemostasis, improper application of epinephrine, or poor coagulation. Applying a cold compress within three days of surgery can effectively prevent or control hematoma formation, and hematomas are usually absorbed within a short time post - operatively, though the time varies from person to person.
- Infection: Relatively rare after double - eyelid surgery. The use of postoperative antibiotic ointment is an effective prophylactic method. The extensive blood supply in the periorbital region is one of the reasons why postoperative infection is not common. Skin bacteria are the primary pathogens, but studies have also reported infections caused by streptococcus and mycobacterium. Orbital cellulitis is one of the most serious postoperative infections, which can cause severe pain in the orbital area, swelling, loss of vision, and ocular muscle movement disorders. It can be treated with cephalosporin or broad - spectrum antibiotics administered through intravenous drips, and in severe cases, a surgical incision may be required.
- Dry Eyes: Always occur after double - eyelid surgery, especially in middle - aged and older patients, with an incidence rate between 8% and 21%. Patients with dry eyes usually complain of tingling, burning, foreign body sensations, or photophobia, and conjunctivitis might also occur. Intraoperative local anesthesia, injury to the orbicularis oculi muscle, or excessive incision of the upper eyelid skin might all lead to lagophthalmos and, consequentially, dry eye after surgery. Surgeons must avoid removing too much of the orbicularis oculi muscle or skin during surgery. Patients with dry eye symptoms can use artificial tears or other lubricants, and wearing moist chamber spectacles during sleep can effectively prevent or ease dry eyes. Dry eyes caused by double - eyelid surgery usually disappear within three months, but a preoperative evaluation should be performed to avoid exacerbation of postoperative symptoms in patients with a medical history of dry eyes.
- Blepharoptosis: Diagnosed when the upper eyelid covers more than 2 mm of the cornea in forward - looking eyes. It can be classified into mild, moderate, and severe according to the degree of upper eyelid drooping. Ptosis after double - eyelid surgery might be caused by various reasons, such as the upper eyelid skin being too loose or the amount of skin excision being insufficient (pseudoptosis, common in older people), intraoperative local anesthesia or swelling causing transient ptosis, injury to the levator aponeurosis or Müller’s muscle of the upper eyelid due to improper surgical technique, or a high double - eyelid crease reducing the contractile intensity or effective contraction length of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle.
- Retrobulbar Hemorrhage: A rare but extremely dangerous complication that can occur during double - eyelid surgery and might lead to blindness. The mechanism remains unclear, but a medical history of hypertension, vascular diseases, or damage to the periorbital muscles and vessels during surgery might increase the risk. Retrobulbar hematomas might result in a continual increase in intraocular pressure, optic nerve compression, and secondary embolism in the central retinal artery that result in ischemic retina. Surgical decompression should be performed as soon as possible, and lateral canthotomy and decompression is a commonly used method.
Esthetic Complications
- Asymmetry: One of the most common postoperative complications. The main complaint is usually an unequal bilateral double - eyelid height. This can be due to the patient’s eyes having different degrees of upper eyelid skin laxity and inaccurate preoperative design, differences in the bilateral levator palpebrae superioris muscle power, inappropriate intraoperative manipulation, or different activity levels of the periorbital muscles on both sides.
- Multiple Creases: Occur due to excessive dissection and resection of the pretarsal tissue or the orbital septum, resulting in ectopic adhesion between the levator aponeurosis and the skin, often accompanied by a high double - eyelid fold or sunken upper eyelid. Treatment options include direct excision of the skin with ectopic adhesions (suitable for patients with sufficient upper eyelid skin), injecting fillers or fat grafts (but may make the multiple creases more visible if not handled properly), and releasing the ectopic adhesion between the levator aponeurosis and skin while preserving enough pretarsal tissue to prevent re - formation of adhesions.
- High Double - Eyelid Fold: Patients with high double - eyelid folds often also have sunken upper eyelids, multiple creases, etc. This often happens when patients strive for European eye shapes while ignoring ethnic anatomical differences. Asians are characterized by a shorter distance between the eyebrow and the eye, and thicker orbicularis oculi muscle, retro - orbicularis oculi fat, and orbital septum. When the double - eyelid crease is too high, the thick subcutaneous soft tissue will make the crease move down and compress the pretarsal skin, giving the appearance of a “flesh strip,” and may also cause mild ptosis. Treatment involves resection of a part of the upper eyelid skin if it is relatively loose, or tissue transfer if the skin is insufficient to prevent re - adhesion and re - form the double - eyelid fold at a lower position.
- Disappearance of the Double - Eyelid Crease: A common complication in clinical practice. It is usually a dynamic process of the fold getting shallow, moving downward, and finally disappearing. It can be caused by improper operation (unstable and inefficient connection between the levator aponeurosis and skin) or patient factors such as frequent facial expressions or hyperactivity of the orbital muscles. Preoperatively, factors that might negatively affect the prognosis should be identified and eliminated, such as injecting botulinum toxin into the forehead to inhibit the frontalis muscle activity if it is hyperactive.
Hyaluronic Acid Dark - Circle Removal from the Eyes
What is Hyaluronic Acid and How Does it Work for Dark - Circle Removal?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body, especially in the skin, connective tissues, and eyes. It has excellent water - retaining properties, which can help hydrate the skin, increase skin volume, and improve skin elasticity. When used for dark - circle removal from the eyes, hyaluronic acid is injected into the under - eye area. It fills in the hollows under the eyes, reduces the appearance of shadows that cause dark circles, and improves the overall texture and appearance of the skin around the eyes.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Dark - Circle Removal
One of the main benefits is its non - invasive nature compared to surgical procedures. The treatment is relatively quick, with minimal downtime. Patients can usually resume their normal activities shortly after the injection. Hyaluronic acid is also biocompatible, meaning it is well - tolerated by the body and has a low risk of allergic reactions. It can provide immediate results, making the under - eye area look more refreshed and youthful. Additionally, the effects of hyaluronic acid are temporary, which allows patients to assess the results and decide if they want to continue with further treatments.
Procedure and Considerations
Before the injection, the doctor will typically assess the patient's skin condition, the severity of the dark circles, and the underlying causes. A topical anesthetic may be applied to minimize discomfort during the injection. The hyaluronic acid is then carefully injected into the specific areas under the eyes using a fine needle. After the procedure, patients may experience some mild swelling, bruising, or redness, which usually subside within a few days. It is important to follow the doctor's post - treatment instructions, such as avoiding excessive sun exposure, not rubbing the injected area, and using cold compresses if recommended.
Dr. Lu Kaihua's Double - Eyelid Cases and Their Significance
Quality and Innovation in Dr. Lu Kaihua's Double - Eyelid Surgeries
Dr. Lu Kaihua's double - eyelid cases are likely to stand out in New York City due to several factors. In terms of quality, Dr. Lu may have a high success rate in achieving natural - looking double - eyelid results. This could involve carefully considering the patient's facial features, ethnic background, and individual aesthetic preferences during the surgical planning process. For example, by using advanced surgical techniques, Dr. Lu might be able to create double - eyelid creases that are in harmony with the patient's overall facial contour, reducing the likelihood of esthetic complications such as asymmetry or a high - double - eyelid fold.
Innovation could also be a key aspect. Dr. Lu may be at the forefront of adopting new technologies or surgical methods. This could include minimally invasive techniques that result in shorter recovery times and less scarring for patients. Additionally, Dr. Lu might be using personalized treatment plans based on the latest research in eyelid anatomy and physiology, ensuring that each patient's double - eyelid surgery is tailored to their specific needs.
Relation to the Rankings of Doctors for Hyaluronic Acid Dark - Circle Removal
There could be several ways in which Dr. Lu Kaihua's double - eyelid cases are related to the rankings of doctors for hyaluronic acid dark - circle removal. Firstly, patients who are considering double - eyelid surgery may also be interested in improving the appearance of their under - eye area. Dr. Lu, if he also offers hyaluronic acid dark - circle removal treatments, can provide a comprehensive aesthetic solution for these patients. This integrated approach could potentially enhance his reputation and increase his standing in the rankings.
Secondly, the skills and expertise required for double - eyelid surgery, such as precise tissue manipulation and an understanding of facial aesthetics, may also be transferable to hyaluronic acid injections for dark - circle removal. A doctor who is highly skilled in double - eyelid surgery may have a better understanding of the delicate anatomy around the eyes and be more adept at injecting hyaluronic acid in a way that achieves optimal results. This synergy between the two procedures could contribute to Dr. Lu's competitiveness in the rankings of doctors for hyaluronic acid dark - circle removal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, double - eyelid surgery and hyaluronic acid dark - circle removal from the eyes are both important cosmetic procedures in New York City. Double - eyelid surgery has deep - seated cultural and medical motivations, with various types and potential complications. Hyaluronic acid dark - circle removal offers a non - invasive way to improve the appearance of the under - eye area. Dr. Lu Kaihua's double - eyelid cases, with their potential for high - quality and innovative approaches, can have a significant impact on the field. Whether through providing comprehensive aesthetic solutions for patients or demonstrating transferable skills, they may be closely related to the rankings of doctors for hyaluronic acid dark - circle removal.
If you are interested in learning more about double - eyelid surgery, hyaluronic acid dark - circle removal, or Dr. Lu Kaihua's work, we encourage you to consult a professional cosmetic surgeon. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific needs and goals. Share this article with others who may be interested in these topics to spread knowledge about these important cosmetic procedures.
