Dr. Donald R. Collins Jr., MD

During a blepharoplasty, tiny incisions are made under local anesthesia, and any excess skin or underlying tissue is removed from the eyelids. The procedure takes between one and three hours, and patients may have bruising and swelling around their eyes for a few days afterwards. Icing the area may help.

The surgery is sometimes done along with other facial surgery as part of a facelift. Typically, a blepharoplasty is considered cosmetic. In severe cases, however, upper eyelids may droop so significantly that they make it hard to see. In these cases, blepharoplasty may be considered a necessary treatment.

During dermabrasion, a nurse or other healthcare professional holds the skin taut so that the doctor can apply gentle but constant pressure on the skin using the device. Depending on how much skin needs treatment, it may take a few minutes to over an hour to complete the surgery.

A waxy or moist dressing is placed on the skin at the end of the procedure. The treated area will be red and swollen for about two to three weeks. Itchiness and tingling will likely be present for some time. Although less common, enlarged pores, cold sores, rashes, and permanent skin discoloration may also occur. Normal activities may be resumed about two weeks following dermabrasion. However, swimming in chlorinated water and sports that involve the use of balls should be avoided for four to six weeks.

Rhinoplasty may also be done to correct a deviated septum or other breathing impairment. In that case, the nasal structure is adjusted so that airflow is increased to a comfortable level.

Typically, rhinoplasty is only performed on adults because kids' and teens' faces are still growing and changing. After a rhinoplasty, healing will take 1-2 weeks, but subtle shifts in the face and occasional swelling can last up to a year.