Gender Must Be Considered When Performing Upper Eyelid Lifts, Says Facial Specialist Dr. Norman Pastorek

NEW YORK, May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Noted New York plastic surgeon Dr. Norman Pastorek uses different techniques for upper eyelid lifts based on the gender of his patients. This approach preserves the inherent differences in the facial structure of men and women.

"The male eyelid has a distinctively different look than does the female eyelid," says Dr. Pastorek. "One of biggest errors an aesthetic surgeon can make is to apply the techniques of female eyelid rejuvenation to the male eyelid, creating a feminine-looking result."

The aging process tends to create the same issues in men and women—hanging skin at the outer corner of the eye, less visible lids, and fat herniation in the central portion and the inside corner of the upper lid. However, men and women generally have different goals for an upper eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), says Dr. Pastorek. While women often seek to reclaim a more youthful look with sculpted upper lids, men frequently seek to correct problems with vision caused by drooping lids. Cultural interpretations also come into play, as the visible signs of aging in a man are often viewed with respect, being equated positively with maturity and wisdom.

The goal for a male upper eyelid lift is a natural appearance that retains the heavier masculine characteristics while providing the necessary correction. Dr. Pastorek explains that the male blepharoplasty needs to be a more conservative procedure than that performed on a woman, leaving some of the redundant skin and fat in place. 

Eyelid lifts differ for men and women because of several anatomical differences:

• The male eyelid is fuller than the female lid, even in youth
• The male eyelid is sometimes barely noticeable
• The male brow is lower than the female brow

It is also important to exercise restraint when performing upper eyelid lifts on women, says Dr. Pastorek, because removing too much fat and skin can actually make a woman appear older. This effect, called an "A-frame deformity," can be avoided by sculpting the outer corner of the eyelid while leaving some fat in the central upper lid. The goal of the procedure for a woman is to make the eyes appear open and alert; the youthful female eyelid has a well-defined cleft, with about 1/4 inch of visible lid between the eyelash margin and the lid crease. There should be no puffiness or hanging skin.

Successful cosmetic surgery requires technical skill and keen aesthetic judgment. As the eyelid skin is the thinnest in the body, blepharoplasty requires a high degree of expertise. Men or women interested in an upper eyelid lift should consult with a skilled and experienced facial plastic surgeon to ensure that the correct surgical approach will be developed.

About Dr. Pastorek: A top facial plastic surgeon in New York City, Norman Pastorek, M.D., P.C., F.A.C.S., has been elected by his peers to The Best Doctors in America® and Castle Connolly's America's Top Doctors® every year since the inception of these guides. In 2011, he was also named to U.S. News & World Report's Top Doctors list. His office is at 12 East 88th Street, New York, New York 10128. Reach him at http://www.normanpastorekmd.com or call (212) 987-4700.

Media Contact: Janice Pastorek at http://www.normanpastorekmd.com/ or (212) 987-4700.

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SOURCE Dr. Norman Pastorek