It’s been said that the eyes are mirrors of the soul, but nowadays they are even more important in reflecting how we are perceived and how we express ourselves. When many of us spend much of our lives masked and socially distant, it’s no wonder that people are paying more attention to their eyes. Eyelid rejuvenation is more popular than ever, often with a facelift. Zoom consults are driving demand in facelifts, even with the “improve my appearance” filter (it’s in your video settings). Nothing like staring at your on-camera face to bring to light every little sign of aging, as I’ll
surely attest. The opportunity for discreet recovery with a mask provides plausible deniability too. For the upper face and eyes, it’s all about looking refreshed. No one wants to look tired even if they are!
How Botox helps mood and appearance
Botox is back big time. Mostly it is used in the upper face anyway, and it’s a quick fix without downtime. Increasingly we are finding that Botox isn’t just a wrinkle relaxer though; it actually helps many people deal with stress. This has been known for some time, and validated by clinical studies. One explanation is that by relaxing the muscle that furrows the brow, it interrupts the feedback loop of experiencing stress. When you can’t express worry as completely, the stress level is reduced. People perceive you as less tired and more engaging, even if they can’t see your smile. Botox is becoming the Prozac of the 21st century, with the added benefit of improving appearance. Whether you feel good because you look good or the other way around, either way it works.
Fillers such as Juvederm Voluma have an outsized impact these days too. It needn’t be dramatic, but much of the tired and aged look around the eyes can be reversed with a little bit of discreetly placed volume.
Perfect time to consider eyelid surgery
Fillers and Botox are both excellent maintenance and rejuvenation strategies, but eyelid surgery and brow lifts are making a surprising comeback too. Brow shape is vital to a youthful and attractive appearance, at any age. (See my recent post on the “phibrow.”) Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is the best option in many cases, and a consultation will determine whether it is right for you. [link to B&A bleph pics https://www.drbaxter.com/gallery/eyelid-surgery *]
Ultimately it’s all about balance, making whatever you do worth it without overdoing it. This is no time for the fake look but high time to look your best.
