How to alleviate the appearance of Sunken Eyes with Non-surgical and Surgical Plastic Surgery Procedures
When it comes to visible signs of ageing, sunken eyes are a common cosmetic issue that affects many people. With ageing, the area around the eyes can become hollow-appearing and sunken due to loss of facial fat and reduced skin elasticity.
Some people have sunken eyes that have occurred or gotten worse as a result of previous cosmetic surgery treatment. If you have had lower eyelid surgery that was poorly performed or too aggressive, hollow-looking eyes can occur as a result. Sunken eyes can also occur as a consequence of surgery to reduce the appearance of eye bags if too much of the fat in the under-eye area is removed, making the darker colour of the muscle and tissue under the thin skin more visible. Fortunately, no matter the cause of your sunken eyes, there are multiple plastic surgery solutions to correct sunken eyes and alter your eye contour.
As a Specialist Plastic Surgeon located in Sydney, Dr Michael Kernohan has years of in-depth experience in eyelid surgery and facial cosmetic procedures to alleviate the appearance of hollow or sunken-looking eyes. He will work alongside you to create an individualised plan.
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Less Invasive Solutions to Treat Sunken Eyes
Volumising Treatment
A common option for alleviating the appearance of sunken eyes is the use of volumising treatments. This is a popular option for those that desire changes but are reluctant to have invasive surgery.
we offer consultations for volumising treatments designed to address areas where volume may have naturally diminished due to ageing or lifestyle factors. These treatments are aimed at altering the appearance of your facial contours, increasing fullness to key areas such as the cheeks, lips, and under the eyes.
Our experienced team of medical professionals, including surgeons, nurses, and dermal clinicians, will work with you to determine the most suitable treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. All procedures are conducted in a sterile, clinical environment, ensuring the highest standards of care and patient safety.
It is important to note that the products used in our treatments are subject to strict regulatory guidelines by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). To maintain full compliance with TGA regulations, we do not advertise specific products, prices, or pre/post-treatment photos online or in promotional materials. These details will be discussed during your personal consultation.
We are committed to providing a responsible and transparent approach to all of our treatments, ensuring that you receive the highest quality care in a professional setting.
For more information, please contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our qualified practitioners.
Recovery from Volumising Treatments
Once treatment is complete, patients may experience bruising in the delicate skin around the eye area. For most people, this bruising will fade within one week following the procedure, and applying cool packs and resting will help the tissue to heal.
For most people results will last between six and twelve months. After this time, you will need to undergo another treatment to maintain the results. The longevity of your results from treatment depends on a range of individual factors, including:
- The health of your skin
- The specifics of treatment (amount and type of product used)
- Your age and degree of eye hollowness
Facial Fat Grafting (Autologous Fat Injections)
Another, longer-lasting option for sunken eyes is facial fat grafting. While facial fat grafting is more invasive than Volumising treatments, it produces results that are more long-lasting.
During facial fat grafting, Dr Kernohan will collect fat from a donor area of the body such as the stomach or thighs. This “excess” fat is then treated and injected into the area around the eyes to alleviate the appearance of sunken eyes.
The final results from having facial fat grafting can take as long as 3-4 months. This is because the transplanted fat needs time to reconnect to your body’s blood supply. Not all of the fat cells will survive the fat grafting procedure, but Dr Kernohan makes sure to transfer enough fat cells to ensure long-lasting results. Results vary and further treatments are sometimes needed.
The potential benefits of having facial fat grafting include:
- Longer-lasting (and sometimes permanent) results
- No need to take a lot of time off work
- Reduction of fat from another area, such as the thighs or stomach
- Reduced dark circles under the eyes due to the protective layer of fat
Surgical Solutions to Correct Sunken Eyes
Lower Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelid Surgery)
If your sunken eyes are caused by issues such as loose skin, excessive under-eye bags or lower eyelid ptosis, lower blepharoplasty surgery may be an appropriate option for you. A lower blepharoplasty, or lower eyelid surgery, helps to alter the appearance of excess skin around the eyelids which can be caused by changes in fat tissue and skin elasticity due to ageing.
Depending on the shape of your under-eye area, under eye bags and dark circles can cause you to appear tired and un-alert, even if you have made sure to get a full eight hours of sleep!
It can be hard to know exactly which procedure to choose when it comes to alleviating hollow-looking eyes. That’s why it’s always a good idea to consult with an experienced Plastic Surgeon, such as Dr Michael Kernohan, who will use his knowledge to provide you with the guidance and education you need to make a well-informed choice.
Lower blepharoplasty surgery can help to:
- Reduce loose skin in the under-eye area
- Alter the contour of the under-eye area and reduce under-eye bags
- Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
- Remove excess or bulging fat in the under-eye area
- alleviate the appearance of excess, loose skin or down turning of the lower eyelid
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Lower Blepharoplasty Consultation with Dr Michael Kernohan
With his extensive experience in performing lower eyelid surgery, Dr Kernohan knows that every person requires a unique approach. In your consultation, Dr Kernohan will ask you about your goals, insecurities, medical history and concerns.
Dr Kernohan will use this information to make sure that lower blepharoplasty is the right surgery for you, and he will also help to address any questions you might have about the procedure or results. Next, Dr Kernohan will create an individualised plan for your lower blepharoplasty surgery, which will help you to address your sunken eyes and any other cosmetic goals you might have.
What to Expect On the Day of Your Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery
Usually, Dr Kernohan performs lower blepharoplasty surgery as a day procedure. He uses local anaesthesia to reduce discomfort during your surgery.
You will need a support person who can take you home after your procedure has finished, as you will not be able to drive right away after your lower blepharoplasty. Lower blepharoplasty surgery requires some amount of downtime after the procedure, there may be some discomfort in the days following your surgery. You might experience side effects of the surgery, such as:
- Watery or sensitive eyes
- Changes in your vision, such as blurry vision or double vision
- Discomfort in bright light
- Bruising or swelling in the area around the eyes
- Discomfort in the sensitive skin under the eyes
Making the Decision to Have Plastic Surgery to Alleviate Sunken Eyes
Make sure to choose an experienced plastic surgeon, such as Dr Michael Kernohan, when you are researching who you would like to perform your procedure. Researching surgeon experience and qualifications is one of the best ways to make sure that your plastic surgery journey and your results are aligned with your body and goals.
When you are choosing a surgeon to perform your plastic surgery procedure for sunken eyes, make sure that they:
- Are highly experienced in performing the specific procedure you would like to have
- Are happy to answer any of your questions and provide you information about your procedure
- Have before and after pictures of patient results available upon request
- Are a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
To help you carry out your own research, we recommend reading through the information provided on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
FAQs about Solutions for Sunken Eyes
Can Lower Blepharoplasty be performed with another procedure?
There are many complimentary plastic surgery procedures which can be done in conjunction with a lower blepharoplasty depending on your goals, either on the day or at a later date as a part of your treatment plan. These include:
- Fat grafting to alter eye contour, or to increase volume in other areas of the face for a more balanced results
- A brow lift to alter the appearance of the upper face
- Volumising Treatment
- A surgical facelift to reduce excess skin
If you are unsure if you should undergo a Lower Blepharoplasty alone or another procedure with your lower blepharoplasty surgery, or if you are unsure which plastic surgery procedure is right for you, Dr Kernohan is happy to provide you with guidance and evidence-based suggestions.
How is the Lower Blepharoplasty recovery?
- Dr Kernohan recommends resting and relaxing in the days after your lower blepharoplasty so that your body can recover and heal. Before your lower blepharoplasty surgery, Dr Kernohan and his team will advise you on the best ways to remain comfortable and optimise healing whilst you are recovering from your procedure.
Further Reading about Eye Plastic Surgery Procedures
- Upper Eyelid Surgery page
- How to Fix Tired Eyes
- Blepharoplasty VS Forehead Lift
- Recovery after Eyelid Lift Surgery
- Eyelid Surgery in Your 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s
