No one likes feeling older, and no one wants to appear older than they are. Though no one can stop the clock, aging does not have to leave you feeling unattractive, sickly, or depressed. One of the ways you can look and feel younger is by taking advantage of our treatment for Festoons.
What are Festoons?
Some people call them puffy eyes or severe bags, but Festoons, or Malar Mounds, are skin and muscle folds that swell and sag below the lower eyelids and upper cheek area. Often Festoons look like a drape that is hung from one corner of the eye to another, with the lowest part hanging on the cheek. Patients may have a single festoon, multiple ones, and they may occur under one eye or both. These under-eye bags can result in a tired, older-looking, and even unhealthy appearance.
It is important to note that these are not bags under the eyes but are bags which actually sit below the eyelids. They are NOT due to herniated fat as is typical of eye bags and they do NOT get better with conventional cosmetic lower eyelid surgery. Many of our patients ask if regular lower-eyelid surgery is an option and we strongly discourage this form of treatment. Just to repeat because this is important, lower-eyelid or eye bag surgery does not treat festoons as this condition is not under the eyelid but under the eye itself. For this reason, treatment needs to go further than the eyelid. Lower-eyelid surgery often ends with the patient’s bags becoming more prominent in cases where Festoons are present.
What causes Festoons and why you should treat them?
As we age, the elasticity in our skin decreases naturally and can result in fatty pockets developing around the eyes, mouth, chin and neck area. Some people can have a genetic predisposition to Festoons, but they can be caused by other factors such as muscle laxity, smoking, or sun damage to the fragile skin under the lower eyelids and above the cheek region. Festoons can also be the result of a structural problem beneath the surface of the eyelid which is why eye creams and external treatments offer limited results if this condition is caused by soft tissue and structural problems.
The benefits of treating Festoons are the elimination of puffiness around the eyelids by correcting lower bags and circles resulting in smoother, brighter skin with a more youthful appearance.
Diagnosis
Festoons can be a very, very difficult condition to treat and we believe this should only be done by a qualified and licensed professional as it can easily be mismanaged with an over-correction or under-correction. After consultation and thorough examination with our staff, we will be able to understand the cause of your Festoons and determine the best treatment option for you.
Treatment
There are many treatment options for Festoons depending on the severity and cause of the condition. As mentioned before, those who have conditions in very early stages may only experience limited results with topical creams. These creams are not a long-term treatment option.
We do not believe that Botox and steroid injections, fillers, or fat transfer procedures are useful treatments for festoons and, in fact, may noticeably worsen their appearance. Non-surgical options such as Radio Frequency microneedling or laser treatments may be tried and may be beneficial if the festoons are mild.
However, the most common and effective treatment option we recommend is SOOF Lift (or a Mid Face Lift) treatment. A SOOF lift is a form of a facelift procedure known as a suborbicularis oculi fat lift, which is commonly used to reduce physical signs of aging. During your SOOF lift procedure, an incision will be made below the eyelid and extend into the cheek area to remove, tighten, or reattach tissues to your facial bones.
Unlike bags under the eyes, cosmetic eyelid surgery alone will not treat Festoons completely. For this reason, we believe the SOOF Lift performed by a very experienced oculofacial plastic surgeon familiar with the procedure offers the best chances of achieving lasting success.
What you can expect?
Recovery can take several weeks, and patients should expect some limitations on their normal routine. You should arrange for a friend or family to bring you to and from surgery. Limited reading, TV watching, or usage of electronics may be required to reduce strain and allow your eyes to properly recover. The length of recovery will vary depending on the specifics of your procedure. Your doctor will instruct you with post-operative care and let you know when it is okay to resume daily activities.
We believe in making our clients feel respected, comfortable, and assured that we have their best interests in mind. If you would like to learn more about our treatment options for Festoons and how we can help you, please contact Kass Center For Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery today.