Non-Surgical Eyelid
What Is It?
In the non-surgical eyelid treatment, the device converts the gas in the air into plasma energy and creates controlled micro-points in the outermost layer of the skin. The skin contracts instantly at these points. As it heals, the tissue tightens within itself and the feeling of excess on the lid lessens.
There is no incision and no stitches. In this respect it differs from eyelid surgery. But “non-surgical” does not mean it is equivalent to surgery. Once the excess passes a certain limit, this method no longer responds, and the right course is a surgical assessment. We make this distinction at the very start of the consultation.
How Is It Done?
At the assessment we look at the amount of excess on the upper lid, how much the brow position contributes, and the thickness of the skin. Is the complaint coming from the lid skin or from a dropped brow? This distinction decides the method, because a lid treatment does not help when the problem comes from the brow. We also note your skin type and any tendency to pigmentation.
During the treatment we numb the area locally and apply the plasma energy point by point. Small brown dots form on the skin. A session takes about 30 minutes on average. We usually plan 1-3 sessions and wait for the skin to heal completely between them.
Who Is It For?
It suits patients who describe mild or moderate excess skin on the upper eyelid, who say their make-up disappears into the lid crease, and who do not want surgery or for whom surgery is still too early. Knowing from the start that there will be a few days with crusts during healing makes planning easier.
Where the excess is advanced, where marked sagging covers the lid, or where the visual field is affected, a surgical assessment comes first. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active infection or an open wound in the area, a tendency to keloid scarring, uncontrolled chronic illness, medication that causes sensitivity to light, and a tendency to pigmentation in darker skin change the planning. If your skin is tanned or it is summer, I decide the timing.
Process & Recovery
Assessment
We look at the amount of excess, how much the brow position contributes, skin thickness and any tendency to pigmentation. This is where we answer the question of surgery or this method, and we take photographs.
Treatment day
We numb the area locally. We apply the plasma energy point by point, and small brown dots form on the skin. A session takes about 30 minutes on average.
First 48 hours
Swelling of the lids is an expected response and is more noticeable in the mornings. We advise against make-up, rubbing and getting the area wet. Cold compresses help.
Days 5-7
The brown crusts fall off on their own during this period. We ask you not to pick them, to protect the area from the sun and to keep moisturising.
Weeks 1-2 and review
Mild redness may continue during this time. We assess the result at the review. If an extra session is needed, we plan it once the skin has fully recovered.
Results & Duration
The tightening starts to be noticed once the crusts have fallen off. The result settles as the redness fades, on average within a few weeks. Don’t expect a dramatic opening of the eye. The change shows as a reduction in the feeling of excess on the lid.
The reported range of effect is 2-3 years. The skin keeps ageing, so the improvement does not last indefinitely; we plan a repeat as needed. In this area, sun protection is part of the result, especially in the period after the crusts have fallen off.
What Is Not Promised
This treatment does not take the place of eyelid surgery. Where the excess is advanced or the visual field is affected, it does not meet the expectation, and in that case the right course is a surgical assessment. It does not correct a dropped brow and has no effect on under-eye bags.
Healing is not quick. A few days with crusts and redness that can last 1-2 weeks are part of the process. We do not promise a particular degree of opening, number of sessions or duration. In darker skin types we discuss the possibility of temporary colour change separately. That is why we make sun protection a condition.
Key Benefits
- Non-surgical solution
- Point-by-point application
- Short procedure
“Many of my patients mention a complaint about their eyelids, and some of them are wary of surgery. Done on the right patient in the right way, plasma treatment gives quite decent results. Someone who hears “non-surgical”, though, plans a meeting for the next day, when there are five days of crusts; we discuss this from the start.”
— Dr. Sinan Akyürek
Frequently Asked Questions
How does non-surgical eyelid treatment work?
The device converts the gas in the air into plasma energy and creates controlled micro-points in the outermost layer of the skin. The skin contracts at these points, and the tissue tightens as it heals.
Does it replace surgery?
No. It comes up for mild and moderate excess. Where sagging is advanced or the visual field is affected, a surgical assessment comes first.
How long does healing take?
The brown crusts usually fall off in 5-7 days, and mild redness can last 1-2 weeks. I suggest you plan your social calendar around this.
Is it painful?
We numb the area locally. You may feel warmth and stinging during the treatment, and tightness for a few days afterwards.
How many sessions are needed?
We usually plan 1-3 sessions. We wait for the skin to heal completely between sessions.
How long does it last?
The reported range is 2-3 years. Because the skin keeps ageing, we plan a repeat as needed.
Can I pick the crusts off?
No. We wait for the crusts to fall off on their own. Picking them increases the risk of colour change and scarring.
Will it help my dropped brow?
It does not correct a dropped brow. This treatment deals with the lid skin. If the complaint comes from the level of the brow, the plan is different; we make this distinction at the consultation.