I am often asked by my Beverly Hills patients if it is the “right time” to have a certain procedure, or if they have “time to wait”. Certainly, this is a very personal issue and depends on many factors. Having a facial feature that you have never liked, as with a large nose or a receding chin, will never improve with time. So it amounts to deciding on the cost/benfit ratio and if you have the time available to recover. These patients also tend to worry that they may wind up looking worse than before. Consequently, they are torn between their desire for change and the fear of the unknown and tend to procrastinate. To these patients I say that plastic surgery, if done properly by a competent surgeon who understands your goals, will make you look better and will blend harmoniously with your other facial features. Surprisingly, though the result may be quite dramatic to the patient, it is rarely that evident to friends, colleagues and even family, especially if the patient changes their hairstyle, shaves off a moustache or does something else to alter their appearance in another way.
When we consider rejuvenative procedures such as face and neck lifts or eyelid surgery, there are some who think earlier is better and some who think just the opposite. Those who favor the earlier approach argue that the change tends to be less dramatic and, therefore, less obvious. On the other hand, those who favor waiting till it’s unbearable to look in the mirror or uncomfortable to wear tight collars think you get  more “bang for your buck” by waiting. My personal opinion is that you should try to look as good as you can for as long as you can. Since youthful skin has more elastic fibers and better collagen, it tends to re-drape and conform better producing a more rested and healthier appearance. And having a procedure earlier rather than later, allows you to enjoy the benefits for a longer period.

To this end, we like to see smooth skin without wrinkles or puffiness for both the upper and lower eyelids. There should be a crisp crease between the upper eyelashes and eyebrow, and the eyebrow should have a nice smooth arch about ½  inch above the bony rim. Obviously, allergies or any other inflammatory condition that affects the whites of the eyes would detract from an otherwise positive impression and should be corrected.

Generally, we like the outside corner of the eye to be slightly higher than the inside corner. The highpoint of the brow arch is most pleasing if it is somewhere between this outside corner and the iris or colored portion of the eye. Also, the eyebrow should start and end at the same horizontal level. We also like to see the distance between the two eyes approximately equal to one eye width.

Though many of us are born with naturally beautiful eyes, much can be accomplished with the appropriate use of make-up and the appropriate surgical procedure(s), if indicated.