Rejuvenating the eye area is one of the most sought-after goals in aesthetic medicine. Two of the star treatments ✨ for achieving it are undoubtedly blepharoplasty and botulinum toxin. But one of the questions we are asked most often in our consultations is: can I have both? And in what order?
The answer is yes, but the order and, above all, the timing do not just matter – they are absolutely crucial for a successful, natural-looking result. At Clínica Ramírez & Gálvez, we prioritise safety and excellent results, which is why we want to clarify the golden rule for combining these two major treatments.
What Does Each Treatment Do? A Quick Reminder 🤔
To understand why the order is so important, let’s recall what each procedure does:
- Blepharoplasty: This is surgery that removes excess skin and/or fat pads from the eyelids (upper or lower), correcting a tired or aged appearance. It acts on the static structure. ✂️
- Botulinum Toxin (Botox): This is a neuromodulator that is injected to temporarily relax the muscles responsible for expression lines (crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead lines). It acts on muscle dynamics. 💉
The Order Dilemma: The “Illusion” Effect of Botulinum Toxin 🎭
This is the key to everything. When we apply botulinum toxin to the upper face (forehead and crow’s feet), we temporarily change the natural position of the eyebrows. Depending on the technique, the brow may lift subtly (creating a “lifting effect” ⬆️) or, in other cases, relax and drop slightly ⬇️.
This new position is temporary and is not the real, permanent anatomical position of your eyebrow.
Why Does This Affect Blepharoplasty Planning? 📏
A surgeon plans a blepharoplasty by measuring, to the millimetre, the amount of skin to be removed from the upper eyelid. This measurement is taken with your muscles and eyebrows in their natural, resting position.
- If the toxin has raised your eyebrow: The surgeon will see less excess skin on the eyelid than you actually have. If they operate at that point, they could remove less skin than necessary. The result would be poor and disappointing once the effect of the toxin wears off. 😕
- If the toxin has lowered your eyebrow: The surgeon might perceive more excess skin than there really is. This is even more dangerous ⚠️, as it could lead to excessive skin removal, with the risk of causing problems closing the eye (lagophthalmos) and other serious complications.
Operating while the toxin is still active is like measuring curtains for a window whose frame is temporarily crooked 🖼️. The final result, once everything returns to its place, will not be right.
The Golden Rule: The Waiting Time ⏳
For all these reasons, the rule is clear and non-negotiable:
You should wait at least 4 to 6 months 🗓️ after your last botulinum toxin treatment before undergoing blepharoplasty.
This is the time needed to ensure that the effect of the neuromodulator has completely worn off and that your facial muscles and eyebrows have returned to their baseline position. Only then can we carry out precise and safe surgical planning that gives you the best possible result.
And the Other Way Round? Toxin AFTER Blepharoplasty? 🔄
This combination is indeed possible and, in fact, highly recommended for an all-round result. Once blepharoplasty has dealt with the excess skin, the toxin can act on the expression lines (such as crow’s feet) that surgery does not remove.
In this case, you simply need to wait until the area has fully healed and the swelling has gone down, which usually happens between 1 and 3 months after surgery 🗓️, always depending on your surgeon’s assessment.
A Perfect Look Requires a Perfect Plan ✨
Combining treatments is an excellent strategy for all-round rejuvenation, but only when it is done with the right knowledge, order and timing. At Clínica Ramírez & Gálvez, our commitment is to you: to your safety, to natural-looking results and to excellence. 💖
If you are thinking about rejuvenating your eye area, book an assessment appointment. We will create a safe, personalised treatment plan for you. 👩⚕️