Chemical blepharoplasty at a glance
- What it is: non-surgical eyelid rejuvenation with a deep phenol-based peel (Lip & Eyelid Formula – 60% phenol and 1% croton oil, a Class IIa medical device), combined with botulinum toxin
- What is treated: fine lines and wrinkles of the eyelids and the eye area, hyperpigmentation, keratoses, and sagging of the upper and lower eyelids
- Preparation: for expression lines, botulinum toxin is given about 8 days before the peel
- Technique: quick and bloodless; requires a doctor experienced in working with phenol
- Result: excellent for fine lines and wrinkles; for prominent fat pads of the lower eyelids, surgical blepharoplasty is the better choice
- Price: see the price list
What is chemical blepharoplasty?
Chemical blepharoplasty is a non-surgical technique for rejuvenating the eye area with a deep chemical peel based on phenol. It uses Lip & Eyelid Formula – a formulation of 60% phenol and 1% croton oil, registered as a Class IIa medical device and intended for the delicate skin of the eyelids. The technique is relatively simple, quick and does not cause bleeding. It is intended for patients who want rejuvenated eyelids without surgery, in the hands of a doctor experienced in performing peels, and in using phenol in particular.
Why is it combined with botulinum toxin?
Fine lines, wrinkles, furrows and folds do not respond to a phenol peel in the same way. Wrinkles caused by long-term sun damage respond best, while expression lines – such as the lines around the eyes formed by smiling – also give excellent results, provided that muscle movement is first blocked with botulinum toxin, approximately 8 days before the peel. Without this combination, kinetic wrinkles disappear during the first weeks after the peel, but then return.
Just as important is what is not done: botulinum toxin is not injected during the immediate post-peel period, while redness and oedema are present, because that increases the risk of undesirable migration of the toxin and temporary cosmetic complications.
Who is a candidate, and when is surgery the better choice?
Chemical blepharoplasty is ideal for patients who do not want surgery, and in the hands of a doctor experienced in working with phenol it carries a low rate of both local and general complications. Results are excellent for fine lines and wrinkles. With prominent fat pads on the lower eyelids (under-eye bags) or a large amount of excess skin, the results of the chemical technique are inadequate – in those cases surgical blepharoplasty is indicated. Whether you are a candidate for the chemical or the surgical option is assessed at the consultation.
What does the treatment involve?
After skin preparation, Lip & Eyelid Formula is applied to the eyelids. During a phenol peel it is extremely important to check for tears and to wipe each one away with a new cotton pad. Once the eyelid application is finished, and before any occlusion is applied (occlusion deepens the effect of the peel compared with unoccluded skin), an evening-out peel is applied to the rest of the face to prevent demarcation lines: patients with a lighter skin type may receive four weekly sessions of Easy TCA Classic/Pain Control or a single session of Easy Phen Light.
Recovery and aftercare
After a deep phenol peel, redness, swelling and peeling of the skin are expected in the days and weeks that follow, so recovery is longer than with superficial peels and is planned individually. High-factor sun protection (SPF 50) and strict sun avoidance for 6-8 weeks after the treatment are mandatory – see our pages on skincare after peels and SPF protection for details.
Results: before and after
Applied to the eyelids, Lip & Eyelid Formula successfully treats wrinkles and fine lines, hyperpigmentation, keratoses, and sagging of the upper and lower eyelids. The same principle applies to chemical cheiloplasty – the treatment of deep wrinkles around the lips, an effective alternative to other aesthetic procedures for this area.
How much does chemical blepharoplasty cost?
The price depends on the scope of the treatment and is assessed at the consultation, together with the preparation and aftercare plan. See the price list for our general service prices.
Published in ESTETIC Magazine
Dr Nenad Stanković wrote about this technique in the special issue of ESTETIC Magazine dedicated to aesthetic medicine for men (Hors Série N°5, 2022-2023), in the expert article „BTX-A and Chemical Blepharoplasty – An indispensable ally for long lasting results after Chemical Blepharoplasty“. You can download the original article, in French and English, as a PDF.
Download the original article (PDF)
Frequently asked questions about chemical blepharoplasty
Is chemical blepharoplasty a replacement for surgery?
For fine lines and wrinkles it gives excellent results without surgery. With prominent fat pads of the lower eyelids or a large amount of excess skin, surgical blepharoplasty is the better choice – the assessment is made at the consultation.
Is the treatment safe?
The rate of local and general complications is low when the treatment is performed by a doctor experienced in peels and in the use of phenol. That is why the choice of doctor is crucial.
Why is botulinum toxin given before, not after, the peel?
Expression lines give the best results when muscle movement is blocked about 8 days before the peel. Injecting the toxin while redness and oedema are present after the peel increases the risk of undesirable migration of the toxin.
How long is the recovery?
Longer than with superficial peels; the exact course depends on the depth of the treatment and is assessed individually. SPF 50 protection and sun avoidance for 6-8 weeks are mandatory.
Which areas can be treated?
The upper and lower eyelids and the eye area; the same formula is used for deep wrinkles around the lips (chemical cheiloplasty).
References
- Deprez P. Textbook of Chemical Peels: Superficial, Medium, and Deep Peels in Cosmetic Practice. CRC Press; 2017.
- Gatti JE. Eyelid phenol peel: an important adjunct to blepharoplasty. Ann Plast Surg. 2008;60(1):14-18. doi:10.1097/SAP.0b013e31805003aa. PMID: 18281788.
Read more
- Chemical peel: restoring skin texture and tone
- Easy TCA Peel: a peel for photo-damaged skin
- Fotona SmoothEye: laser eyelid tightening
- Botox: smoothing expression lines
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