The eyes age in more than one plane. Skin thins and wrinkles, fat shifts forward, lids become heavy, and texture becomes crepey or sun-damaged. No single procedure can correct all of these changes at once, which is why the most exceptional results often come from combining blepharoplasty with fractionated CO₂ laser resurfacing.
At New York Eye & Face, this tailored combination is a cornerstone of Dr. Anaïs Carniciu’s approach to comprehensive eye rejuvenation. Her expertise is grounded in both ophthalmic surgery and aesthetic facial procedures, providing her with unique insight into how the eyelids function, heal, and age, and how to correct those changes without compromising your natural expression or lid mechanics.
Below, we explore why these two treatments work so beautifully together, and why specialist-led planning is essential when rejuvenating the most delicate area of the face.
Blepharoplasty Corrects Structure While CO₂ Laser Corrects Skin
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes or repositions excess skin and fat around the eyelids, helping to restore their natural contour. This procedure effectively addresses issues such as:
- Heaviness
- Hooding
- Bags under the eyes caused by structural changes
CO₂ laser resurfacing is a treatment that enhances skin texture, reduces wrinkles, improves pigmentation, and promotes the quality of collagen. It effectively targets problems like:
- Crepiness
- Fine lines
- Sun damage
- Skin laxity
Scientific studies confirm that periocular aging results from combined fat prolapse, bone remodeling, and dermatochalasis, not just surface-level concerns. Meanwhile, fractionated CO₂ lasers have been shown to stimulate neocollagenesis and improve wrinkles, pigmentation, and elasticity. When paired, these treatments rejuvenate the full spectrum of age-related changes around the eyes.
How Blending Treatments Enhances Your Outcome
1. Preventing Overcorrection
- Removing too much skin during lower eyelid surgery can create tightness or alter lid shape
- By incorporating CO₂ laser resurfacing to tighten and refine mild-to-moderate crepiness, Dr. Carniciu removes only what is truly necessary, preserving natural eyelid function and appearance
2. Achieving Smooth Contours
- The CO₂ laser tightens and improves the texture of the skin, creating a seamless transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek
- Because this area contains some of the thinnest, most delicate skin on the body, refining its quality is essential for achieving a soft, natural contour
3. Reducing the Risk of Filler Misuse
- Many patients seek treatment after years of trying to correct under-eye bags or crepey skin with filler alone
- Since fillers cannot address herniated fat or significant laxity, and may worsen puffiness in the periorbital region, combining blepharoplasty with CO₂ resurfacing treats the actual cause and avoids an overfilled appearance
4. Minimizing Recovery
- A combined approach consolidates healing into a single recovery period
- Surgical improvements are complemented by enhanced skin quality from the laser, giving patients smoother, longer-lasting results without multiple downtime windows
What to Expect From Your Experience
- Performed in-office under local anesthesia with or without IV sedation
- Upper and/or lower blepharoplasty is completed first
- Fractionated CO₂ laser follows to improve skin texture and tighten remaining laxity
- Most procedures take 60–90 minutes, depending on the extent of treatment
- Swelling and bruising peak within the first week
- Laser-treated skin requires healing ointment for 5–7 days
- Most patients return to work in 7–10 days (sedentary roles)
- Makeup is typically avoided for 2–3 weeks
- Collagen continues improving for 6–9 months
The Eye Area Requires Subspecialty Skill. That’s Why Specialist-Led Treatment Planning Matters.
Periocular structures are biomechanically complex, and the margin for error is extremely small. Eyelid position, blink mechanics, and corneal protection depend on millimeter-level precision. Ablating or removing the wrong amount of tissue, either surgically or with a laser, can lead to dryness, exposure, or unnatural shape changes.
This is where Dr. Carniciu’s experience becomes invaluable:
- Advanced microsurgical training: Her background includes rigorous ophthalmic surgical training before her specialization in oculoplastic and facial procedures.
- High-volume eyelid experience: She has performed thousands of periocular treatments, providing her with a nuanced understanding of how eyelid anatomy varies from patient to patient.
- Expertise in complex and revision cases: She routinely treats patients with complications from previous surgeries or fillers, giving her the insight needed to prevent those complications in the first place.
If you’re ready to explore a customized approach to eye rejuvenation, we invite you to schedule a private consultation at New York Eye & Face today.
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