Starting to get sagging eyelids? Starting to get that hooded and/or droopy look? Up to now the only option was to have surgery and have some of the skin removed. The FDA has just approved Ultherapy ultrasound eyebrow lift for sagging eyelids.

The theory is that saggy or hooded eyelids are at least in part due to the collapse of the brow line. The idea is that if the brow is lifted then the eyelids are pulled up and so they are tighter.

If the eyelids can be pulled tighter by the lift then for some people this could replace surgery.

Exactly how does the Ultherapy Ultrasound System work?

According to the published papers on the system, it works by thermal injury zones and precise microcoagulation.

The information on the Ulthera website is a bit vague. My understanding is that basically a small targeted area is gently damaged. This damage causes tightening of the area and collagen production, by creating a small area of internal scarring.

The 30 minute procedure does not damage the skin and there may be a little puffiness and redness for an hour or two after the procedure.

This system will not replace surgery for removing skin of the eyelids, but for some it may be an alternative to surgery. It probably depends on how much lose skin you have.

The company is hoping to expand the system to treatments of other areas such as the neck and face. An effective non-surgical face lift for wrinkles will be very popular.

I wonder how much physicians are going to be charging to do the procedure? Got to be cheaper than surgery.

photo credit: Bear Eye An