The difference between lower blepharoplasty and laser resurfacing is huge, even though they are often discussed in the same breath when talking about under-eye treatments.

Lower blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure. The surgeon makes a small incision to physically remove or reposition the fat pockets that cause under-eye bags, and then smooths or tightens the skin. This procedure directly addresses the structure of the problem, the bags and tear troughs themselves. That is what I originally wanted, because my concern was not skin texture, but the tired look under my eyes.

Laser resurfacing, on the other hand, is not surgery. It uses a laser to remove the outer layers of skin, stimulating collagen and creating tighter, smoother skin as it heals. The focus is on skin quality: texture, fine lines, and tone. It does not remove fat, and it does not change the underlying anatomy of the eye bags or tear troughs. At best, it can soften the shadowing and make the area look somewhat fresher.

In my case, I asked Dr. Beal to take away my under-eye bags and tear troughs. He told me that laser resurfacing would achieve that. I paid $2,000 to his office, plus another $1,000 for hotel and supplies during recovery. After days of healing, I looked in the mirror and could still see the same tear troughs I went in with. My skin may have been tighter, but the structural issue, the exact thing I asked to fix, was still there.

If you are looking for Cosmetic Surgery near Troy, it is critical to understand this difference. A resurfacing treatment is not a substitute for blepharoplasty. They are not interchangeable, no matter how they are presented.

Based on my experience, I strongly caution anyone considering Dr. Beal for under-eye work. If you want to get rid of bags and tear troughs, you need lower blepharoplasty. If you only want smoother skin, resurfacing may help. But if you walk in asking for one and come out with the other, you’ll feel the same way I do now, misled and disappointed.