What is asymmetry and can you pursue it?

Asymmetry head

What is asymmetry and can you pursue it?

Asymmetry is a term that is often used in the world of aesthetics. It refers to the inequality or difference between two sides of the face or body. In upper eyelid surgery, asymmetry is an important point of attention, because our eyes and eyelids play a crucial role in the appearance and balance of the face. In this blog, we will delve deeper into what asymmetry means, how it can affect eyelid surgery, and what to expect from the results.

Perfect symmetry does not exist in nature, and this is certainly true for the human body. Small differences in the height, shape or size of the eyelids are normal. Often this asymmetry is subtle and only noticeable when specifically looked for. Sometimes, however, it can be more pronounced, for example due to:

  • Congenital differences: natural variations in anatomy.
  • Aging: One eyelid may sag faster than the other.
  • Damage or trauma: such as a scar or previous surgery.
  • Medical conditions: such as a lazy eye (ptosis) or muscle weakness.

Upper eyelid correction

Upper eyelid surgery is a procedure that removes excess skin and sometimes fatty tissue from the upper eyelids. This can be done to correct functional problems, such as an obstructed field of vision, or for aesthetic reasons. Asymmetry plays an important role in this, both before and after the procedure. The risk of significant asymmetry after upper eyelid surgery varies, but it is usually estimated at around 5% of cases. This means that in 5 to 10 out of 100 patients some degree of asymmetry may be visible. In most cases, this asymmetry is mild and can be corrected by the surgeon with an additional procedure if necessary.

During the intake consultation, the surgeon will analyze the natural asymmetry of the face and eyes. It is important that the patient has realistic expectations: an eyelid correction can reduce asymmetry, but it will rarely provide complete symmetry. The surgeon looks at the degree of excess skin per eyelid, muscle tone and fat distribution and any underlying medical causes, such as ptosis.
During the operation, the surgeon will attempt to correct the differences between the eyelids by carefully adjusting the amount of skin and fatty tissue removed.
Even after successful surgery, subtle asymmetry may still occur. This may depend on the anatomical differences between the patient’s eyes before surgery. Also, the natural healing process of the skin and muscles is different for each eye. In addition, swelling and scarring play a role in the final result.

Asymmetry is a natural and inevitable part of our appearance. In upper eyelid surgery, reducing asymmetry is an important goal, but striving for perfect symmetry is not realistic. By choosing an experienced surgeon and communicating openly about expectations, a result can be achieved that meets the patient's wishes as much as possible.