The eyes are the windows to the soul... that means the lids are the window dressings. You want them to be fresh and vibrant so everyone will know the true you. Instead of crisp window dressings, are your eyelids drooping, wrinkled or sunken in?

Does everyone keep asking you if you're getting enough sleep or misjudging your age? Or are you just showing your age? There's a simple solution to brighten your look, defy the aging process and let everyone see the real you - an eyelift, technically known as blepharoplasty. How can this procedure do all this for you?

There are several issues that can be addressed in an eyelift. As you get older, you start to lose collagen and elastin in the skin. These are responsible for giving the skin volume and elasticity. When the skin loses them, droopiness occurs.

Sometimes this dropping of the eyelid can even impair your vision, so correcting it is imperative. But, what saggy lids always do is make you look older and tired. An eyelift will remove the excess skin and tighten the lid. This will make you look more alert and awake, which in turn makes you look younger.

Another problem is puffy eyes - like you haven't slept in a week or you've been crying for days. The problem here is too much fat in the lid area. Your plastic surgeon can remove the excess fat and then tighten the lid. This smoothes out the lines and, again, gives you a brighter, more youthful look.

Now, there are risks to this procedure. For instance, if too much skin is removed and it is pulled too tight, you may not be able to close your eyes. It also looks unnatural. You've heard of the "Cat Woman" right? Her eyes are pulled back so tight, she looks like a cat.

Problems can arise with the removal of fat as well. If too much tissue is taken out, you may get that sunken-in hollow-eyed look. You don't want to be like those people who look like walking skulls.

And of course, there is always risk when having a surgical procedure. You may have a reaction to the anesthesia or to any of the pain medications administered. If you do not follow the after-care instructions, you may have complications as you recuperate.

To avoid these problems, always research your plastic surgeon. Verify his credentials and make sure he is a board certified plastic surgeon. Also, ask him what his experience is in performing eyelifts.

Look at before and after pictures and be clear when you tell him what you want. Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon that answers all of your questions and takes the time to discuss with your options is essential to a successful procedure.

An eyelift will not permanently keep the aging process at bay, but it will certainly slow down and reverse the current effects. As long as you take good care of the skin by staying hydrated, moisturizing the area and wearing sun protection, the results will last for several years. Once you see the new more vibrant you, you'll want to take good care of these window dressings to the soul.