VlogUp

Amanda Bynes has decided to address the commentary about her altered appearance head-on, revealing that, yes, she's had cosmetic surgery on her face and, no, she has absolutely no regrets.

In an Instagram story on December 11, per People, Amanda shared with fans that she'd had blepharoplasty surgery. “I was never open about this before, but I actually had blepharoplasty surgery on the skin folds and the corner of my eyes,” she told her followers. “So I don’t have those skin folds anymore.”

The She's the Man actor added that the procedure did wonders for her self-esteem. “It was one of the best things I could’ve ever done for my self-confidence, and it made me feel a lot better in my skin, so I just wanted to post about that just to clear up that rumor as to why I have a new look,” Amanda said. “I feel a lot better now about myself, and I’m so glad I had the blepharoplasty surgery. It was one of the greatest things I could’ve ever done.”

Blepharoplasty surgery is now one of America's most popular plastic surgeries. And while plenty of celebrities are suspected of having had similar work done on their face, Amanda Bynes is one of the first to open up about it.

Here's everything you need to know about the procedure…

What is blepharoplasty surgery?

Sometimes referred to as an eye lift, “blepharoplasty surgery, which is performed under local or general anaesthetic, aims to improve the appearance of drooping, tired eyes by removing excess skin on the upper or lower eyelids,” consultant cosmetic surgeon, Sujatha Tadiparthi, told GLAMOUR. “If there is visible bulging, some pockets of fat can be removed, but care is taken not to take too much away as it can lead to empty or hollow eyes.”

How long does the healing process take?

You will be able to go home the same day as the procedure, says Sujatha. While recovery times vary from person to person, you can expect to be off work for between seven to 10 days after eyelid surgery – at which point, the stitches are removed.

“It would be unusual for anyone to notice that you have had surgery at this point,” says Professor Daniel Ezra, specialist ophthalmic and oculoplastic consultant. “For lower eyelid blepharoplasty, the recovery is longer at about two to three weeks and you should take two weeks off work. However, for both of these treatments, you should be fine to work on a computer after just a few days and this will in no way harm the eyes or compromise the outcome of the surgery. Patients taking longer to settle will typically have issues with swelling.”

As for scarring? The prognosis is good, says Sujatha. "The scars fade well within a few weeks and by six months to one year, they will be barely visible."

Is blepharoplasty surgery safe?

While blepharoplasty surgery is deemed relatively straightforward, it is not without side effects. “All surgery comes with some risk, though serious risks from blepharoplasty are unlikely,” Professor Daniel says. “Typically, bruising and swelling is expected due to the delicate nature of the eyelid tissue. This will not be permanent and will subside after several days or weeks, depending on the patient. Watery or dry eyes and temporary blurred vision are also common for some weeks after the operation.”

The main risks are minor asymmetries in the appearance of the eyelids, notes Sujatha. “This is due to pre-existing differences or the difference of skin needing to be removed from each side. In rarer cases, if too much skin has been removed, this can lead to problems with eye closure and create dry eyes. If too little skin is removed, there may be ongoing excess skin and bulging and the procedure may need to be repeated once healing is complete.”

What is the cost of eyelid surgery?

“The cost varies depending on the amount of loose skin, if upper and / or lower eyelids are done and if you have a local or general anaesthetic”, Sujatha says, adding that you can expect to pay around £3,950 for the full package.

A version of this article originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLjApqauqp2WtKLGyKecZ5ufY8Kse8Crq6KbnJp8o7jEqZ%2Baqp%2BluaK%2F07JknrGVobaledKuqaCdoq4%3D