Oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Yildiz Acar Ebcim, says detailed anatomical assessment and treatment sequencing are becoming increasingly important as aesthetic options expand
As patients gain access to an expanding range of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments, European board-certified oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Yildiz Acar Ebcim is highlighting a precision-first approach that prioritises anatomical assessment, treatment selection and careful sequencing over the number of procedures performed.
The approach moves away from treating individual aesthetic concerns in isolation. Instead, treatment planning begins by identifying the anatomical changes behind a patient’s concern and determining which intervention, if any, is appropriate.
According to Dr. Acar Ebcim, a successful treatment plan should begin with a detailed assessment of what has changed anatomically, what is affecting function or appearance, and which intervention is appropriate at that stage, rather than starting with a list of available procedures.
This distinction can be particularly important in periocular rejuvenation, where the eyelids, brows, temples, midface, skin and facial volume can all influence the appearance of the eye area.
A concern such as under-eye hollowing, for example, does not necessarily have the same cause from one patient to another. In one case, volume loss may be a contributing factor. In another, prominent fat compartments, skin laxity or changes in midface support may be involved.
As a result, similar-looking concerns may require different treatment strategies.
For selected patients where changes in volume contribute to under-eye hollowing or shadowing, under-eye fat grafting may form part of a broader treatment plan. Other patients may require a different surgical or non-surgical approach, while some may not require intervention at that stage.
Dr. Acar Ebcim notes that every patient has a different anatomical starting point. Two people may describe the same concern, such as looking tired, while the underlying causes can be different, making individual assessment an important part of treatment selection.
Treatment Sequencing as Part of Precision Planning
Dr. Acar Ebcim also points to treatment sequencing as an important consideration in facial rejuvenation.
Where clinically appropriate, structural correction may precede treatments addressing skin quality or other concerns. For other patients, non-surgical treatment may be sufficient without surgery.
The same principle applies when surgical and non-surgical techniques are combined. Rather than using multiple procedures simply because they are available, each intervention should have a defined purpose within the overall treatment strategy.
“The future of facial rejuvenation is becoming increasingly precise,” said Dr. Acar Ebcim. “It is less about performing the maximum number of procedures and more about understanding anatomy in greater detail, selecting the least invasive appropriate option and planning treatment with the long term in mind.”
Long-term planning can include consideration of tissue quality, facial proportions, previous procedures and the potential need for future treatment. Around the eyes, Dr. Acar Ebcim says aesthetic objectives should also be considered alongside eyelid function, ocular protection and natural facial movement.
The result is a treatment philosophy centred on selective intervention rather than treatment volume.
“More treatment does not automatically mean better treatment,” said Dr. Acar Ebcim. “The most important decision is often knowing what to treat, when to treat it and when not to intervene.”
About Dr. Yildiz Acar Ebcim
Dr. Yildiz Acar Ebcim is a European board-certified oculoplastic surgeon based in Istanbul, Türkiye, with more than 15 years of experience and over 30,000 surgical and non-surgical periocular procedures performed. Her practice focuses on aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, brows, midface and upper facial region. Her areas of expertise include upper and lower blepharoplasty, ptosis correction, endoscopic brow lifting, endoscopic midface lifting, under-eye and facial fat grafting, laser treatments, radiofrequency applications and personalized regenerative aesthetic procedures. Her treatment philosophy emphasizes individualized anatomical assessment, preservation of eyelid function and facial expression, and natural-looking outcomes.
