One look in the mirror and the reflection tells you that the area around your eyes could benefit from a little cosmetic surgery. So, what kind of procedure should you consider?
Either one eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) the raising eyebrows it can “light up” your peers and help you look more youthful and alert. But while both surgeries can improve the real estate around your eyes, they do so in different ways.
Let’s look at the options with an ophthalmologist and an ophthalmic plastic surgeon Julian Perry, MD.
Reasons for lifting eyelids or eyebrows
Time is not always kind to your skin. As the birthdays add up, your skin naturally and gradually loses some of it elastin and elasticity. This aging effect can lead to loose and loose skin around your eyes.
This sleepiness can make you look sad and tired, which are usually not desirable appearance traits.
But the reasons for an eyelid or brow lift often extend beyond cosmetic. Loose skin that builds up around your eyes and eyelids can cause eye strain and eventually affect your field of vision.
“These procedures can also solve these problems,” notes Dr. Perry.
The difference between eyelid and brow lift
Both procedures aim to relax the skin around your eyes. The approaches, however, are very different, Dr. Perry says. Ditto for some of the results you see.
Let’s break down what happens in both surgeries.
What does an blepharoplasty treat?
A blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) specifically focuses on the skin right around your eyes. There are two types of blepharoplasty. One aims high while the other aims low:
- Upper eyelid blepharoplasty removes skin (and sometimes fat) from your upper eyelid. “This is a very simple procedure,” explains Dr. Perry. “It involves light sedation and takes about half an hour in expert hands.”
- Lower eyelid blepharoplasty it targets bags and hollows under your eyes. The procedure involves a small incision that allows the fat to be removed or repositioned. Excess skin can also be tightened.
A blepharoplasty can improve some dark circles, but not those caused by extra skin pigment. (Sorry.) It’s also not the solution to annoying crow’s feet in the corner of your eye or another facial wrinkles which was laid out on an unsolicited road map. (Again, sorry.)
The good news, though? These issues can be treated with other procedures (such as wrinkle reduction laser resurfacing) which can be done in combination with an eyelid lift. Non-surgical solutions, such as Botox® and fillers can help in these areas as well.
What does a brow lift treat?
As the name of the procedure suggests, the surgical work in a brow lift is performed above your eyes.
The incisions for the skin tightening procedure are usually made near your hairline, Dr. Perry explains. Sections of skin, tissue, and muscle can then be moved to smooth forehead wrinkles, soften frown lines, and lift sagging brows.
The effect of a brow lift is mainly limited to your eyebrows (which will appear slightly higher) and your forehead. By lifting the eyebrows and heavy skin from the eyelids, some of the upper eyelid bags will be reduced. But the procedure does not remove any of the extra eyelid skin.
The surgery can take anywhere from one to two hours depending on the amount of work done. Brow lifting can also be done in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures, such as a facelift or laser.
How long does an eyelid or eyebrow lift take?
Cosmetic surgery can turn back the clock on your appearance, but it doesn’t stop time.
“The results of these surgeries last a lifetime, but the aging process will always continue,” says Dr. Perry. “In other words, your face – just like everyone else’s – will continue to age, and aging will probably start to show at some point.”
It often takes a decade or more for the aging process to start making its mark again. Follow-up cosmetic procedures (such as Botox) may be an option at this point.
You can also keep your facial skin looking younger by:
- Regular application of moisturizer and sun cream.
- No smoking.
- Using chemical peels for fine wrinkles.
Are these cosmetic procedures safe?
All surgery carries risks. (It is surgery, after all.) But overall, eyelid and brow lifts are extremely safe, reassures Dr. Perry. Chances are you’ll only experience some swelling or bruising that will go away in a week or so.
However, there is a possibility of negative aesthetic results such as an asymmetrical appearance. Scarring or skin discoloration is also a possibility, although new techniques can correct or minimize these problems.
Major issues such as blurred vision or vision loss, bleeding, infection, nerve damage or other problems are rare.
Are you a candidate for eyelid or eyebrow lift?
If you are physically fit and want to address sagging skin around your eyes, consider yourself a candidate for either procedure. Talk to a healthcare provider to decide the best path for you.
An eyelid lift may be the best course of action if your concern is centered solely around your eyelids. A brow lift can help with some eyelid problems, but it treats more problems than the brows and above.
“If you think it’s time to take action on the bags and wrinkles around your eyes, start the process by talking to a surgeon who specializes in these techniques,” advises Dr. Perry. “Weigh all your options before making a decision.”
