What Is Blepharoplasty?

Once upon a time, you probably didn’t think twice about rubbing your eyes after a long night or when you were feeling sleepy. But then you got older. (It happens to the best of us.)

Now you might be noticing your eyes don’t look as big and bright as they once did. You may have loose or sagging skin around your eyelids that’s not only dragging down your facial features but could be negatively affecting your vision too.

Plus, the muscles that support the eyelids may have also become weakened and lax, causing drooping, puffiness, and dark circles. But don’t despair. Fortunately, there is blepharoplasty.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is just the fancy medical term for an eyelid lift. And it’s not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Depending on your specific needs, your board-certified plastic surgeon will recommend either an upper blepharoplasty or a lower blepharoplasty. In some cases, he or she may recommend both – known as a quad blepharoplasty.

All three procedures deliver a dramatically more youthful appearance to the eyes. So, which type of blepharoplasty do you need? Let’s explore.

Is an Upper Eyelid Lift Right for You?

Of the two procedures, the upper eyelid lift procedure is the less complex. This procedure is recommended for patients bothered by sagging skin, excess fat, or loose muscle along the upper eyelids. The drooping can be significant enough to block or obstruct vision to some degree, a condition known as ptosis.

With an upper blepharoplasty, excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat are removed through a small incision in the upper eyelid. In some cases, the muscles above the eye may need to be repositioned before the skin is lifted and reattached. The incision for this procedure is made in the crease above the eye to hide any scar.

Although a simpler procedure than a lower blepharoplasty, your plastic surgeon may also recommend a brow lift with an upper eyelid lift. This will provide significant improvement in cases where drooping has become problematic.

What About a Lower Eyelid Lift?

For patients concerned about sagging skin, puffiness, and ‘bags’ under their eyes, your plastic surgeon would recommend (as you’ve probably guessed) a lower blepharoplasty.

Part of what makes the lower eyelid lift procedure more complex is that there are multiple approaches, depending on your eye anatomy and desired results. The two most common approaches are an external approach and a transconjunctival approach.

With the external approach, an incision is made just below the lower eyelashes, and excess fat and skin are removed. Excess fat from the eyelid may be repositioned to address hollow areas beneath the eyes. Or the cheek may also be lifted to fill that space. In addition, if there is muscular weakness, the lower eyelid will be tightened to improve strength.

By contrast, the transconjunctival approach is more direct. Working through an incision just inside the eyelid, the surgeon removes or repositions excess fat. This approach, however, does not address improving strength. Therefore, it’s preferred for younger patients or for those for whom muscle weakness is not an issue.

Are You Ready to Explore Eyelid Surgery?

If sagging and drooping eyelids and/or bags under your eyes are weighing you down, take advantage of the wondrous results an upper or lower blepharoplasty will deliver.

And if you think you’re too young, think again! An increasing number of patients in their 40s (and even late 30s) seek plastic surgery for sagging and drooping around the brows and eyelids.

So contact us today to find out which procedure is right for you. And bring back some of that sparkle and youthful radiance.