Considering blepharoplasty or a brow lift? Find out if you’re a good candidate for either procedure and see what suits your needs best.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ latest Cosmetic Surgery Procedures report, ASPS member surgeons performed 120,747 eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) procedures in 2023. As for forehead lifts, also known as brow lifts, they performed 13,518 procedures.
People who get a blepharoplasty or brow lift do so to “brighten” their eyes, giving them a more alert, youthful appearance. While both facial rejuvenation procedures can deliver such results, they do so in different ways. For the same reason, their other benefits and limitations also vary.
To that end, the experts at Popp Cosmetic Surgery PC in Omaha, NE, put together this blepharoplasty vs. brow lift cosmetic surgery comparison guide. Read on to discover how these two procedures differ so you can make a more informed decision about which best suits your needs.
How a Blepharoplasty Works
Blepharoplasty targets the skin around the eyes, and the term applies to surgery to either upper or lower eyelids. One can have just an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, or just a lower eyelid blepharoplasty, or both. The brow has an intimate relationship with ONLY the upper eyelids, NOT the lower eyelids. Since we are discussing a brow lift vs. blepharoplasty in this article, we are not going to address lower eyelid blepharoplasty other than in passing so there is no confusion. Therefore, when the word “blepharoplasty” is used in this article, we are referring strictly to the upper eyelids.
Types of Eyelid Surgery
Upper blepharoplasty removes skin, and in some cases, fat, from the upper eyelid. Under expert hands, the procedure is very straightforward, taking only about half an hour and requiring light sedation.
Lower blepharoplasty addresses hollows, unsightly bags, and loose wrinkled skin under the eye. Your cosmetic surgeon will make an incision to remove or reposition fat, and they may also tighten excess skin. Again, FROM HERE ON WE ARE ONLY REFERRING TO UPPER EYELID BLEPHAROPLASTY when we use the word blepharoplasty.
What Blepharoplasty Can Treat
Blepharoplasty benefits individuals who have certain physical attributes. This includes:
- Baggy or drooping upper eyelids
- Excess upper eyelid skin that partially obscures the peripheral vision
The problems above often occur due to genetics or aging, which results in a drop in the body’s natural collagen and elastin production. As Verywell Health points out, women start losing collagen by their early 20s. They lose it continuously over time, and within the first five years of menopause, they would have lost about 30% of their body’s total collagen supply.
The problem is that collagen and elastin are crucial skin proteins. Collagen gives the skin strength and structure, while elastin makes it elastic and resilient. When the body’s supply of these two drops, the skin sags or droops.
While blepharoplasty does not increase the body’s production of collagen or elastin, it can address the problems that result from their loss (e.g., sagging skin).
And if lid problems affect your vision, your insurance may cover eyelid surgery.
Limitations of Blepharoplasty
Although blepharoplasty should always improve baggy upper eyelids, it may not improve all facial wrinkles or crow’s feet.
The good news is that you can address such signs of aging with procedures like laser skin treatments. Many people choose to undergo these procedures in conjunction with eyelid surgery.
For example, laser resurfacing can tighten skin, help minimize the appearance of wrinkles, and even out skin coloring. It can also help scars left by acne, a skin condition that, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, affects up to 50 million people in the U.S. yearly.
What About a Brow Lift?
Brow lift is a surgery that targets the area from eyebrow hairs up to the forehead and hairline. To really understand which operation is best, you need to understand the direct skin connection between the brow and the upper eyelids. One way to understand this is to look in a mirror, place your fingers above the eyebrow hairs, and lift your eyebrow up. You will notice the obvious brow elevation, but you should also note that the baggy upper eyelid skin is improved and/or reduced because the brow skin is connected to the eyelid skin, and as the brow elevates it drags the eyelid skin up with it. Conversely, push your eyebrow down and the upper eyelid bags will get worse.
Who Are Ideal Brow Lift Candidates?
Before moving on one must consider what is NORMAL eyebrow position. This differs between men and women, as well as cultural norms. Traditionally women have high arched brows, while men have low flat horizontal brows. If a brow lift is performed, one must be careful to avoid an unnaturally high brow. This can give rise to the dreaded “deer in the headlight look” (think Kenny Rogers). Doing strictly an upper lid blepharoplasty would never cause the “deer in the headlight” look. That only happens when the brow is raised, so brow lifts need to be considered cautiously, to avoid this look. That said you may be a brow lift candidate if you have:
- Sagging eyebrows (also called “hooded eyes”) with minimal upper eyelid bags
- “11s,” vertical frown lines between the eyebrows
- Horizontal lines and creases on the forehead and the bridge of the nose
With a brow lift, your surgeon can lift sagging brows, smoothen forehead wrinkles, and soften frown lines. Because the procedure lifts the brows and raises heavy skin from the eyelids, it can also minimize bags in the upper eyelids and rejuvenate your eyes, giving you a fresher, more alert appearance.
Limitations of a Brow Lift
A brow lift can improve mild upper eyelid bags, but moderate to severe upper lid bags will require blepharoplasty as well. The two operations are frequently performed at the same time.
Which One Should You Choose Then, Blepharoplasty or Brow Lift?
The decision to get blepharoplasty or brow lift depends on what you hope to achieve through either surgery.
For example, suppose you have droopy eyelids that already affect your peripheral vision. If so, your better option is upper eyelid blepharoplasty, which will reduce or eliminate the skin blocking your sight.
On the other hand, if your problem involves hooded eyes and sagging brows that make you look sad or tired, a brow lift may be a better solution. The procedure will not change your eye shape, but it can lift your brows and give you a more refreshed, youthful appearance.
And if you have multiple problems (e.g., all the above plus 11s, and creases on the forehead), remember that a highly experienced cosmetic surgeon can perform blepharoplasty and brow lift together.
If you’re still unsure which procedure to get, the staff and health professionals at Popp Cosmetic Surgery PC encourage you to book a consultation with us. Our highly experienced cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Popp, will:
- Discuss your concerns and goals
- Evaluate your expectations
- Present the most appropriate surgical and non-surgical options
During your consultation, you’ll also be able to look at before and after photos and explore financing options.
Ready to Explore Blepharoplasty and Brow Lift?
Remember: A blepharoplasty or brow lift can brighten your eyes and give you a more youthful, rejuvenated look. However, because they target different areas of the face, they can also deliver other cosmetic benefits that you might want to consider exploring.
Let Popp Cosmetic Surgery PC guide you throughout the exploration and decision-making phase. Our head doctor, Dr. Jeffrey Popp, is a fully certified cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon whose practice and expertise date back to 1983. With our team’s and Dr. Popp’s expertise, knowledge, and skills, we can help you achieve your cosmetic and well-being goals.
Contact our team today. We look forward to hearing from you and discussing how we can help.
