Do your eyes betray your age? If saggy, droopy, or baggy eyelids are making you appear older than your years, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can help you appear more energetic and youthful—and possibly even improve your vision.
Ready to open your eyes to the possibility of looking brighter and more refreshed? Let’s explore the various types of eyelid surgery and what they can achieve.
Eyelid Surgery Overview
Eyelid surgery is highly effective for both men and women who want to freshen up their facial appearance. There’s upper or lower eyelid surgery, cosmetic eyelid surgery, and functional eyelid surgery—but which is right for you? Not to worry. During your consultation, our board-certified plastic surgeons will help you explore your options and determine the best approach that suits your unique needs. In addition to helping you appear more youthful, eyelid surgery can also improve eye function (more on this below!).
Upper Eyelid Surgery: Turn Back the Clock
Upper blepharoplasty addresses issues such as sagging or drooping eyelids that make your face appear older, overly tired, or even sad or angry. During upper eyelid surgery, your surgeon makes small incisions in the natural creases of your upper eyelid to remove excess skin and fat. The remaining skin on the eyelid is tightened to give you a more youthful appearance. An upper blepharoplasty can also help patients improve their field of vision if sagging eyelids obstruct it. Results typically last 5 to 7 years.
Lower Eyelid Surgery: Banish Your Bags!
A lower blepharoplasty targets problems such as wrinkles, puffiness, and under-eye bags that occur thanks to fatty deposits that shift and accumulate as we age. During lower eyelid surgery, your surgeon makes discreet incisions along the lower lash line to remove or reposition fat and tighten loose skin. This helps you appear less tired and gives you a more vibrant look, with results that last for years!
What Does Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery Encompass?
Most men and women choose eyelid surgery to look more youthful and alert. Cosmetic eyelid surgery is essentially a broad term for accomplishing this goal. We generally combine upper and lower eyelid surgery to help patients who want to enhance the overall appearance of their eyes. When performed simultaneously, these procedures give you a rejuvenated, radiant, and harmonious look. We may also suggest combining your blepharoplasty with a brow lift or a facelift for a truly stunning transformation.
You can learn more about how much cosmetic eyelid surgery costs in our related blog post.
What Is Functional Eyelid Surgery?
If seeing more clearly and comfortably is your goal, functional eyelid surgery (rather than cosmetic eyelid surgery) is your ultimate solution. This procedure helps patients with medical conditions like obstructed vision caused by ptosis (drooping eyelid) or ectropion (lower eyelid turns outward), which can impact eye health. Because this eyelid surgery improves eye function, it is often considered a medical necessity.
Take the Next Step!
Our board-certified plastic surgeons are experienced in all types of eyelid surgery and can determine whether an eyelid lift or another procedure will achieve your goals. Are you ready to look more vibrant and refreshed by enhancing the appearance and functionality of your eyes? Please request a consultation online with one of our blepharoplasty surgeons or call us at (858) 452-1981 to schedule an appointment.
