Upper vs. Lower Blepharoplasty: Which is Right for Me?

As your delicate eyelid skin ages and loses collagen, your eyes can start to look tired or droopy, and you can start to notice puffiness and undereye bags. Blepharoplasty or an eyelid lift is the most effective way to restore your smooth, rejuvenated eyelids and energized look. What type of blepharoplasty you need depends on the concerns you want to address. 

What is Blepharoplasty or an Eyelid Lift?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure used to restore a firm, youthful appearance to your eye area. An eyelid lift on the upper lids is called an upper blepharoplasty, while on the lower lids, it is called a lower blepharoplasty. While you can have one or the other, many people have concerns in both areas, including wrinkles, eye bags, and drooping skin that hides your eyes and can even get in the way of your vision.  

Upper vs. Lower Blepharoplasty: Which is Right for Me?

During your consultation, your surgeon will review the areas you want to address and which option will best accomplish those goals. 

Upper Blepharoplasty

This procedure treats concerns such as:

• Wrinkled or crepey-looking upper lids
• Drooping skin
• Tired, hooded-looking eyes

An upper eyelid lift is performed under local anesthesia, although IV sedation may be used. The procedure can take under an hour if performed alone. Your surgeon hides the incision in an eyelid crease, making it nearly invisible once healed. 

Lower Blepharoplasty

This procedure addresses:

• Puffiness under the eyes
• Drooping lower lids
• Undereye bags

Like an upper blepharoplasty, this one can take less than an hour. The incision is hidden in a crease or inside the eyelid. Along with tightening the skin, your surgeon will reposition the fat pads that give you a puffy appearance. 

In some cases, people have specific concerns that can be targeted with one of these procedures. In other cases, people may have several areas of concern and choose to have an upper and lower eyelid lift together. 

What is Recovery Like After Upper or Lower Blepharoplasty?

You can usually return to work within two or three days of your procedure if your job does not involve physical activity. Swelling around your eye area will improve within the first week but can take a few weeks to fade entirely. During the first week, we will instruct you to avoid lifting over 20 pounds and any unnecessary bending over. 

Can I Have Other Procedures With Blepharoplasty?

While popular alone, an eyelid lift can often be combined with other procedures. One of the most common combinations is an eyelid lift with a brow lift. Having these procedures together provides total eye rejuvenation and corrects loose forehead skin. You can also combine your blepharoplasty with non-surgical treatments such as Botox® or dermal fillers to target specific areas. 

Take the Next Step

Want to learn more about what you can expect from blepharoplasty? Schedule a consultation at Awaken Aesthetics in Torrance, CA, to learn more by calling (310) 791-2233