Which Procedure is Right for Me: Eyelid Lift vs. Brow Lift?

Has the skin around your eyes started to sag? An eyelid lift and a brow lift are two facial rejuvenation procedures that can revitalize your upper face, and restore an attractive, more youthful appearance. But if you’ve decided to fix the problem how do you know which procedure is right for you: eyelid lift vs brow lift.

Eyelid lift vs brow lift?

The area around the forehead and eyes often develop wrinkles that give the face a tired, aged appearance. An eyelid lift and a brow lift can both improve the appearance of the eyes, but they target different areas. It’s therefore helpful to review the differences between both procedures, in order to better understand which option would be right for you.

What does an eyelid lift do?

An eyelid lift or blepharoplasty addresses issues related to aging eyes including sagging skin and puffiness in the upper eyelids, as well as bags below the eyes. Blepharoplasty gives the eyes a refreshed appearance, and restores a youthful shape to the eyelids.

Upper eyelid surgery removes the skin and fat of the upper eyelids. It is an outpatient procedure that may be done under local anesthesia. There are times when the excess eyelid skin blocks the patient’s vision, and in these cases blepharoplasty is a medically necessary procedure.

Lower blepharoplasty reduces undereye bags. Puffy eyes are the result of the fat around the eyes pushing through the skin, and during a lower eyelid lift the surgeon will either remove or reposition the fat, depending on the specific needs of the patient.

Surgery may be done on either the upper or lower eyelids, or on both.

There is typically some bruising and swelling around the eyes after eyelid surgery, and recovery takes about 1 week.

What does a brow lift do?

A brow lift also known as a forehead lift, enhances the appearance of the forehead and eyes by lifting droopy eyebrows. It reduces the appearance of forehead wrinkles and frown lines.

A browlift is also performed on an outpatient basis. There are several techniques that can be used to perform a browlift, including the minimal incision technique in which the incisions are made around the scalp and upper eyelids. During the operation the surgeon will remove excess skin and alter the muscles as needed, which will raise the brows and reduce the appearance of frown lines.

Recovery after a browlift typically takes 7-10 days as there is usually some swelling and discoloration around the eyes and eyelids.

Which procedure is right for you?

When it comes to facial rejuvenation there is no one-size-fits-all solution, so the intervention is customized to fit the aesthetic goals of each patient. The indicators below will help you determine which procedure will help you achieve the aesthetic outcome you desire.

When to have an eyelid lift

There are times when addressing the eyelids alone is all that’s needed to rejuvenate the overall appearance of the face. If you have significant aging changes around the eyelids, and few or none around the forehead, an eyelid lift may be the right procedure for you.

When to have a brow lift

On the other hand a brow lift fixes drooping, sagging eyebrows and forehead wrinkles. It targets loose skin and frown lines and gives the forehead a smoother appearance. The flattening of the arch over time also contributes to sagging brows. A brow lift elevates both the forehead and the brows, and restores the arch of the brow to a more youthful position.

If you have hooding in the upper eyelids that is caused by sagging brows, a brow lift would be the right procedure for you. However if the hooding in the upper eyelids is due to excess skin on the lids, but the position of your brows have not changed, an eyelid lift is normally recommended.

While these indicators are helpful, it’s always advisable to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for an evaluation.

If you are in the Central Florida area, contact Lakemont Plastic Surgery & Laser Center in Winter Park, FL for more information.

Call (407) 410-3832 today to set up a consultation with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Greenberg.

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