As we age it is normal to experience changes to some degree in our skin and muscles. While signs of aging can appear anywhere, the delicate skin around your eyes and eyebrows is often the first area to show wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin contributing to an aged and tired expression.
Fortunately, there are many cosmetic procedures and treatments on the market to help rejuvenate your appearance. If you’ve noticed these signs of aging, you may be considering upper eyelid surgery or a brow lift as possible treatment options. as possible treatment options. Though these procedures can produce similar results, they are designed to tackle different concerns. At Kass Center for Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, we are here to help you find the right treatment option for your unique needs so that you can look and feel your best.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Upper eyelid surgery, also known as upper blepharoplasty or eyelid lift, is a procedure that addresses heavy, sagging eyelids that can result in a tired and aged expression and alter a patient’s field of vision. During this procedure, a small incision is made along a natural crease in your eyelid to remove excess skin and fatty deposits and tighten underlying muscle tissue. This procedure can reduce hooding and improve the look and functionality of your eyelids allowing you to achieve a more youthful appearance, restore sightlines, and reduce fine lines and puffiness in the eyes. Generally, ideal candidates for upper eyelid and/or lower eyelid surgery experience the following symptoms:
- Hooding that impedes their field of vision
- Sagging excess skin in the upper eyelid
- Significant bags under the eyes
Upper eyelid surgeries often require light sedation and a short recovery period. Minimal swelling, bruising, and tenderness are common side effects of the procedure. One of the benefits of this procedure is that the incision is virtually unnoticeable as it is made in a natural crease of your eye.
Brow Lift Surgery
A brow lift procedure addresses signs of aging by repositioning the eyebrows while smoothing the skin in the forehead and between the eyes for a more relaxed and youthful appearance with lines. This procedure can be accomplished several ways, though the most common is a form of endoscopic surgery where a tiny camera assists in making small incisions in the scalp above the hairline to lift and raise the eyebrows into a more favorable location. The results include a more awake and refreshed appearance by treating forehead wrinkles and sagging eyebrows.
Ideal candidates for a brow lift surgery commonly experience the following symptoms:
- Flat or low eyebrow shapes
- Overhanging or hooding that extends beyond the corner of your eyes and impedes vision
- Severe wrinkles in the brow and forehead area
The type of brow lift you undergo will be based on your facial features and aesthetic preferences. Our staff will assist you in achieving beautiful and natural-looking results by selecting the best treatment option for your needs. Regardless of the method, light sedation and a short recovery period is common practice for brow lifts. Minimal swelling, bruising, and tenderness are common side effects of the procedure. As the incisions are generally placed behind the hairline, they are often well concealed and practically indiscernible once healed.
Which is right for you?
To determine which treatment option is right for you, consider whether the problem lies within your eyebrows or eyelids. Also, please consider that it is not necessarily either/or and that often these procedures may be combined for best results. Before your consultation you can perform a simple test at home to help you make your decision:
Place your fingers on your eyebrows and raise them into a more favorable position. If this corrects a majority of your concerns, including the excess skin along the upper eyelid, a brow lift may be the right choice. However, if the excess tissue remains after raising your eyebrows, or if there are still some noticeable concerns, eyelid surgery may be best. However, if you perform this test and still can’t decide, we are here to help you. During your consultation, we will discuss your medical history, concerns, and conduct a thorough evaluation before selecting the right treatment option for your needs. In some cases, we may even recommend a combination of both procedures.
As an aside, remember that cosmetic eyelid and eyebrow surgeries are the most common cosmetic surgeries done in males. It is just behind breast augmentation in females. So together, eyelid and eyebrow surgeries are very common (even if your friends or relatives don’t tell you they had it done!) and lots and lots of these procedures are done each and every day. Without doubt, it is best to see an experienced oculofacial plastic surgeon to minimize any chances of problems with the surgery.
For more information on brow lifts, upper eyelid surgery, or to schedule a consultation, contact Kass Center For Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery today.