A brow lift and blepharoplasty rejuvenate different areas around the eyes. A brow lift repositions a drooping brow and addresses tissue above the eyebrows, while blepharoplasty treats aging of the upper or lower eyelids, such as excess skin, puffiness, or under-eye bags. Some patients benefit from one procedure, while others may be candidates for both.
At The Wall Center, our plastic surgeons evaluate the position of the brows and eyelids, along with your facial anatomy and concerns, to determine which approach is appropriate.
Brow Lift vs. Blepharoplasty at a Glance
| Consideration | Brow Lift | Blepharoplasty |
|---|---|---|
| Primary treatment area | Forehead and brows | Upper and/or lower eyelids |
| May address | Drooping brow position, brow shape, tissue hooding related to brow descent | Excess upper eyelid skin, lower eyelid bags/puffiness and contour concerns |
| What it changes | Repositions the brow and surrounding tissues | Removes and/or repositions eyelid skin, fat, and other tissues as appropriate |
| Can they be combined? | Yes | Yes |
What Does a Brow Lift Treat?
A brow lift repositions a drooping or descended brow to create a more refreshed appearance around the upper face and eyes. The procedure can improve a low or heavy brow, reshape the eyebrows, and reduce hooding around the outer eyes that results from brow descent.
Brow descent is often most noticeable toward the outer portion of the eyebrows, where it can contribute to heaviness or hooding near the upper eyelids. Depending on your anatomy and the position of your brows, a brow lift can reposition and reshape this area while avoiding excessive elevation of the inner brow.
What Does Blepharoplasty Treat?
Blepharoplasty rejuvenates the upper and/or lower eyelids by addressing concerns such as excess skin, puffiness, and under-eye bags.
- Upper blepharoplasty may remove excess eyelid skin and fat deposits to create a smoother, less heavy appearance.
- Lower blepharoplasty can remove excess fat that contributes to puffiness or bags beneath the eyes and may also address excess skin when needed.
Blepharoplasty is customized to the concerns being treated. When external incisions are needed, they are placed within the natural creases around the eyes to help keep them inconspicuous. When lower eyelid fat is the primary concern, the surgeon may make an incision inside the eyelid, leaving no external scar.
Do I Need a Brow Lift or Blepharoplasty?
Whether you need a brow lift, blepharoplasty, or a combination of the two depends on where the aging changes originate.
- If the part of the brow closest to the temple region is drooping, with persistent wrinkles and hooding by the outside of the eyes, you may be a candidate for a brow lift.
- If the brow is in a good position but excess upper eyelid skin is creating a heavy or drooping appearance, upper blepharoplasty may be the better approach.
Because brow position can affect the appearance of the upper eyelids, an in-person evaluation is important for determining which procedure—or combination of procedures—best addresses the underlying cause of your concerns.
Can You Have a Brow Lift and Blepharoplasty Together?
Yes. A brow lift and blepharoplasty can be performed together when both brow descent and eyelid aging contribute to a heavy or tired appearance around the eyes. Combining the procedures allows the surgeon to address aging above and around the eyes during the same surgery and offers patients the benefit of a single recovery period. However, not everyone needs both procedures. Your surgeon will evaluate your brow position, eyelid anatomy, and individual concerns to determine whether a brow lift, blepharoplasty, or a combination is appropriate.
Are There Nonsurgical Alternatives?
For some patients, nonsurgical treatments can improve concerns around the brows and eyes without surgery. Strategically placed BOTOX® Cosmetic can soften expression lines and may create a subtle lifting effect in the brow area. Dermal fillers may be used to restore volume or improve certain contours around the eyes and upper face.
However, injectables cannot remove excess eyelid skin or reposition significantly descended brow tissue. If these structural changes are causing the concern, a brow lift or blepharoplasty may provide a more appropriate solution. Your provider can help determine whether surgical or nonsurgical treatment is better suited to your anatomy and goals.
Which Procedure Is Right for You?
If you’re bothered by a heavy or drooping brow, excess eyelid skin, under-eye bags, or a combination of these concerns, a consultation can help determine where the changes originate and which treatment is appropriate. The plastic surgeons at The Wall Center can evaluate your brow position and eyelid anatomy and recommend a brow lift, blepharoplasty, nonsurgical treatment, or combination approach based on your individual needs and goals.
To explore your options, request a consultation with The Wall Center or call (318) 795-0801 to schedule an appointment.
Typically on average how much does a brow lift surgery cost?