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When the upper face starts to droop, it can mean a furrowed brow or wrinkled and heavy eyelids. This can give an impression you don’t want; you may look tired or older than you feel.
While a facelift can address many facial concerns, including loose skin, sagging tissues, and jowls, it cannot correct signs of aging in the upper third of the face. If you experience aging in this area, you may be better suited for blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) or a brow lift.
Eyelid and brow lift surgery are upper facial rejuvenation techniques that restore a smoother lifted brow and more open, beautiful eyes.
But which should you choose? And can having both give you that brighter appearance you’re seeking?
Here’s what you need to know about these two life-changing face procedures.
What Is a Brow Lift?
When sagging happens at the upper third of the face, a brow lift is often the first thing most patients think of. And that makes sense. Higher, arched brows are associated with youth and being more “awake.”
A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, addresses forehead lines, making it an excellent choice for upper-face rejuvenation.
A Brow Lift:
Reduces horizontal lines on the forehead
Improves “frown lines” between the brows
Raises sagging brows to a more youthful position and arch
How a Brow Lift Is Performed
You will be given either general anesthesia (“sleeping anesthesia”) or IV sedation.
An incision is made along the hairline or just back from the hairline so that it will be virtually undetectable later.
The forehead skin is lifted, and the muscle is adjusted into a higher position.
The incision is closed.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, or an “eyelid lift,” does just that: it relieves the look of drooping eyelids and heavy bags beneath the eyes.
While it addresses one of the most common places on the face to show age, it can’t address forehead wrinkles or lift the brow.
Blepharoplasty:
Reduces upper eyelid hooding
Raises upper lids, lower lids, or both
Minimizes fat pockets beneath the eyes
Gives the eyes a more open look
Can improve peripheral vision
How Blepharoplasty Is Performed
You will be given either general anesthesia or IV sedation.
Either the upper lid, lower lid, or both are addressed.
For the upper lid lift (upper blepharoplasty), the surgeon cuts along the natural crease. He or she removes or repositions excess skin, muscle, and fat. The incision is closed.
For the lower lid lift (lower blepharoplasty), the surgeon cuts along the lash line. He or she removes excess skin, muscle, and fat. The incision is closed.
Which Upper Facial Rejuvenation Treatment Should You Choose?
Because both procedures address the upper face around the eyes, it can be difficult to know which one you need (or if you can benefit from both).
Unfortunately, upper eyelid hooding — one of the primary causes for these procedures — can be caused by laxity in either the upper eyelid or a sagging brow, and these factors require different surgical techniques.
When your upper eyelid hooding is caused by loose skin on the upper eyelid, but the brow remains relatively elevated, blepharoplasty is often a safe bet.
When the cause of your eyelid hood is the weight of a sagging brow, an eyelid lift will not adequately address the situation since the brow tissue is responsible. In this case, a brow lift is necessary.
Sit down with your cosmetic surgeon and discuss all your options.
Ask your cosmetic surgeon what result you can expect from your facial procedures. Make sure to keep your expectations realistic. You can’t actually turn back the hands of time, but you can achieve a more youthful and “awake” appearance with either a brow or an eyelid lift.
Should You Have Both Facial Surgeries?
Another option is to combine these procedures. This way, you can get an overall “lift” and rejuvenation with just one recovery period.
This is especially true if you know you will ultimately want the second procedure. Rather than waiting months or a few years in between, you might benefit from having both surgeries performed simultaneously.
Is Recovery More Difficult if You Have Eyelid and Brow Lift Surgery at the Same Time?
Not necessarily. A larger portion of your face may be swollen, and you may have more bruising, but you should be able to return to your regular activities in the same amount of time if your overall health is good and you follow all postoperative instructions.
Ask your cosmetic surgeon what your recovery time will be like and what instructions you will need to follow.
Interested in Learning More About Blepharoplasty or a Brow Lift in Manhattan?
If you’d like to find out how one or both of these procedures can help you look and feel your best, contact Dr. Karlinsky and her team at New Look New Life at 212-830-6830 or fill out the form.