Rejuvenate & Lift: The Differences Between Eyelid Surgery and a Brow Lift

Picture this: you’re washing your face one night when you lean closer to the mirror, raising your brows and widening your eyes. As you relax, you notice the subtle changes in your skin. You lift your brow with your fingertips, then gently pull the skin around your eyes to see how it looks when it’s tighter… like it did when you were younger.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone — most of us have occasional moments in front of the mirror when we take a hard look at the changes time has brought on our skin, particularly around our eyes and foreheads.

That’s one reason eye plastic surgery is very popular among East Tennessee patients (and beyond) who visit The Lucas Center. The eyes and upper face hold so much natural expression and beauty, and many of Dr. Lucas’s patients come in hoping to refresh and highlight those features again.

Popular Cosmetic Eye Surgeries: Blepharoplasty vs. Eyebrow Lift

Two popular eye-area procedures that Dr. Lucas often performs are blepharoplasty (also known as “eyelid rejuvenation”) and eyebrow lifts (or “brow lifts”). Both surgeries can have long-lasting, positive effects on the upper face and eye area; however, they are often confused with one another.

Let’s look at how blepharoplasty and eyebrow lifts work individually, including what they help treat, so you can see how they’re different and determine which one has the greatest potential to yield the results you’re looking for…

Blepharoplasty – For the Upper & Lower Eyelids

For patients experiencing drooping, sagging, or creasing skin directly around the eyes, eyelid rejuvenation can have a transformative effect. 

Here’s how a blepharoplasty procedure typically works: 

• Blepharoplasty focuses on the thin, delicate skin close to the eyes. 
• It can be performed on the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both. 
• Dr. Lucas makes small, discreet incisions in the eyelid creases, then removes and repositions excess skin, muscle, and fat as necessary before placing delicate sutures in the area. 

The results:

• Significantly reduced drooping or sagging below the eyes (lower blepharoplasty) and creasing and drooping above the eyes (upper blepharoplasty) — giving a brighter, more alert, and more youthful look. 
• Bonus! Vision may also be improved, if droopy upper lids were obstructing it prior to surgery. 

Eyebrow Lift – For the Brow & Above

Whereas blepharoplasty is focused very close to the eyes themselves, an eyebrow lift occurs higher up on the face. 

Here’s how a surgical brow lift works: 

• Dr. Lucas makes five small incisions along your hairline. 
• Next, with endoscopic technology, he releases and repositions the skin on your forehead to pull it tight, removing excess skin from the brow as needed. 
• Delicate sutures are hidden among the hairline to help hide and minimize scarring. 

The results: 

• Brow lift patients enjoy a smoother, more youthful appearance with minimal scarring. 
• Creasing, wrinkling, and frown lines on the brow are significantly reduced. 
• Slight tightening of the upper eyelid may occur (due to the skin above tightening), but no excess skin is removed from the eyelids.

How to Decide Which Procedure is Best for You

In short, if your concerns are located at or above your eyebrows, you’re more than likely a candidate for an eyebrow lift. On the other hand, if you’re focused on drooping, sagging, or puffy skin on the upper or lower eyelids, eyelid rejuvenation (aka blepharoplasty) may be a better fit for you. 

Concerned about both areas? Fortunately, these two surgeries may be performed in conjunction with one another, resulting in a much brighter, smoother, more alert eye area for many patients. You can see real results of this combo in our before-and-after gallery. 

There’s No Substitute for Expert Advice from a Surgeon

Ultimately, the most effective way to determine the best procedure for you is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon you trust. 

When you meet with Dr. Lucas, he’ll listen to your goals thoroughly before performing a comprehensive facial examination. From there, he’ll provide personalized advice based on decades of expertise in both the science and artistry of facial surgery, including a residency in oral/maxillofacial surgery and a craniofacial fellowship.

When you’re ready, you can book your consultation online or give us a call at (865) 218-6210.