Common Questions Answered About Eyelid Lifts

An eyelid lift—otherwise known as a blepharoplasty—is a surgical procedure that can help refresh and rejuvenate your overall look by lifting the skin around the eyes. If you have puffiness, bags beneath the eyes, or other concerns making you seem tired or older than you feel, this can be a great solution to give your face a fresher, more youthful appearance.

Want to learn more about this procedure and what it entails? Read below to find some of the top blepharoplasty questions answered.

What is an eyelid lift, and who is it for?

Eyelid lifts involve removing excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids to create a smoother appearance or reduce droopiness. For that reason, eyelid lifts can be a good choice for anyone with concerns like sagging upper eyelids, puffiness, or bags under the eyes. 

This procedure provides a lifting effect that can help you look youthful and well-rested. In some cases, eyelid lifts can also help to improve vision impairments caused by drooping eyelids.

What is the difference between an upper and lower eyelid lift?

An eyelid lift addresses the upper lids by removing excess skin and fat. This helps correct droopiness and restore a more youthful-looking contour. It’s also the treatment recommended if drooping eyelids are causing vision impairments.

Lower lid eye lifts target wrinkles, puffiness, bags, or sagging skin beneath the eyes. This can help you to improve contours beneath the eyes, reduce under-eye bags, and create a more awake look.

How long does recovery take after an eyelid lift?

Recovery times can vary, but any swelling or bruising will generally fade within 10 to 14 days. Your physician will typically remove sutures after one week. 

During the healing process, you may experience numbness and itching. This is normal and should fade as you heal.

After the procedure, your doctor may ask you to limit certain activities to promote faster healing. They may also provide you with eyelid surgery recovery tips—like keeping cold compresses on hand so that you can use them as needed to alleviate any pain. Your doctor may also prescribe pain medications if needed to enhance comfort during the healing process.

Are there non-surgical alternatives to an eyelid lift?

There aren’t any nonsurgical eyelid lift options, but there are alternative treatments that can address concerns around the eyes. For example, botulinum toxin injections like Botox are popular for reducing fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Additionally, skin resurfacing techniques can also help improve your skin’s texture and appearance.

However, nonsurgical alternatives may not achieve the same results. While they can treat minor concerns, a surgical eyelid lift may be better if you have significant amounts of sagging or excess skin.

What results can I expect, and how long will they last?

Eyelid lifts can provide dramatic results by eliminating sagging and reducing under-eye bags. That’s why you’ll often see a much more youthful and refreshed look in eyelid lifts before and after images.

The results are long-lasting, too, particularly compared to temporary treatments like Botox. However, remember that the natural aging process will continue, and that means that new wrinkles or droopiness may appear over time. You can help slow this process down by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and by protecting your skin against sun exposure.

Can an eyelid lift correct dark circles?

Typically, no. Eyelid lifts in the under-eye region can reduce bags, which in turn reduces shadowing that can make this area appear darker. However, the procedure itself will not brighten dark or discolored skin.

How do I know I’m a good candidate for an eyelid lift?

An ideal candidate for an eyelid lift is someone who is in good overall health and who has realistic expectations about the potential outcome. You may have concerns like excess skin on the upper eyelids—particularly if it affects your vision—or puffiness, bags, or droopiness beneath the eyes.

If this sounds like you, then the next step is to schedule a consultation with our qualified surgeon, Dr. Vargas. During the consultation, you and your doctor can discuss your concerns and determine if this procedure aligns with your needs and goals.

What common procedures can be performed in conjunction with an eyelid lift?

If you have several goals you’d like to achieve, a variety of facial procedures can be performed at the same time as an eyelid lift. For example, if you want to lift the entire eye area, you may consider doing a brow lift, too. Or if your goal is to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, you can get Botox injections at the same time as an eyelid lift.

Other procedures, such as chemical peels, laser resurfacing, or fat grafting, can be performed alongside an eyelid lift to help smooth skin, improve texture, and restore a more youthful look.

Learn More about Eyelid Lifts by Scheduling a Consultation

Ready to take the next steps? If you have concerns about sagging skin, under-eye bags, or other issues around your eyes, an eyelid lift may be the right treatment for you. 

To discuss your options or learn more about eyelid lift benefits, schedule a consultation at Vargas Face & Skin. We’ll help you choose a treatment that aligns with your aesthetic goals.