The skin around the eyes is among the most delicate and unforgivable on the entire body. It is often the first area to show signs of aging as the skin loses collagen and elastin. Over time, you’ll notice loose and sagging skin that hovers over your eyes and causes your brow to sag, causing you to look older, more tired, and even perpetually unhappy.
Brow lifts and blepharoplasty are two cosmetic procedures that can restore a more youthful and radiant appearance to your face. You can choose a brow lift to correct drooping eyebrows, an eyelid lift to correct sagging eyelids or under-eye bags, or both to restore the entire upper one-third of your face.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the differences and similarities between these two facial rejuvenation procedures so that you can better understand which one might best help you reach your aesthetic goals.
What Is A Brow Lift?
A brow lift, also known as a browplasty or forehead lift, is a surgical procedure that targets signs of aging that affect the area above the eyebrows, including the forehead. A drooping brow can also affect the upper eyelids, leading many patients to believe that they need an “eyelid lift” when it’s their brow that needs attention. A brow lift can reduce drooping brows, improve the hairline, and bring a beautiful, awake appearance to the eyes.
What Is Eyelid Surgery?
A blepharoplasty, commonly referred to as eyelid surgery, removes excess skin and fat on the lower and/or upper eyelids, giving the patient a nice, natural crease. An upper blepharoplasty addresses heavy, sagging upper eyelids, while a lower blepharoplasty rejuvenates under-eye darkness and bags.
At Faces PPLC, a blepharoplasty will make the eyes look more open and brighten the patient’s appearance while leaving their unique eye shape the same.
What Are the Differences Between Brow Lift and Blepharoplasty?
Both brow lifts and blepharoplasty can refresh and revitalize your look. The main difference between these two cosmetic procedures is the area of the face they will address. A brow lift targets the skin and soft tissue along the forehead and hairline. In contrast, a blepharoplasty removes excess skin and fat from the upper or lower eyelids.
A blepharoplasty can improve the appearance of the eyes, but it’s not able to address the eyebrows. Alternatively, a brow lift will reposition the eyebrows while simultaneously improving the appearance of the upper eyelids without directly removing any skin or fat from these areas.
A brow lift incision is made along the hairline on the forehead, whereas a blepharoplasty incision is placed in the natural creases of the upper or lower eyelids.
Brow Lift vs. Eyelid Surgery: Which One Is for Me?
Patients who are unhappy with the appearance of sagging eyelids often wonder which procedure is best. Choosing between a brow lift or a blepharoplasty depends on several factors, including:
- The signs of aging on your upper face and around your eyes
- The condition of your skin
- Cosmetic concerns you would like to address
- Results you’re hoping to achieve with surgery
A blepharoplasty is best suited for patients with hooded eyelids but good brow position, bags under their eyes, or obstructed vision due to drooping upper eyelids.
Alternatively, a brow lift surgery is ideal for patients with drooping eyebrows, fine lines and wrinkles on the forehead, or impaired vision due to heavy eyebrows.
The best way to determine which is best for you is to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
Combining Brow Lift and Eyelid Surgery
In some cases, a brow lift or eyelid surgery on its own isn’t enough to address all of the patient’s cosmetic concerns. When both of these procedures are done at the same time, it allows your surgeon to create more comprehensive results that take into account the upper portion of the face as a whole rather than just one part of it. In addition, both procedures require a recovery period that can last for up to two weeks. If both procedures are done together, the patient will only have to complete one recovery period rather than having to go through two separate ones.
Learn More About Brow Lift and Blepharoplasty in Jackson, MS!
If you are considering rejuvenating your eyes, whether through a brow lift or a blepharoplasty, the first step is to always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to learn more about what each procedure offers and find out which one is the best option for your goals.
As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jordan at Faces PLLC is one of the very best brow lift and blepharoplasty surgeons in Jackson, MS. He is highly educated and experienced in the delicate intricacies of the skin, tissues, and muscles around the eyes and brow line. Schedule your consultation today by calling (601) 607-3033 or contacting us through our website.