Both the top and lower eyelids tend to become droopy and creased with age. Nonetheless, surgical procedures like a brow lift or blepharoplasty may reverse the effects of time on your appearance. While both surgeries address the long-term issues of sagging skin around the upper eyelids, it is essential to understand how each will assist you specifically in ensuring that you make the correct decision. Here is what to know about these two surgeries and how a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Salman Ashruf.
What is a Brow lift?
The brow lift addresses the skin of the face above the eyebrows. It can effectively smooth forehead lines and frown lines, and sagging eyebrows and upper eyelids may also be significantly improved with a brow lift. The two most popular types of brow lift surgery are the traditional open incision approach and the less invasive gliding brow lift. Each option can effectively lift the brows and reduce heaviness on the upper eyes.
What is Blepharoplasty?
Upper blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, can excise loose, heavy skin on the upper eyelids. During upper blepharoplasty, the incision is discretely placed inside the eyelid’s natural crease, making it virtually undetectable. During this procedure, excess skin that sits on top of the eyelashes is removed and a new crease is created further up. Lower blepharoplasty can be paired with it to remove bags of fat under the eyes, too.
Which One Do I Need?
Eyebrows and eyelids have a complex and intricate association. Patients with drooping eyelids may actually benefit from lifting the eyebrows rather than excising the upper eyelids, or vice versa. When a sagging eyelid is caused by the brow drooping and pulling the skin downward, a patient is better off obtaining an eyebrow lift. Yet, certain patients have naturally higher brows, and lifting the brows further may cause an unnatural appearance – in which case, eyelid surgery may be better. Still, for some patients, a combination of eyelid surgery and a brow lift can yield the best results. Ultimately, Dr. Ashruf is the foremost expert who can recommend whether you may benefit more from a brow lift or eyelid surgery. It may be helpful to Dr. Ashruf to bring pictures of yourself during a younger age so he may examine the proportions of your upper face.
Schedule a Consultation
The best way to determine whether a brow lift or eyelid surgery can achieve your cosmetic goals is by consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon. To meet with Dr. Ashruf, schedule a consultation today at our Hanover area office by calling or filling out our online contact form.