Differences Between Blepharoplasty and Brow Lift

Patients seeking solutions for weary eyes and worn-out expressions typically consider two surgical options: blepharoplasty and brow lift. After evaluating the specific facial areas that are showing signs of aging, experienced Sacramento plastic surgeon Dr. Debra Johnson may recommend one of these effective procedures to erase lines, wrinkles — and years — from your appearance.

Brow Lift

When brows sag with age, your expression may seem less joyful, even sad or angry. Lines and furrows begin to form on the forehead and around the eyes. Brow lift is a solution to these common issues, restoring an alert, engaged look while smoothing out frown lines, creases and wrinkles. During the procedure, Dr. Johnson lifts forehead skin and the brow area to restore a youthful facial appearance. Brow lifts are often done in conjunction with facial fat transfers, eyelid surgery or facelift.

Brow lift will improve the appearance of sagging skin, crow’s feet, frown lines and deep lines on the forehead, but not completely eliminate them. With your brow newly elevated and the skin tightened, you will find yourself raising your brows less often, which is what causes forehead lines. If “hooding” of your upper eyelids was caused by loose skin in this area, brow lift will also improve the appearance of skin around the eyes.

With a brow lift procedure, it is important for the surgeon to pay attention to symmetry in the brow area. If the inner brow is raised more than the outer brow, the look will be unnatural.

Eyelid Lift

When the main concern is loose skin and an accumulation of fat in the upper and lower eyelids, blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, is often the best choice. Blepharoplasty removes excess skin and fat, but does not change the position of the eyebrow.

If you are satisfied with the shape and placement of your brow, but have excess skin below the brow, an eyelid lift may be all you need.

A key benefit of blepharoplasty is that it is a long-lasting solution. Once fat is removed, it will never come back. The procedure does not freeze time, however; you will experience a normal loosening of skin over the next 10 or 20 years.

Because blepharoplasty is meant to last years, it is important that a surgeon be careful not to remove too much skin. If this happens, dry eyes and difficulty completely closing the eyelids may result. Dr. Johnson favors a conservative approach, removing an amount that is sufficient to give you a relaxed, optimistic look.

To learn more about brow lift or eyelid lift, schedule your personal consultation with experienced Sacramento plastic surgeon Dr. Debra Johnson by calling (916) 929-1833 or emailing our office today.