Eyelid lift surgery.

Blepharoplasty is surgery of the upper or lower eyelids that removes or repositions excess skin, fat, and other tissue to improve eyelid contour and function.

The procedure may be performed for cosmetic reasons, such as reducing a heavy or tired appearance, or for functional reasons when excess upper eyelid tissue interferes with vision.

Blepharoplasty can involve the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The appropriate approach depends on your anatomy and the specific concern being treated.

People considering blepharoplasty often describe their eyes as looking tired, heavy, hooded, puffy, or older than they feel.

Depending on the cause, eyelid surgery may address:

• Excess or loose upper eyelid skin
• Hooded upper eyelids
• Heavy-looking upper eyelids
• Skin that rests on or near the eyelashes
• Upper eyelid tissue that interferes with vision
• Persistent under-eye bags
• Bulging or protruding lower eyelid fat
• Loose lower eyelid skin
• Age-related changes around the eyes

Not every concern around the eyes is caused by excess eyelid skin. A drooping eyelid may be caused by ptosis, while a low eyebrow may contribute to upper eyelid heaviness. Under-eye swelling may also be caused by festoons rather than typical lower eyelid bags.

Identifying the underlying cause is an important part of determining the appropriate treatment.

Upper and lower blepharoplasty treat different areas and concerns.

Upper eyelid surgery primarily addresses excess skin and tissue of the upper eyelid. It may be performed to improve appearance, improve function when excess tissue affects the visual field, or address both concerns.

Patients commonly consider upper blepharoplasty because their eyelids appear hooded or heavy, makeup is difficult to apply, or excess skin interferes with vision.

Lower eyelid surgery primarily addresses bags, bulging fat, loose skin, and other age-related changes beneath the eyes.

Rather than simply removing tissue, the surgical approach should take into account the relationship between the lower eyelid, under-eye area, and cheek to create a balanced result.

Upper and lower blepharoplasty can be performed together and also can be combined with other procedures such as eyebrow or forehead lift and midface lift.

Blepharoplasty can be cosmetic, functional, or a combination of the two.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery is performed primarily to improve the appearance of the eyelids and surrounding area. Patients may want to reduce hooding, under-eye bags, loose skin, or a persistently tired appearance.

Functional eyelid surgery addresses eyelid problems that interfere with vision or everyday function. For example, excess upper eyelid skin may extend far enough over the eye to restrict part of a patient’s visual field.

An examination can help determine whether your concern is cosmetic, functional, or both.

A low or descending eyebrow can sometimes create or worsen the appearance of heavy upper eyelids. In those cases, removing eyelid skin alone may not address the entire problem.

Blepharoplasty treats the eyelid itself. A brow lift changes the position of the eyebrow and forehead tissues. Some patients benefit from one procedure, while others may benefit from addressing both areas.

Your surgeon will evaluate the relationship between your brows, upper eyelids, forehead, and facial anatomy before recommending treatment.

Your Blepharoplasty Consultation

Every patient has unique facial anatomy and goals. A consultation at Utah Eyelid & Facial Plastic Surgery provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns and learn about your treatment options.

You may be a candidate for blepharoplasty if excess eyelid skin, hooding, under-eye bags, or other structural changes around your eyes affect your appearance, vision, or daily activities.

Age alone does not determine whether someone is a candidate. Genetics, facial anatomy, eyelid function, overall health, previous procedures, and your specific goals all matter.

A consultation with an oculoplastic surgeon can also determine whether your concern is actually caused by excess eyelid tissue or whether ptosis, brow position, festoons, or another condition should be addressed instead.

Blepharoplasty and ptosis repair are not the same procedure.

Blepharoplasty generally addresses excess eyelid skin, fat, and related tissue.

Ptosis repair treats an upper eyelid that sits too low because of a problem involving the structures that elevate the eyelid.

A patient can have excess upper eyelid skin, ptosis, or both conditions at the same time. Because they can look similar, an eyelid examination is important for determining which condition is causing the drooping or heaviness.

Yes, in appropriate patients. When excess upper eyelid tissue obstructs part of the visual field, functional eyelid surgery may improve the amount of unobstructed vision.

However, not every heavy or drooping eyelid is caused by excess skin. Ptosis, eyebrow position, and other conditions can also affect how open the eye appears and may require a different treatment.

Blepharoplasty is customized to the patient’s anatomy and whether the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both are being treated.

During upper blepharoplasty, the surgeon works through a carefully planned incision in the natural upper eyelid crease to address the skin and other tissue contributing to heaviness or hooding.

Lower eyelid surgery may involve removing or repositioning fat and addressing loose skin or supporting structures when appropriate. The specific technique depends on the patient’s anatomy and the cause of the under-eye concern.

During your consultation, your surgeon can explain the recommended technique, surgical setting, anesthesia plan, expected recovery, and whether another procedure should be considered at the same time.

Bruising and swelling are expected after eyelid surgery and generally improve as healing progresses. Recovery varies depending on whether upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or multiple procedures were performed.

Your surgical team will provide instructions for caring for the area after surgery, managing swelling, protecting the incisions, and returning safely to normal activities.

Because healing varies from person to person, patients should follow their surgeon’s individualized instructions rather than relying on a single recovery timeline.

The eyelids are delicate structures that require specialized knowledge and surgical expertise. Utah Eyelid & Facial Plastic Surgery focuses specifically on eyelid and facial procedures, allowing our surgeons to provide advanced care for both cosmetic and functional concerns.

Patients choose our practice because of:

• Fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeons
• Specialized expertise in eyelid and facial anatomy
• Experience with cosmetic and functional eyelid procedures
• Advanced surgical techniques
• Commitment to natural-looking results
• Patient-centered care and detailed evaluations

Our approach combines medical expertise with an understanding of facial aesthetics to help patients achieve results that look natural and balanced.

If heavy or hooded upper eyelids, under-eye bags, drooping eyelids, or changes around your eyes are bothering you, the first step is determining what is actually causing the concern.

An evaluation at Utah Eyelid & Facial Plastic Surgery can help determine whether upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, brow surgery, or another treatment is appropriate for you.

Request a consultation with Utah Eyelid & Facial Plastic Surgery.

Upper Blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty (pronounced “blef-a-ro-plasty”) can give the eyes a more youthful look by removing excess skin, bulging fat, and lax muscle from the upper or lower eyelids. If the sagging upper eyelid skin obstructs peripheral vision, blepharoplasty can eliminate the obstruction and expand the visual field.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Fat in the lower eyelids can be removed or repositioned through an incision hidden on the inner surface of the eyelid. Repositioning the fat into the tear troughs, helps reduce under eye circles, as seen in the picture below. A chemical peel can be performed at the same time if desired, to smooth and tighten the lower lid skin. If there is excessive skin in the lower lid, it is removed through an incision made just below the lashes. The incision is then closed with fine sutures, which leave very minimal scarring.

Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty

Upper and lower blepharoplasty can be performed together and also can be combined with other procedures such as eyebrow or forehead lift and midface lift.