In practice, a blepharoplasty can refer to an upper eyelid lift, a lower eyelid lift, or both. While patients with advanced signs of aging may benefit from combining both lifts into one procedure, other patients may want to only address a specific cosmetic or functional concern. For example, upper eyelid surgery may be ideal for patients who have sagging skin obscuring their vision, while lower eyelid surgery is best for those who want to minimize the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Here are some of the differences between the two procedures and what they can address.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
The goal of this type of blepharoplasty is to remove excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids. As we age, the skin around our upper eye becomes droopy and puffy. While sagging skin is more likely to occur in older patients, fat deposits resulting in puffiness can occur in patients in their 20s or 30s.
During this procedure, incisions are made in the natural crease of the eyelids to help trim away loose skin and reposition them. When the excess tissue is removed, the eyelids are then lifted for a more youthful appearance.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
This procedure is focused on correcting bags and fine lines under the eyes. During the aging process, the cheeks will start to lose volume, causing the lower eyes to appear hollow. In addition, since the lower eyelids are lax, they develop wrinkles over time as they retract from the eye. This can make pouches of fat underneath look more prominent as well, leading to a puffy, sunken look.
Lower eyelid surgery usually involves an incision right below the lower eyelashes. Skin and fat are removed during the procedure and, if necessary, the remaining fat is redistributed to look less puffy.
Considering a Blepharoplasty Procedure?
If you want to restore the youthfulness of your eyes, call us today at 865-524-2442 to schedule an initial consultation. He will walk you through each procedure and help determine which one is right for you. We happily serve patients living in Knoxville, Sevierville, and surrounding Tennessee communities.
