Eyelid Lift or Brow Lift?

Eyelid lifts and brow lifts are both minimally invasive procedures that tighten the skin and reverse other signs of aging in the upper portion of the face. Both brow lifts and eyelid lifts can promote a more alert, youthful appearance by reducing the loose tissue around the eyes, only brow lifts provide a smoothening effect for the forehead. Although these procedures are somewhat similar in the results they produce, they are distinct in a number of ways. 

If you’re looking for a comprehensive solution that will flatter your face shape and bring back the features of your younger self, consider booking a personal consultation with Dr. Gregory Fedele. As a board-certified, award-winning plastic surgeon and researcher with over 20 years of experience, he will guide you in the right direction for addressing your distinct facial concerns. 

Dr. Fedele balances both his artistic eye and precise surgical techniques to ensure each patient gets natural-looking results that will last for many years to come. To get in touch with his practice in Cleveland, OH, call (216) 464-1616 or request a consultation online. Your request and any other questions will be promptly answered by a member of our staff. 

Before and After Photos

Key Similarities and Differences Between Eyelid Lifts and Brow Lifts 

Dr. Raymond Passot was the first surgeon to pioneer the methods of the modern brow lift. In 1919, he was able to remove a patient’s “crow’s feet” wrinkles and performed the brow lift utilizing tiny, oval-shaped incisions beside each eyebrow. ⁽¹⁾ The eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, was first described by Dr. Salvador Castañaresis in 1951. During his research period between 1951 and 1967, he outlined the locations of the fat deposits in the orbital (eye) region and found surgical methods to correct several cosmetic eyelid issues. ⁽²⁾ Since their inception, these procedures have come a long way and are now one of the most reliable methods of eliminating the look of sagging skin with the use of tiny, subtle incisions. However, they produce results that are unique from each other. With an eyelid lift, also known as a blepharoplasty, you can expect: 

A brow lift, also called a forehead lift, is often combined with a blepharoplasty to maximize its results. While it cannot address excess tissue under the eyes, it can: 

Before and After Photos

Candidates 

The decision between an eyelid lift, a brow lift, or both is a careful decision that can be made between you and Dr. Fedele. Regardless of your cosmetic desires, you should know that in order to receive one of these procedures, you should be in good general health with no major cardiovascular or blood-clotting issues. Those with diabetes should have their condition well-managed prior to undergoing surgery. Finally, ideal candidates are between the ages of 35 and 70 and have realistic expectations. 

Personal Consultation

At your personal consultation with Dr. Fedele, you can expect a thorough health evaluation, a discussion concerning the specific cosmetic issues you’d like to correct, and an outline of the preparation and recovery process. At Dr. Fedele’s practice in Cleveland, OH, you can expect to get judgment-free, high-quality care that meets or exceeds your expectations. Dr. Fedele believes in the power of making a patient feel like their most confident self. To get started today, give his practice a call at (216) 464-1616 or submit a request for a consultation through our contact form.

Preparation

Although these two procedures have some significant differences, the preparation process is roughly the same. For a blepharoplasty, Dr. Fedele will evaluate your overall eye health. For both procedures, he will require blood tests to get a better idea of your health as a whole. If you are a smoker or consume nicotine products, you’ll be required to quit for 4 to 6 weeks leading up to your surgery. These products slow down your healing processes and negatively affect your circulation, which can contribute to the likelihood of complications or lead to a slower recovery. Roughly 2 weeks before your procedure, you will have to stop the use of all blood thinners and anti-inflammatories that can increase your risk of excessive bleeding during surgery. Finally, you may want to pick up all prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications approved by Dr. Fedele, and cold compresses that will help reduce swelling during the first few days. Regardless of the type of anesthesia you receive, you will need someone to drive you home afterward, so plan accordingly. 

Types of Eyelid Lifts 

Upper Blepharoplasty

With an upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Fedele will make a discreet, horizontal incision within the crease of the upper eyelid. After excising a portion of skin, he will tighten the two sides of the skin. With some patients, he may remove small areas of fat from the upper eyelid and even modify the orbicularis oculi, the muscle of the eyelid socket. If necessary, he will remove part of the nasal fat pad- a tiny fat deposit nestled within the corner of the eye- in order to make the eyes seem larger. 

Lower Blepharoplasty

This procedure, also called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty involves one horizontal incision that follows the border of the lower eyelid. Dr. Fedele will precisely access the fat pad underneath and tighten the skin of this area. Sometimes, he may tighten the lower lid tarsoligamentous complex, a portion of connective tissue. ⁽³⁾ 

Ptosis Surgery 

If the amount of skin around your eyes is beginning to obscure your vision, you may be able to qualify for a ptosis surgery that is often covered by insurance. Those with severe ptosis of the eyelid may also require surgical elevation of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle, the muscle responsible for maintaining the position of the eyelids. 

Types of Brow Lifts 

Endoscopic Brow Lift 

For this technique, Dr. Fedele will make several incisions in the scalp that are less than 2 cm. One incision will be utilized for a camera called an endoscope so that he will be able to accurately see and tighten the tissues of the forehead in the most minimally invasive way possible. ⁽⁴⁾

Lateral Brow Lift 

The lateral, or temporal brow lift, focuses more on creating more arch in the brows and correcting upper eyelid ptosis, or skin sagging. If there is more fat accumulation than skin sagging, then, an upper blepharoplasty may be more suitable. This technique only requires two incisions above the hairline.

Recovery and Results

With both eyelid and brow lifts, you may experience some degree of swelling or bruising. For both procedures, your full results will settle after a few weeks, and it will depend on how comprehensive your surgical changes are. During the first few days, you should avoid sun exposure, sweating, and exercising. Patients can return to work after 1 to 2 weeks but should refrain from exercising until one month into their recovery. Dr. Fedele will recommend that you apply ice for a few minutes at a time to relieve any discomfort. While you may be given prescription medications, many patients find that doctor-approved OTC medications work well. Blepharoplasties results last roughly 10 to 15 years, while brow lifts typically last about 10 years. Dr. Fedele recommends that patients utilize daily sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more in order to help prevent accelerated wrinkles and allow the results of these procedures to last longer. 

Cost of a Brow Lift or Eyelid Lift in Cleveland, OH 

The total cost of your brow or eyelid lift will depend on the techniques utilized, surgical fees, medication, follow-up appointments, and more. Dr. Fedele strives to give patients the most thorough care possible while working to make it affordable and accessible for those with varying budgets. For this reason, he offers CareCredit as a means for patients to make reasonably priced payments for their treatments. 

If the brow lift and eyelid lift intrigue you, but you would like to remain open to your options, please visit Dr. Fedele’s blog to explore other procedures. To move forward with a consultation, please give our office a call at (216) 464-1616 or request one through our contact form. 

References

1. de Jongh FW, Sanches EE, Pouwels S, et al. An overview of surgical techniques and non-surgical treatments in lifting the eyebrow including current treatments available. European Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2022;46(1):1-8. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-021-01911-4 
2. Espinoza GM, Holds JB. Evolution of Eyelid Surgery. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2005;13(4):505-510. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2005.09.001 
3. Rebowe RE, Runyan C. Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482381/ 
4. Raggio BS, Winters R. Endoscopic Brow Lift. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545220/