As you age, your skin starts to lose its elasticity, leading to lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Due to the fact that the area around the eyes is so thin and delicate, it is often one of the first places that the signs of ageing develop.
If you want to achieve a younger, fresher appearance, treating the eye area should be a top priority. The question is, should you opt for a brow lift or blepharoplasty? Here, you’ll discover everything you need to know about both procedures to determine which one is right for you.
What is a brow lift?
A brow lift is a surgical procedure that aims to address drooping or excess skin around the eyes and forehead. It does this by raising the brows, which in turn tightens the skin on the upper eyelid.
There are a number of techniques that can be used to carry out the procedure. It may be performed with an endoscopic camera, or an incision may be made on the upper eyelid.
When the brows are lifted, it makes you appear a lot younger. You will also have a more refreshed appearance, leaving you looking a lot more awake. The procedure is typically carried out under general anaesthetic, and it takes around one to two hours on average to complete.
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a procedure that aims to eliminate excess skin from the eyelids. Over time, the skin around the eyes stretches, and the muscles weaken. This can cause excess fat and skin to develop both above and underneath your eyelids.
As well as making you look older, sagging skin around the eyes can also lead to vision problems. A blepharoplasty can resolve issues such as droopy eyelids, bags under the eyes, and excess skin.
An incision will be made along the natural crease of the eyelid, helping to hide any scarring. Once the incision has been made, the excess skin will be removed, alongside any fat if needed. The cut will then be closed, and you will be sent to a recovery room until you feel well enough o go home.
Which procedure is right for you?
Both a brow lift and blepharoplasty can help to create a more youthful appearance. It could be that you would benefit from having both procedures carried out at the same time.
If your problem is a heavy brow, then a brow lift would be the right choice. However, if it is down to heavy eyelids, blepharoplasty would be the ideal option. If you have both heavy brows and heavy lids, a combination of the two procedures would work best.
In terms of recovery, both procedures may cause bruising and swelling for one or two weeks. If you undergo blepharoplasty, you may need eye drops until the wound has healed.
To get the best idea of which procedure is right for you, book a consultation with Mr Horlock today.
