What surgery are all the young celebrities getting that gives them a sleek, fox eye look? Is it eyelid surgery or a brow lift, or both?
A blepharoplasty and a brow lift are two very different procedures done to two different aspects of the face.
A brow lift is a procedure done to alter brow position and address excess skin on the forehead, getting rid of wrinkles and opening up the eyes. A brow lift can fix drooping of the brows, improve the hairline, and freshen up the patient’s eye area without having to get eyelid surgery.
There are different types of brow lifts, including:
- Endoscopic brow lift
- Internal browpexy
- Direct brow lift
- Temporal brow lift
An endoscopic brow lift, sometimes referred to as a “forehead lift”, is a less invasive procedure with a quicker recovery time. Your plastic surgeon will make very small, hidden incisions within the hair line and raise the drooping, excess skin of the forehead, getting rid of wrinkles and drooping brows.
An internal browpexy is another minimally invasive procedure that is performed alongside an upper blepharoplasty. This surgery addresses that droopiness of the outer portion of the eyelid. It is performed alongside an upper blepharoplasty so that your surgeon can use the same incision, just above the brow to lift the brow.
A direct brow lift is a simple technique where your plastic surgeon will create incisions directly above the brows which gives the surgeon direct control over the shape and height of the brow.
A temporal brow lift, or a lateral brow lift, is a procedure that only corrects the outer portion of the brow area. This technique is less dramatic than other brow lift techniques, but the recovery time is shorter.
Patient’s looking for the “fox eye” look, a popular trend, may be a candidate for a temporal brow lift, says Dr. Kulak our Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon.
Most brow lift procedures are minimally invasive, require little down time, and have a quick recovery period. Patients will be able to leave the office without any bandages and experience minimal discomfort.
You can also get a non-surgical brow lift using a neurotoxin such as Botox or Dysport. By injecting a neurotoxin into the muscles that pull the eyes downward, the muscles become relaxed and elevate the brows. This result is mild and will require maintenance every 3 to 4 months.
A blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is a separate procedure that is performed to get rid of excess skin and fat on the lower and/or upper eyelids and clean up the look of the eyes, giving the patient a nice, natural crease. An upper blepharoplasty addresses sagging eyelids, while a lower blepharoplasty addresses under-eye bags.
Dr. Kulak says that the procedure will make the eyes look more open, and brighten their appearance, but it will not change the shape of the eyes.
Every patient’s face is different, so it is best to schedule an in-person consultation with a specialist to determine which procedure is right for you. A blepharoplasty is recommended for patients that specifically want to address sagging, heavy eyelids and a brow lift is recommended for patients with lower or sagging brows.
If the drooping of the eyelid goes away when your brows are raised, then a brow lift may be the procedure you are looking for.
Sometimes droopiness of the upper eyelid may be because of lower brow position. Dr. Kulak explains that in these cases, patients may need both a blepharoplasty and a brow lift to achieve the lifted, rejuvenated look they that they desire. The two procedures can be done efficiently in just one surgery. The surgeries are performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation.
For upper blepharoplasty eyelid incisions are done at the natural crease so that scars are not visible when the eyes are open. The scars are permanent, and as they heal, are barely noticeable. Lower eyelid surgery does not require external incisions and does not produce a scare. Both upper and lower eyelid surgery incisions heal quickly and are hard to detect.
Each surgery comes with its risks. There are rarely any complications associated with eyelid or brow surgery. The most common risk that occurs is a hematoma. A hematoma is when blood collects under the skin. This occurs in about one percent of patients and can be removed during surgery. It does not have any effect on long term or short-term recovery. In the rare event that the hematoma is deeper, more rapid treatment is needed. Unusual risks include infection, eye irritation, or delayed healing and scarring. Sometimes weaker eyelids can droop after surgery and need a corrective procedure.
Both procedures enhance your appearance, combat the aging look, and help build your confidence. We recommend scheduling a consultation with a specialist to get the best advice on whether or not to proceed with surgery.