Do your eyes look tired even when you’re well-rested? Are drooping eyelids or under-eye bags affecting how you feel about your appearance—or even how well you see? The delicate skin around the eyes is often one of the first areas to show signs of aging. Our board-certified dermatologists at Skin and Beauty Center offer advanced eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), a cosmetic procedure to help refresh and restore a more youthful, alert appearance. We’re here to help you look as vibrant as you feel.
What is Blepharoplasty?
Eyelid surgery (technically called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat, usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes – features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision. However, it won’t remove crow’s feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. While it can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, it will not erase evidence of your ethnic or racial heritage. Blepharoplasty can be done alone, or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift or browlift.
The Best Candidates for Eyelid Surgery
You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you have any of the following conditions:
Upper Eyelids
- Excess skin that hides the natural fold of the upper eyelids
- Loose skin that hangs down from the upper eyelids
- Puffiness in the upper eyelids that creates a tired look
Lower Eyelids
- Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelids
- Puffy “bags”
- Dark circles in some cases
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age. A few medical conditions make blepharoplasty more risky. They include thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and Graves’ disease, dry eye or lack of sufficient tears, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. A detached retina or glaucoma is also reason for caution; check with your ophthalmologist before you have surgery.
What Should I Expect at My Eyelid Surgery Consultation?
Your surgeon will explain the techniques and anesthesia he or she will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved. (Note: Most insurance policies don’t cover eyelid surgery, unless you can prove that drooping upper lids interfere with your vision. Check with your insurer.) Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.
How Long Does Blepharoplasty Take?
Blepharoplasty usually takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. If you’re having all four eyelids done, the surgeon will probably work on the upper lids first, then the lower ones.
What Our Patients Have to Say
“Dr. Ashley is a gem! He is warm and personable, and brimming with knowledge and insight. Isis, his nurse was welcoming, and so efficient. . Everyone that I interacted with from the moment I walked through the door until I left was not only professional and efficient, but absolutely delightful!”
What are the Risks of Eyelid Surgery?
When eyelid surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complication, including infection or a reaction to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risk by closely following your surgeon’s instructions both before and after surgery.
The minor complications that occasionally follow blepharoplasty include:
- Double or blurred vision for a few days
- Temporary swelling at the corner of the eyelids
- Slight asymmetry in healing or scarring
Tiny whiteheads may appear after your stitches are taken out; your surgeon can remove them easily with a very fine needle.
What Does the Recovery Process Look Like After Eyelid Surgery?
Following surgery, some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep; in rare cases this condition may be permanent. Another very rare complication is ectropion, a pulling down of the lower lids. In this case, further surgery may be required.
Why Choose Skin and Beauty Center
At Skin and Beauty Center, your care is in the hands of experts passionate about helping you look and feel your best. As one of California’s most comprehensive skin care centers, we offer a full spectrum of services—including medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology—all under one roof. Our experienced team includes board-certified dermatologists, dermatopathologists, aestheticians, and surgeons. Whether you’re seeking eyelid surgery to refresh your appearance or treatment for a skin condition, you can trust that you’re receiving exceptional care grounded in advanced training and proven expertise.
We believe that healthy, beautiful skin is the foundation of confidence. Our goal is simple yet powerful: to take exceptional care of your skin. Our team is committed to restoring natural beauty with the most advanced treatments, tools, and techniques. From your first consultation through recovery and beyond, you’ll experience a personalized, compassionate approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do the results of eyelid surgery last?
Upper eyelid surgery can last 5-10 years or more, while lower eyelid surgery results often last longer. However, the natural aging process will continue; some may opt for touch-up procedures.
How should I prepare for eyelid surgery?
To prepare for eyelid surgery, you should:
- Stop smoking (if applicable).
- Avoid blood-thinning medications or supplements.
- Follow any instructions your surgeon provides.
- Ask a friend or relative to drive you home and stay with you the first night.
- Prepare your recovery space with cold compresses, artificial tears, and prescribed medications.
What kind of incisions are made in eyelid surgery?
Small incisions are carefully made in the natural creases of the upper eyelid or right under the lash line (or inside the lower eyelid) for the lower lid. These discreet placements help minimize visible scarring.
How long does recovery take after eyelid surgery?
Initial recovery typically takes 10-14 days, when swelling and bruising gradually subside. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work or social activities within 7-10 days. However, full healing—including tissue settling and fading scars—can take several weeks to a few months.
How soon will I see the final results?
While you may notice improvements as early as a few days after surgery, the final results usually become fully apparent within four to six weeks once most swelling resolves.
How natural will my results look?
When an experienced surgeon performs eyelid surgery, results are typically very natural-looking. The goal is to enhance your appearance subtly—not to make you look like a different person.
How can I maintain results after surgery?
To maintain your results, protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen and sunglasses, keep yourself hydrated, and avoid smoking. Adopting a good skincare routine and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help prolong your youthful look.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about our Eyelid procedures or about any of our other services, contact us today or call us at one of our various California locations.
