Upper Eyelid Lift

An upper eyelid lift is a minimally invasive surgery that involves redefining the eyelid “hoods” to promote a more youthful look that enhances the expressiveness of your eyes. The upper eyelid contains the thinnest skin in the entire body. As a result, it is much more susceptible to the aging process and the effects of UV rays from the sun. The tiny fat pockets in the hoods can make you appear older or more tired than you truly are. The skin can sometimes wrinkle and drastically change the overall shape of the eyes. 

For some, aging excess skin can even interfere with the field of vision. Some are simply born with very hooded eyelids that obscure the natural beauty of their eyes. Whatever the problem may be, most agree that eyes are one of the most noticeable features, and they make a significant impact on one’s overall appearance. Upper eyelid lifts, or blepharoplasties, can provide natural-looking results that restore more flattering contours to this part of the face. 

If you feel that an upper eyelid lift may be the solution you’re looking for, consider discussing it with the experienced team of professionals at Skin & Vein Center. Our four locations are led by the expertise of Dr. Eric Seiger, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatological surgeon who has been in practice for over 20 years. Within his career, Dr. Seiger has pioneered new facelift methods with the less invasive HourLift, a procedure that has gained worldwide popularity. When you meet with one of our doctors, you can expect comprehensive care that reviews all of your aesthetic concerns. To get in touch for a consultation today, call one of our offices closest to you: 

Alternatively, you can inquire about the upper eyelid lift through our contact form, and a member of our staff will assist you in scheduling your appointment at your earliest convenience. 

What Causes Eyelid Aging? 

As we get older, the tissues around our eyes can sag for a variety of reasons. Both smoking and sun exposure are significant contributors to skin aging in general since they interfere with the body’s production of collagen, a protein that promotes skin rigidity. Eye stress, such as sitting long hours at a computer, and high blood pressure, can also affect cosmetics. 

As the skin experiences a reduction in the quantity and overall quality of collagen fibers, it leads to the development of more lax, redundant skin that causes wrinkles. The reduction of elastin, another type of fiber, can gradually cause a weakening between the orbicularis muscle (the circular muscle surrounding the eyes) and the skin itself. ⁽¹⁾ Eyelid fat deposits also play a role in how the eyes age over time. Both above and below the eyes are small fat pads that can become more prominent as the dermis of the skin begins to experience atrophy. ⁽²⁾ For the lower eyelids, this can cause permanent eye bags that won’t resolve without surgery- even if you get enough sleep. In the upper eyelids, you may develop small lumpy bulges from the protrusion of the nasal and lateral fat pads. 

Benefits of the Upper Eyelid Lift 

In 2020, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons cited the eyelid lift as the second most popular procedure in the U.S., right after nose reshaping. ⁽³⁾ After this type of upper eyelid rejuvenation, you can expect: 

In addition to these benefits, many of our patients are attracted to the fact that we only utilize local anesthesia for this procedure, allowing them to completely avoid the risks associated with general anesthesia. 

Am I a Candidate? 

Healthy men and women with lax tissue above the eyes can benefit from an upper blepharoplasty, but there are some exceptions. Those with a blood clotting disorder or other unmanaged conditions may not qualify for the procedure. Skin & Vein Center surgeons will closely evaluate your medical history to rule out Graves’ disease, glaucoma, and high blood pressure. Usually, patients with these conditions can’t undergo the surgery since they can directly affect the eyes. Eyelid lifts are most suitable for patients between the ages of 35 to 70, but our surgeons can make exceptions for older and younger patients in good overall health. They will consider candidates who have realistic expectations and are dedicated to adhering to post-surgical aftercare instructions. 

Personal Consultation

During your consultation at Skin & Vein Center, we will speak with you about your particular aesthetic issues and the results you would like to attain from your upper eyelid lift. We will closely evaluate the characteristics of your eyes, ensuring that the procedure is right for you. We may briefly go over your medical history to see if any health concerns need addressing. During this first appointment, we will inform you of what you need to do in order to best prepare for the procedure and what to expect during your recovery. You will have the chance to ask as many questions as you would like concerning the procedure itself and the various changes we recommend. 

We pride ourselves in transparent communication that allows patients to make informed decisions regarding their health and cosmetics. To get started on your journey toward more revitalized, brighter eyes, contact one of our practices: 

To find out more about our other procedures, feel free to look through our blog. 

Preparation

To prepare you for this procedure, we will order blood tests to get a comprehensive view of various aspects of your health. If you smoke or vape regularly, we will advise you to stop at least a few weeks before your scheduled surgery and a few weeks after. Doing so will improve your circulation dramatically and help facilitate an easier and quicker recovery. We will take a look at the current supplements and medications you are taking to see if there are any contraindications. For example, you should stop taking anything that can thin the blood since these can cause unexpected bleeding and bruising. Before your procedure date, you should pick up any necessary prescriptions and stock up on over-the-counter medications that we approve of. Finally, you should plan with a trusted friend or family member to pick you up after surgery since you won’t be able to drive on the day of. 

Procedure Steps 

For this relatively simple procedure, your surgeon will first make precise markings at the upper eyelid crease and across the bottom of the brow ridge. They will then administer local anesthesia around the upper eyelid. They may give you a mild sedative if you wish. After waiting for the anesthesia to settle in, your surgeon will remove the excess skin and take out any upper fat pads, if necessary. All surgical changes will be predetermined at your consultation. In some cases, your surgeon may excise a portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle. ⁽⁴⁾ They will then suture the incision line closed before continuing the procedure on the opposite side.

Recovery and Results 

Upper blepharoplasties only take about an hour, then you will be discharged to go home soon after. Your surgeon will prescribe an ointment to keep the eyelids moisturized and thoroughly protected from infection. For the first day after your procedure, you will need to keep your head elevated to encourage quality blood circulation. Your surgeon will encourage you to use an ice pack to reduce swelling and bruising, but you should be mindful of applying it to the area for only a few minutes at a time. 

For the first few days post-procedure, you will feel some discomfort and soreness, but medication will be able to combat all these symptoms. When you go outside, you should wear sunglasses to protect the incision lines from harmful UV rays. In around 4 to 7 days, you will be able to go back to work, so long as it’s not a physically strenuous job. After the 7-day mark, you will have to return for a follow-up appointment for suture removal. Your surgeon will take a look at how you are healing and provide you with guidance on when it’s safe to resume going back to the gym. If you start working out too early in your recovery, the sweat can irritate your incisions. Typically, upper blepharoplasty patients are cleared to go back to the gym after about 4 weeks. 

Patients love blepharoplasty because results can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years before the effects of aging begin to settle in again. You can consult your surgeon or Dr. Seiger, an expert dermatologist, on anti-aging remedies that can preserve your results for as long as possible. One of the best practices you can adopt is to apply daily sunscreen with antioxidants to protect yourself from sun damage and other environmental factors. 

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

Lower Eyelid Lift 

If you have permanent puffiness under your eyes, you may want to consider a lower eyelid lift in conjunction with an upper eyelid lift or by itself. For this procedure, your surgeon will make an internal incision along the bottom outline of your eye, allowing them to gain access and remove fat deposits underneath. They will also tighten underlying connective tissue structures. 

Cost of an Upper Eyelid Lift in San Diego 

The cost of your upper eyelid surgery will depend on the surgical fees, the cost of anesthesia, whether or not you choose to undergo a lower eyelid lift and other factors. At Skin & Vein Center, we offer our patients CareCredit, the most popular medical lending institution in the nation. To get a better idea of what the total cost may be, booking your consultation is the first step. You can contact us online or call one of the following locations: 

References

1. Oh SR, Chokthaweesak W, Annunziata CC, Priel A, Korn BS, Kikkawa DO. Analysis of Eyelid Fat Pad Changes With Aging. Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 2011;27(5):348-351. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/iop.0b013e3182141c37 
2. Guo F, Song J, Wang L, Xia Y. Upper Eyelid Skin Laxity in Elderly Patients. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2022;89(6):610-614. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/sap.0000000000003289 
3. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Plastic Surgery Statistics Report.; 2020. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2020.pdf 
4. Patel BC, Malhotra R. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537078/