Lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a complex procedure that involves not only the treatment of lower eyelid bags but also loose muscle and skin in the lower eyelids. It is essential to maintain as much support of the lower eyelids as possible when performing surgery. This involves careful consideration of the most appropriate location for the surgical incisions as well as specialized procedures to strengthen the support of the “hammock” that suspends the lower eyelid. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.

Lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) that preserves fat is superior to procedures that strictly remove and sometimes move fat from other areas of the body. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.

There are two different bags that can develop in the lower eyelid/cheek region which people request treatment for. These are (1) lower eyelid bags created by fat that has started to prolapse out against the eyelid and (2) festoons, also known as malar bags, which are pockets of swelling located at the eyelid/cheek interface below the lower eyelid bags. Each requires different surgical approaches to treat. The treatment for one does not treat the other. As always, an in-person consultation with a qualified medical professional is essential prior to considering facial plastic surgery. It is important to determine whether the area of concern is related to lower eyelid bags or festoons/malar bags. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.

Lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can treat heavy bags, loose muscle, and redundant/folded over skin. Each of these features can cause the eyes to look tired and aged. The procedure can be tailored to treat any or all these features, depending on what concerns the patient. For example, some demonstrate changes in their skin only. These individuals may benefit from a minimally invasive lower eyelid skin pinch. This procedure has been available for decades but has recently become popularized on social media, including TikTok. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.

Our experience at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery has been that most people do not present to our clinic specifically requesting a brow lift, let alone requesting to “lift of my entire eyebrow x inches.” Instead, most present feeling like their eyes look less open and are unsure why. They may pinch the skin on their upper eyelids, describing difficulty with applying makeup because it gets “caught under the folds of skin up there.” They often also pull up the side of their brows, explaining how this makes them feel more youthful, that more sunlight reaches their eyes this way. Broadly, these individuals seek an intervention that can open their eyes back up, highlighting their beautiful shape and color. Surgery is usually the best way to achieve this. It is important to consider both the eyebrows and the upper eyelids when developing a surgical plan because, while treatment of the eyebrows or the eyelids may be effective by themselves, treating both areas together is often the most effective and natural appearing. It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.