The eyes are one of the first areas on your face to show signs of aging. Sagging eyelids, under-eye bags, and wrinkles can make you look older or more fatigued than you feel. Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, can rejuvenate your appearance by removing excess skin and fat around the eyes. But should you choose upper or lower blepharoplasty? Dr. Robert Galiano, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago with stellar patient reviews, can collaborate with you to determine the best approach for your unique concerns.
What Upper Blepharoplasty Corrects
Upper blepharoplasty is designed to lift and tighten the skin of your upper eyelids. This procedure is best if you experience:
- Drooping eyelid skin that makes your eyes look tired or aged
- Hooded eyelids that obscure your natural crease
- Difficulty applying makeup due to excess skin
- Obstructed vision caused by sagging eyelids
As your skin loses elasticity over time, your upper eyelids may develop a heavy or droopy appearance. You may even experience functional concerns, where excess skin interferes with your peripheral vision. By removing this skin and repositioning fat, upper blepharoplasty restores a more youthful, alert look.
What Lower Blepharoplasty Corrects
Lower blepharoplasty targets puffiness, sagging, and dark circles under your eyes. You may benefit if you struggle with:
- Persistent under-eye bags that do not improve with sleep or skincare
- Wrinkles or excess skin below your eyes
- Hollowness or sunken areas that create a tired look
- Shadows and dark circles caused by displaced fat
This procedure smooths and tightens the area beneath your eyes by removing or repositioning fat, trimming excess skin, and sometimes tightening the underlying muscles. In some cases, fat grafting is used to fill in hollowness and restore volume for a youthful result.
Should You Have Both Procedures Done at Once?
For some patients, aging affects both the upper and lower eyelids, making a combination of both procedures the most effective option. Having both surgeries performed at the same time allows for a balanced, natural-looking rejuvenation and avoids the need for multiple recovery periods.
When deciding between upper and lower blepharoplasty, consider your primary concerns. If sagging skin and a heavy eyelid appearance are your main issues, upper blepharoplasty is likely the best choice. If under-eye bags, hollowness, or wrinkles are your biggest concern, lower blepharoplasty may be the right solution.
Schedule a Consultation with a Top Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Galiano completed his residency at New York University Medicine Center, one of the most prestigious plastic surgery residency programs in the world. To discuss your goals and determine which approach will provide the best results, with a top surgeon specializing in facial procedures, call Dr. Galiano’s office at (312) 926-4382.
