Upper Blepharoplasty at NewDay Plastic Surgery: A Personalized Approach to Aging Eyelids
As the skin around the eyes gradually loses elasticity, the upper eyelids may begin to droop, wrinkle, or cover the natural eyelid crease. This change can make the eyes appear heavier or more tired. In some cases, excess skin may also narrow the visible field or cause people to lift their eyebrows and forehead when opening their eyes.
Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to address these changes by removing a carefully measured amount of redundant upper-eyelid skin. Depending on the condition of the eyelids, the procedure may also involve adjusting fat tissue or creating or redefining an eyelid crease.
At NewDay Plastic Surgery, the surgical plan is determined after evaluating each patient’s eyelid anatomy, degree of skin laxity, facial proportions, and personal preferences.
More Than Simply Removing Excess Skin
Aging of the upper eyelids does not occur in exactly the same way for everyone. Some patients mainly experience loose skin, while others may have protruding fat, a weakened eyelid crease, brow descent, eyelid-opening difficulty, or asymmetry between the eyes.
For this reason, removing a large amount of skin does not automatically create a more satisfactory result. Excessive removal may produce an overly tight appearance or make it difficult to close the eyes comfortably. Insufficient correction, on the other hand, may leave the eyelids feeling heavy.
Before recommending surgery, we assess factors such as:
- The amount and thickness of redundant skin
- The position of the eyebrows
- The existing eyelid crease
- Fat distribution and hollowing
- Eyelid-opening strength
- Differences between the left and right eyes
- Dry-eye symptoms and previous eye surgery
- The patient’s preferred degree of change
This evaluation helps determine whether upper blepharoplasty is appropriate or whether another option, such as a sub-brow lift or ptosis correction, should be considered.
How Upper Blepharoplasty Is Performed
The incision is generally planned along the natural upper-eyelid crease so that the resulting scar can settle within the fold. After a suitable amount of excess skin is removed, fat or surrounding tissue may be conservatively adjusted when necessary. An eyelid crease may also be created or refined according to the patient’s anatomy and goals.
The objective is not to create the same eyelid shape for every patient. The surgical design should reflect the person’s eye shape, brow position, skin condition, and overall facial balance.
According to NewDay Plastic Surgery’s general treatment information, the procedure is usually completed within approximately one hour. Local anesthesia or sedation may be considered, hospitalization is generally unnecessary, and sutures are commonly removed after about one week. These details may change depending on the individual’s condition and the selected surgical method.
Who May Consider Upper Blepharoplasty?
A consultation may be helpful if you are concerned about:
- Upper-eyelid skin covering the natural crease
- Eyes that appear persistently heavy or tired
- Skin irritation caused by overlapping eyelid folds
- A reduced visual field related to drooping skin
- Frequent lifting of the eyebrows or forehead when opening the eyes
- Noticeable asymmetry caused by uneven skin laxity
- Difficulty applying eye makeup because of excess skin
However, not every heavy-looking eyelid should be treated with upper blepharoplasty. The underlying cause may involve the brows, eyelid-opening muscles, eye surface, or previous surgery. A face-to-face examination is therefore necessary before selecting a procedure.
Recovery and Postoperative Care
Swelling, bruising, tightness, temporary numbness, irritation, or dry-eye symptoms may occur during the early recovery period. These reactions generally improve gradually, but their severity and duration differ from person to person.
Patients should follow their surgeon’s instructions regarding cold compresses, incision care, prescribed medication, physical activity, makeup, contact lenses, and follow-up visits. Strenuous exercise, rubbing the eyes, smoking, and alcohol may need to be avoided temporarily.
Although many patients resume light daily activities after the initial recovery period, residual swelling can remain for several weeks. The eyelid line and scar also require time to soften and settle. Surgery should therefore be planned with sufficient recovery time rather than immediately before an important event.
A Consultation Focused on Your Own Eye Shape
Upper blepharoplasty should begin with a clear understanding of what is causing the eyelids to appear heavy. During consultation at NewDay Plastic Surgery, we examine the eyelids and surrounding facial structures before discussing the available surgical options, anticipated recovery, limitations, and possible risks.
Patients should inform the medical team about existing eye conditions, dry-eye symptoms, thyroid disease, diabetes, hypertension, allergies, smoking, previous procedures, and all medications or supplements they currently take. This information is important when determining surgical suitability and planning perioperative care.
Our goal is to develop an individualized plan that respects the patient’s original features while addressing the concerns associated with aging upper eyelids.
NewDay Plastic Surgery is located on the 11th floor of Seonghan Building, 557 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, near Exit 8 of Nonhyeon Station.
A personal consultation is required to determine whether upper blepharoplasty is appropriate for you.
All surgical procedures carry potential risks. Bleeding, infection, inflammation, prolonged swelling, visible scarring, asymmetry, dry eyes, difficulty closing the eyes, sensory changes, or the need for additional treatment may occur. Results, recovery periods, and possible complications vary among individuals.