Upper Blepharoplasty or Sub-Brow Lift? Which Procedure Is Suitable for Middle-Aged Eye Plastic Surgery?

When consulting about drooping eyelids, you will often hear the terms upper blepharoplasty or sub-brow lift.

As we age, the upper eyelid may appear to be simply sagging on the surface. In reality, however, drooping of the eyelid skin is often accompanied by drooping eyebrows.

In such cases, it may be difficult to effectively improve the drooping with only one of either upper blepharoplasty or a sub-brow lift. As a result, more people are considering undergoing both procedures together.

Upper blepharoplasty is a procedure that removes excess, sagging skin from the upper eyelids while creating a new double-eyelid crease. It is suitable for those who want to correct asymmetry or improve the shape of their double-eyelid crease.

For people with sleepy-looking eyes, eyelid correction can also be performed at the same time, making it suitable for those who want a more defined appearance around the eyes.

However, upper blepharoplasty may be somewhat limited in improving sagging skin on the outer part of the eye area.

A sub-brow lift is a procedure that involves an incision below the eyebrow and removal of excess skin. It is effective in correcting sagging that begins above the eyelid, particularly sagging skin on the outer side.

When the skin on the outer side of the eye droops, the eyes can appear smaller and more closed in, making the face look older. A sub-brow lift can therefore be expected to provide a natural improvement in these areas.

The incision is also positioned below the eyebrow, so the scar is less noticeable after recovery, making this a procedure with a high level of satisfaction.

In middle-aged eye plastic surgery, the important point is not simply to remove a large amount of sagging skin.

Through an accurate diagnosis by a board-certified plastic surgeon, it is important to determine whether the cause of the drooping eyelids is simply loose upper-eyelid skin and, if excess skin is present, which area around the eyes is most affected—in other words, whether it is concentrated on the inner, central, or outer side.

It is also important to establish a flexible surgical plan depending on whether conditions such as sleepy-looking eyes are present, so that a more natural and definite improvement can be expected.

This is because, when only upper blepharoplasty is performed, drooping on the outer side of the eye may not be sufficiently improved, while a sub-brow lift alone may not adequately correct drooping on the front part of the eyelid or a concealed double-eyelid crease.

Therefore, upper blepharoplasty and a sub-brow lift each have different strengths and can be considered complementary procedures. For this reason, they are increasingly being considered together these days.

Therefore, it is important to determine the surgical method by comprehensively considering the individual’s eyelid condition, the degree and location of sagging, the shape of the existing double-eyelid crease, eyelid-opening strength, sleepy-looking eyes, ptosis, and other factors.

윙크성형외과 specializes in eye plastic surgery. Based on years of accumulated experience in eye surgery, the clinic strives not merely to remove sagging skin, but to accurately analyze the cause for each individual and establish a natural and precise surgical plan suited to that person.

If your eyes look heavy and tired due to age-related drooping eyelids, consult with a specialist to find out which method—upper blepharoplasty or a sub-brow lift—is suitable for you.

윙크성형외과 complies with the Medical Service Act.

After plastic surgery, the degree of outcomes may vary from person to person, and side effects such as bleeding, inflammation, or infection may occur. It is important to make sure that you check the information about possible side effects and the surgery. All photographs are images taken with the patient’s prior consent.