Lower Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelid Lift)

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lake Forest, Glenview and Grayslake, IL

Lower Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelid Lift) Northwestern Medicine Dr. Liza M. Cohen Dr. Karthik Shastri

A lower eyelid lift, also known as lower blepharoplasty, is a procedure that aims to brighten the eyes by reducing puffy or sagging under-eye bags, which can make you look tired or older than you are. At Northwestern Medicine, our surgeons have decades of experience helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals. Dr. Liza M. Cohen is board-certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and is an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) fellowship-trained ophthalmic plastic surgeon. Dr. Karthik Shastri is a board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon who specializes in facial procedures. Both Dr. Cohen and Dr. Shastri are experienced with lower blepharoplasty procedures and can rejuvenate your eyelids for a brighter, more youthful appearance.

Contact one of our Chicago offices to schedule an appointment in Lake Forest, Glenview, or Grayslake and learn more about how lower blepharoplasty can transform your appearance.

About Lower Blepharoplasty

Your eyes are one of your most central facial features, and improving the areas surrounding them can help you achieve a brighter, more refreshed look. Droopy skin and wrinkles around the eyes are among the first signs of facial aging, as the skin in these areas is especially thin. (1) Sagging, wrinkly skin can gather beneath the eyes, and fat pads can descend and cause a puffy look. With lower blepharoplasty, your surgeon can remove excess skin and/or address bulging fat below the eyes to diminish the appearance of under-eye bags.

There are different variations of the blepharoplasty procedure designed to help patients address different concerns. The procedure remains a popular avenue of facial rejuvenation; In 2023, specialists performed the procedure more than 120,700 times. (2)

Quad Blepharoplasty

Your surgeon can address both the upper and lower eyelids with a quad blepharoplasty during a single procedure to enhance your appearance. They can reposition and/or remove the fat from the lower lids to improve the appearance of under-eye bags and remove excess droopy skin above the eyes to improve your field of vision and reshape the upper lids.

Canthoplasty

A canthoplasty strengthens or repositions the outer corner of the eye, also known as the canthus, to support the eyelid and enhance aesthetic outcomes, especially in cases of eyelid laxity. Dr. Cohen can perform canthoplasty for patients who have this concern.

Benefits

There are several benefits to a blepharoplasty, including the following:

  • Smoother skin: We can tighten the skin to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines that affect your appearance.
  • Brighter eyes: You can enjoy a refreshed, alert, and more youthful-looking appearance.
  • Personalized treatment plan: Depending on your goals, we can address the lower eyelids alone or in conjunction with the upper eyelids during your treatment.
  • Lasting results: If you take good care of your skin, you can enjoy results that last for several years.
  • Improved confidence: Many patients find that they feel better about their appearance after the procedure.

Candidates & Consultation

The best candidates for blepharoplasty would like to address droopy eyelids, puffy under-eye bags, and wrinkles affecting their appearance. If you have realistic expectations and are in good overall health, you are likely a good candidate for the procedure.

During your consultation, we will examine your eyelids to determine the most effective treatment plan. We will also ask about your medical history, lifestyle, and medications. If you need additional procedures to achieve your goals, we can customize your treatment plan to include them.

To learn more, browse our services!

Preparation

To prepare for a blepharoplasty, you will need to stop taking blood thinning medications and supplements for 1-2 weeks. Patients will need to schedule time off work and prepare their homes for a more comfortable recovery. You will need to arrange for someone you trust to drive you home. On the day of your procedure, you should arrive with a clean face, free of makeup or skincare products.

Procedure

You should arrive in comfortable clothing on the day of your procedure. Our team will cleanse your skin, and you will receive anesthesia for your comfort. During a lower blepharoplasty, your surgeon will remove excess fat and skin with an incision either inside the lower eyelid or just below the lash line to rejuvenate the skin for a brighter, more rested appearance.

Recovery

Afterward, you will experience swelling, bruising, and irritation while your skin heals. You should take your medications as prescribed and use cold compresses if you experience any discomfort. We also recommend keeping your head elevated above your knees and limiting strenuous exercise while your eyelids heal.

We will let you know when to schedule a follow-up appointment so we can monitor your healing progress. Keep your skin clean during recovery and avoid sun exposure, which can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. For lower blepharoplasty, patients generally require a week or two off work, and 4-6 weeks before returning to more intensive activities. This timeline depends on the physical requirements of the patient’s job.

Results

Lower Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelid Lift) Northwestern Medicine Dr. Liza M. Cohen Dr. Karthik Shastri

Many patients notice that they have more youthful-looking eyes and that they look well-rested instead of tired. If you take good care of your skin and protect it from sun exposure, you can enjoy lasting results.

UV light contributes to up to 80% of skin aging; avoiding excessive sun exposure that could result in premature aging (photoaging) is important for maintaining smooth skin. (3,4) If you take good care of your skin, results can last for years.

Corresponding Procedures

Brow Lift

A brow lift addresses droopy skin and wrinkles above the brows for a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. As you age and the collagen in your skin declines, wrinkles, and droopy skin can develop above the brows. We can remove the excess tissue to diminish signs of aging for a smoother appearance. This procedure is often combined with blepharoplasty procedures as the two surgeries can work together to provide the upper face with a powerful lift.

Facelift

A facelift can tighten the skin and remove excess tissue if you have droopy skin, jowls, or wrinkles in the midface. We can tighten the skin with hidden incisions for a firmer, smoother appearance. With specialized techniques, we can minimize downtime so you can return to your normal activities more quickly. A mini facelift can also address milder degrees of loose skin. A facelift can be paired with blepharoplasty procedures to provide more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Cost of Lower Eyelid Lift in Chicago, IL

The cost of your lower blepharoplasty will depend on your unique situation. If you are planning to receive additional procedures, we can include them in your personalized treatment plan and provide an all-inclusive quote.

Contact one of our Chicago offices to schedule an appointment in Lake Forest, Glenview, or Grayslake.

FAQ

Will I have scarring after a lower blepharoplasty?

Your surgeon will make discreet incisions for natural-looking results. The incisions for lower blepharoplasty can be made either just below the lower lash line or inside the eyelid. The incisions for your procedure will depend on what issues your surgeon is addressing. They can answer any questions you have about the incisions your specific treatment plan requires during your consultation.

Will I need more than one lower blepharoplasty procedure?

No, you can achieve results after just one procedure. However, if multiple procedures are a part of your treatment plan, your appointments might be best suited in separate stages. Your surgeon will be fully transparent about your treatment plan so that you feel prepared and comfortable going into your procedure.

How long will the results of a lower blepharoplasty last?

If you take good care of your skin and avoid excessive sun exposure, you can enjoy the results for several years. It is important to keep in mind that the skin around the eyes will continue to age and be affected by gravity, so results will likely fade over time.

How do I know which type of blepharoplasty is right for me?

During your personal consultation, we will help you determine whether an upper, lower, or quad blepharoplasty will be most effective for your needs.

Can you combine blepharoplasty with other procedures?

Yes, we can discuss your aesthetic goals during your consultation and create a personalized plan to help you achieve them. Many patients choose to combine their lower blepharoplasty with an upper blepharoplasty, brow lift, or facelift for more complete facial rejuvenation.

References

  1. Miotti G, Zeppieri M, Pederzani G, Salati C, Parodi PC. Modern blepharoplasty: From bench to bedside. World Journal of Clinical Cases. 2023;11(8):1719-1729. doi:https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v11.i8.1719
  2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
  3. Manríquez JJ, Cataldo K, Vera-Kellet C, Harz-Fresno I. Wrinkles. BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2014;2014. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4278179/
  4. D’Orazio J, Jarrett S, Amaro-Ortiz A, Scott T. UV radiation and the skin. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2013;14(6):12222-12248. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms140612222