Lower Eyelid Lift

A lower eyelid lift or blepharoplasty is a procedure that focuses on rejuvenating the appearance of the lower eyelids. This cosmetic procedure effectively reduces under-eye bags and sagging skin, leading to a more youthful and refreshed look. If you feel as though your eyelids are making you appear aged, tired, or if you are dissatisfied with how they look, then a lower eyelid lift may help you rejuvenate your appearance.

Dr. Alyson Wells and the team of providers at Valley Plastic Surgery & Medi-Spa are some of Baltimore’s leading experts in rejuvenation procedures, both surgical and non-surgical.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Wells today to take the first step toward a younger, more vibrant appearance with a personalized lower eyelid lift.

If you have any questions about our practice, what procedures we offer, or anything else, do not hesitate to call our Cockeysville office at (410) 628-8200 and speak with one of our expert professionals.

About Lower Eyelid Lifts

As we age, the skin around our eyes can develop wrinkles, lose skin elasticity, and more. These issues are typically caused by the natural processes of aging, but they can also emerge due to genetics, lifestyle, environmental factors, and other causes. Whatever the source, these undesirable traits can cause an individual to look tired, angry, sad, and more.

The lower eyelid lift is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that enhances the under eye appearance through precise, targeted medical techniques. This area can be particularly sensitive to aging, where skin elasticity diminishes, and fat pads droop beneath the eyes.

Lower eyelid lifts typically involve repositioning or removing excess fat and other tissues to tighten redundant skin. Dr. Wells carries out these techniques through precisely placed incisions.

Benefits

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty offers many different benefits. Dr. Wells’s patients typically experience:

Candidates

Anyone who has a significant degree of sagging facial skin and under-eye bags can benefit from a lower eyelid lift. Typically, lower eyelid blepharoplasty patients are at least in their late 40s or early 50s. Younger patients can receive these treatments as well, but they can still experience the effects of aging in their later years, so it is often recommended that younger patients delay their procedure until the effects of aging are more noticeable.

The patients who respond best to their treatment are those who do not smoke or are willing to stop smoking for a time, are in good overall health, have realistic expectations for their results, and are willing to collaborate with Dr. Wells to plan their ideal procedure and listen carefully to her preparation and recovery instructions.

Personal Consultation

Meeting with Dr. Wells is the first step in your eyelid rejuvenation. At this appointment, you will discuss your motivations behind seeking a lower eyelid lift and your goals for the procedure. Dr. Wells will examine your eyelids and investigate your skin elasticity and your facial fat tissue. With this information collected, Dr. Wells and her team will create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your goals and ensures optimal results.

We will also review your medical history at this appointment. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty requires anesthesia and medication adjustments so we want to screen for any current medications, supplements, past procedures, or existing conditions that could cause complications.

Preparation

Each patient will receive personalized preparation instructions for their unique procedure. However, you can expect to:

Procedure

A lower eyelid lift typically lasts 2-3 hours depending on the patient’s goals and features. A lower eyelid blepharoplasty will typically incorporate one of two procedures in its execution, but Dr. Wells may also combine these methods to produce optimal results.

Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty

Transconjunctival blepharoplasty focuses on addressing the tissue below the eye, known medically as the conjunctiva. In this procedure, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location to minimize visible scarring. Once created, Dr. Wells will carefully dissect the excess tissue. ⁽¹⁾ Once dissected, the fat around the conjunctiva will either be repositioned or removed. Dr. Wells and her team will carefully make the corrections you discussed during your consultation. Once made, your incisions will be closed and you will heal without external scars.

Subcutaneous Blepharoplasty

Subcutaneous blepharoplasty addresses the skin as well as the underlying tissue beneath and around the eyelids. In this procedure, an incision is made just below the eyelashes. By removing excess skin and fat, the skin around the eyes becomes more smoothly draped. ⁽²⁾ Once the necessary adjustments are made and tissue is removed, the incisions are carefully sutured shut.

Recovery

It is important to arrange assistance and transportation home after your procedure. Patients should rest with their heads upright for the first day after the procedure. ⁽³⁾ This does not mean you have to sit straight up, but you can relax and support your head and neck with pillows. Typically, sutures are removed after one week. You can expect some swelling and soreness during this time, but this can be mitigated with anti-inflammatory medications and cold compresses.

Strenuous activities and exercise should be avoided for at least 2 weeks. If you receive prescriptions for pain medications and/or antibiotics, we recommend that you take these as instructed.

Results

Once your lower eyelids have healed, you will immediately notice your results. Your face will no longer be plagued by eye bags, puffiness, wrinkles, crow’s feet, and more, and instead, you will have a reignited youthful glow, tight skin, large, welcoming eyes, and a colorful complexion. With this new rejuvenated appearance, you will also feel your confidence and self-esteem grow drastically.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

As you can imagine, one of the best ways to enhance the results of your lower eyelid lift is by also receiving an upper eyelid lift. An upper eyelid lift, also known as upper eyelid blepharoplasty, is nearly identical to a lower eyelid lift in its methods. Drooping eyelids are tightened to create smooth, wrinkle-free skin. Additionally, fat pads and overhanging eyebrows are removed to correct a patient’s field of vision, eliminate a disgruntled appearance, and rejuvenate the face from the eyes and up. This can also be achieved with a brow lift. Many patients will also receive a facelift (rhytidectomy) during their eyelid rejuvenation procedures. By tightening the skin and removing excess tissue on all parts of the face, patients are left with complete and total rejuvenation and a refreshed, young face that they can enjoy for years to come.

Cost of Lower Eyelid Lifts in Baltimore

Each patient’s lower eyelid lift can have a different total cost. Pricing depends on the scale of your procedure, your goals, any other procedures incorporated into treatment, and other factors.

When you meet with Dr. Wells for your initial consultation, you will receive a price quote. We also offer various financing options for our patients.

If you have any questions about payments, pricing, procedures, or more, then please call our Cockeysville office at (410) 628-8200 to get the information you need!

FAQ

References

1. Raggio BS, Winters R. Lower Lid Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty. Nih.gov. Published December 29, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545179/
2. Rebowe RE, Runyan C. Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482381/
3. Labib A, Patel BC, Milroy C. Blepharoplasty, Lower Lid, Canthal Support. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576422/