Eyelid and Forehead/Brow Surgery

Eyelid Surgery

Sagging, bags, or puffiness of the upper and/or lower eyelids can often be corrected with a relatively simple surgical procedure known as a blepharoplasty.

This surgical technique is performed in-office and involves removing excess skin and fat, or tightening lax muscles to improve the appearance around the eyes.  The upper eyelids are often among the first parts of the face to show age. Patients often report that sagging upper eyelids make them look sad, tired, or angry. Thankfully, upper eyelid blepharoplasty is among the easiest facial cosmetic procedures to undergo, and have very high satisfaction rates. The upper eyelid procedure focuses primarily on removing excess skin that can cause “hooding” over the eyes. 

The lower eyelids are a common source of dissatisfaction with one’s looks. The graceful, rounded, unbroken contours of youth give way to the bags and deep valleys (“dark circles”) that characterize middle age. Related areas, such as the skin of the lower eyelid and the apples of the cheek, often age similarly.

The lower eyelid procedure focuses mainly on removing the fat pockets under the skin that can cause “bags” underneath the eyes. Incisions for blepharoplasty follow the natural contour lines in the  eyelids. How you scar depends on both the skill of the surgeon and your own genetic propensity for scaring. Typically, once healed, these scars are barely visible and blend into the eyelids’ natural lines and folds. Patients are left with a refreshed, revitalized and natural appearance.

Statistically, Blepharoplasty is the most popular surgical cosmetic corrective procedure performed on the face. As successful as this procedure can be, it is important to realize that this type of surgery does have limitations.  Blepharoplasty does not eliminate “crow’s feet”, it does not lift the eyebrow, nor does it alter any genetic skin discoloration that may be under the eye.  Those concerns however can potentially be corrected through Botox® injections, a surgical Browlift, or laser resurfacing treatments.  We offer personalized consultations at no charge and can develop a treatment plan to address your concerns, your budget and your schedule.

A talented surgeon can avoid some of the typical risks or complications such as creating a scar above the fold of the upper eyelid, over pulling the skin, or removing too much of the fat pad which creates a sunken, drawn appearance.  Other risks include decreased sensation in the eyelid area, dryness, burning, stinging, or gritty sensations in the eyes, asymmetrical appearance of the eyes, whiteheads where the sutures were placed, and difficulty closing the eyes.

At Dermacare Cosmetic Surgery, our surgeon, Dr. Gael L. DeRouin, holds a double board certification in Facial Plastic Surgery and Head & Neck Surgery with over 20 years of experience.

     Brow Lift  (Forehead Lift)

Beginning at about age 40, the eyebrows and forehead begin to descend and can give a person an aged, sad, and tired appearance.  If you are bothered by a sagging forehead or frown lines in the brow region, a Brow Lift may be right for you.

Benefits of a Brow Lift:

• Reposition a low or sagging brow that is hooding the upper eyelid.

• Minimize expression lines on the brow such as the vertical creases that develop between the eyebrows, the lines that develop across the forehead or those that occur high on the bridge of the nose.

• Raise the eyebrows to a more alert and youthful position.

At Dermacare Cosmetic Surgery, we offer traditional Full Brow Lift and a  Minimally-Invasive Brow Lift  (Lateral Brow Lift). Typically, the most evident sign of brow aging is descent and hooding of the outer third of the eyebrow.  This exaggerates the wrinkling of the upper eyelid skin.  The lateral brow (outer portion) usually descends more than the medial brow because that portion of the brow has no direct attachments to the forehead muscles or skull.

Minimally-Invasive Brow Lift

For many of our patients, our Minimally-Invasive Brow Lift will address their concerns. This technique is used to lift the lateral portion of the eyebrow (up toward the temples).  The procedure can be performed in-office and no IV sedation is required.  When combined with an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), this technique is effective in preserving or restoring facial harmony.

Full Brow Lift

This surgery is more comprehensive.  It is designed to address the entire forehead: eyebrow position, forehead wrinkles, or those that occur high on the bridge of the nose, and frown lines.  Light IV sedation (twilight sleep) is required for this procedure.  In this procedure, the whole forehead is mobilized.  The muscles that produce the deep vertical wrinkles in the area between the eyebrows, (“the angry 11’s”) are partially removed.  The result is a dramatic improvement in the appearance of the patient and provides a freshened, revitalized look results that appears natural.