Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty for Brighter, More Youthful Eyes
Discover Which Type of Blepharoplasty Will Best Refresh and Rejuvenate Your Eyes
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift surgery, brightens and opens the eyes by addressing excess skin and carefully managing fat. Rather than focusing on removal alone, modern techniques emphasize preservation and repositioning to maintain natural contour.
Because the eyes define expression, the goal is to restore clarity and balance without altering character. Large studies report more than 90 percent patient satisfaction, supporting results that appear natural and age gracefully over time.
What Blepharoplasty Can Improve
Blepharoplasty can refresh the eye area by addressing these common signs of aging and fatigue.
- Drooping or hooded upper eyelid skin that hides your crease or weighs down your eyes
- Puffy lower eyelid bags and shadows from shifting fat pads
- Fine lines and crepey skin around the eyes
- Impaired vision caused by heavy upper lids (in select cases)
By targeting these changes, surgery restores a brighter, smoother look that feels youthful yet natural.
Treatment Options
There are several ways to tailor blepharoplasty, depending on whether your concerns involve the upper lids, lower lids, or both.
- Upper Blepharoplasty – Removes excess skin and subtly reshapes soft tissue to create a smooth fold and more open eyes. Dr. Balikian uses muscle-sparing techniques to preserve blink function and avoid hollowing.
- Lower Blepharoplasty – Often performed through a hidden incision on the inside of the eyelid (transconjunctival) with fat repositioning to smooth hollows and reduce bags without creating a sunken look.
- Combined Upper and Lower Surgery – For patients with both heavy upper lids and lower eye bags, a combined approach creates a more rested, balanced appearance in one surgery and recovery period.
Each option is customized by Dr. Balikian to refresh your eyes while preserving their natural shape and long-term comfort.
What the Research Shows
Blepharoplasty is one of the most studied procedures in facial plastic surgery, with modern research confirming its safety, effectiveness, and long-lasting patient satisfaction.
- Satisfaction rates typically exceed 90%
- Upper blepharoplasty can improve visual field and quality of life
- Modern fat-preserving techniques reduce hollowing and dryness risk
- Serious complications are uncommon when surgery is planned carefully
These findings show that when blepharoplasty is carefully planned and performed with advanced, preservation-focused techniques, most patients achieve natural, comfortable, and enduring results with a very low risk of serious complications.
Blepharoplasty Results Before and After
Dr. Balikian’s Blepharoplasty Approach
Dr. Balikian views the eyes as part of the entire face, designing each procedure for balance and natural harmony. Rather than focusing on a single area, his approach considers how the eyelids relate to the brow, midface, and overall facial structure.
In this video, Dr. Balikian explains how his anatomy-based approach guides every aspect of blepharoplasty, from planning to execution. By focusing on structure, preservation, and balance, the goal is to achieve results that look refreshed while maintaining the natural character of the face.
This approach prioritizes precision and restraint. By tailoring each procedure to the individual and preserving key structures, the outcome is a more natural, balanced appearance that avoids the hollow or overcorrected look often associated with older techniques.
During upper eyelid surgery, he:
- Places the incision within the natural lid crease and extends it slightly into crow’s feet only when needed to keep scars discreet
- Leaves the eyelid muscle intact to protect comfortable blinking and long-term eye health
- Preserves most fat, removing only small bulges, to maintain a soft, youthful contour
For the lower lids, he:
- Works from inside the eyelid whenever possible to avoid visible scars
- Smooths the lid-cheek transition by gently re-draping fat and may add micro-fat transfer for subtle fullness
- Chooses laser resurfacing or chemical peels instead of aggressive skin removal when skin is thin or crepey, helping keep eyelid support strong and reducing the risk of lid pulling
This thoughtful, preservation-focused approach helps create eyes that look brighter, natural and comfortable for years to come.
Safety and Comfort
Dr. Balikian plans each procedure to protect eyelid function, tear health and natural expression.
Avoiding over-resection, sparing the muscle and adding skin treatments only when safe help reduce irritation and support smooth healing
Recovery Timeline
Recovery after blepharoplasty is typically smooth and predictable, with most patients returning to daily life and feeling confident about their appearance within two weeks.
- Days 1–3: Swelling and bruising peak, then begin to settle. Keep your head elevated and use cool compresses.
- Days 4–7: Light activity resumes. Stitches are typically removed after one week if present.
- Weeks 2–3: Bruising fades and eyes look brighter. Makeup can camouflage residual color.
- Weeks 4–6: Most swelling resolves. Final contours continue refining for several months.
Most patients feel comfortable returning to social activities within 10–14 days.
Results You Can Expect
Blepharoplasty delivers natural, rejuvenating changes that help your eyes look brighter and more rested.
- Brighter, more open-looking eyes
- Smooth, youthful lower lids without hollowing
- Long-lasting improvement that refreshes your entire face without changing who you are
The result is a long-lasting refresh that enhances your entire face while keeping your unique expression intact.
Customizing Your Plan
Sometimes blepharoplasty alone is the right choice. Other times, combining eyelid surgery with a brow lift, skin resurfacing, midface rejuvenation, or Dr. Balikian’s signature Artiste Lift™ can create the most balanced and youthful result.
Dr. Balikian will recommend the safest and most effective combination for your goals so your outcome looks refreshed, natural and harmonious with the rest of your face.
Ready to Refresh Your Eyes?
Blepharoplasty FAQs
Is blepharoplasty permanent?
Results are long lasting, although natural aging continues. Many patients enjoy their refreshed look for 10 years or more before any subtle changes appear.
Will I still look like myself after surgery?
Yes. Dr. Balikian’s focus is on subtle, natural results. He avoids aggressive tissue removal so your eyes look rested but not “different.”
Can blepharoplasty improve my vision?
Yes, in select cases. If sagging upper-lid skin blocks the visual field, removing that skin can restore peripheral vision and reduce heaviness.
Is the procedure safe?
Blepharoplasty is considered very safe when performed by a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Modern studies show serious complications are uncommon, and most concerns, like mild swelling or temporary dryness, resolve with proper care.
How long do the results last?
The Artiste Lift is designed to provide long-lasting results, typically 10-15 years. While you’ll continue to age naturally, you’ll always look younger than if you hadn’t had the procedure.
Is the procedure painful?
Thanks to our narcotic-free approach and advanced techniques, most patients report minimal discomfort. Many are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the recovery process is.
How long does recovery take?
Most patients return to desk work and social activities in 10–14 days. Swelling and bruising peak in the first few days, then fade steadily over the first month.
Will there be visible scars?
Upper-lid incisions hide in the natural crease. Lower lids are often treated from inside the eyelid or placed just under the lashes, where they fade very well.
What about dry eyes after surgery?
Some temporary dryness or irritation can happen, especially if both upper and lower lids are treated. Dr. Balikian uses muscle-sparing techniques to reduce this risk.
Can blepharoplasty be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Many patients combine eyelid surgery with a brow lift, facelift, or skin resurfacing for a more complete rejuvenation.
How does fat repositioning improve results?
Instead of removing too much fat, Dr. Balikian repositions or smooths it to fill hollows and avoid a sunken look, helping maintain natural lid–cheek contours.
Does blepharoplasty help with under-eye dark circles?
If dark circles are caused by fat bulges or hollows, lower blepharoplasty can smooth and reduce shadows. Pigmentation from skin color changes may require additional treatments like laser or peels.
Can eyelid surgery fix hooded eyes?
Yes. Upper blepharoplasty removes and reshapes excess skin so the natural eyelid crease is visible and the eyes look more open.
Will I have blurry vision after surgery?
Some mild blurriness from swelling or ointment is common in the first few days. Your vision should return to normal as healing progresses.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richard Balikian is a highly respected facial plastic surgeon serving the San Diego area.
With over 20 years of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Balikian offers a unique combination of technical expertise and artistic vision.
He is part of an elite group of surgeons with extensive training focused exclusively on the face and neck.
Learn More About Eye Rejuvenation
Scientific References
Read the Science
- Hollander MHJ, et al. Aesthetic outcomes of upper eyelid blepharoplasty: systematic review. Aesthetic Surg J. 2020.
- Luong KP, et al. Factors associated with treatment outcome satisfaction after upper blepharoplasty (FACE-Q analysis). Aesthetic Surg J. 2023.
- Ahn SH, et al. Effects of upper lid blepharoplasty on visual quality in patients with dermatochalasis. Clin Ophthalmol. 2016.
- Vasović DD, et al. Comprehensive evaluation of quality of life following upper eyelid blepharoplasty: systematic review. J Clin Med. 2024.
- Kim KK, et al. Guideline on eyelid surgery for upper visual field impairment (ptosis and dermatochalasis). Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022.
- Rodrigues C, et al. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty: surgical techniques and outcomes — systematic review. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2023.
- Miotto GC, et al. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty with volume preservation: contemporary concepts. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2023.
- Goldberg RA. Fat repositioning in lower blepharoplasty to maintain eyelid–cheek continuity. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 1999.
- Lelli GJ Jr, et al. Blepharoplasty complications: prevention and management. Clin Plast Surg. 2010.
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
