Eyelid Rejuvenation

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Boston, MA

An upper eyelid lift, or upper blepharoplasty, is a targeted procedure that restores a more refreshed and rejuvenated look to your upper eyelids. The eyelids are a central feature of the face, but they are also one of the first parts of the body to show signs of visual aging, as the eyelid skin is thinner than elsewhere on the body. (1) Because of this, eyelid lifts have gained significant popularity throughout the country. (2)

Dr. Jeffrey Lee is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with an educational background featuring two Ivy League schools (Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania) and thousands of performed procedures. Under Dr. Lee’s leadership, patients and colleagues recognize JL Plastic Surgery for providing consistent results and offering a wide selection of surgical and non-surgical procedures. He continues to further his knowledge of new and emerging techniques and treatments each year, ensuring he offers patients the most advanced and effective solutions available.

To explore your eyelid rejuvenation options, please schedule a consultation online or call our Newton office at (617) 340-2822.

Before and After Photos

About Upper Eyelid Lifts

An upper eyelid lift is a surgical procedure that restores tighter, more youthful-looking eyelids. It often consists of repositioning/removing fat pads and removing/repositioning sagging skin to create a more alert and open appearance in the eyes. (3) Dr. Lee can perform an upper eyelid lift to address imperfections around the upper eyelids, restoring a more balanced and refreshed look and feel.

Benefits

Upper eyelid lifts offer several benefits, especially with the expertise of a double board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Lee. These benefits include:

  • Rejuvenated Aesthetics: Upper eyelid lifts can eliminate creases, wrinkles, and crow’s feet around the upper eye area, restoring a more youthful look.
  • Smoother Skin: This procedure addresses hanging or drooping skin, restoring a tighter and smoother look to the eyelids.
  • Tailored Treatment Plan: Dr. Lee tailors each surgical plan according to the specific concerns and facial anatomy of his patients.
  • Long-Lasting Results: The results of an upper eyelid lift can last for several years, especially when patients adopt an effective skincare regimen and ensure regular sun protection.
  • Natural-Looking Effects: Dr. Lee ensures the results of each upper eyelid lift harmonize with your features.
  • Boosted Self-Esteem: Many patients feel empowered and satisfied with their appearance after seeing their results.

Candidates

Candidates for an upper eyelid lift are typically those with concerns regarding the areas above the eyes; some patients experience sagging in the upper face that would be best addressed with a brow lift. Anyone interested in this procedure should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding their results.

Ideal patients are nonsmokers or willing to quit using nicotine for a lengthy period of time. Dr. Lee will finalize each patient’s candidacy during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Lee will meet with you personally to ask about your medical history and current prescriptions, as well as your concerns and desired treatment outcomes. He will also perform a physical examination to assess your eyelids.

After determining if you would benefit from an upper eyelid lift, Dr. Lee will outline the most effective surgical techniques and may even recommend additional procedures based on your goals. This consultation serves as a great opportunity to ask questions, as Dr. Lee wants you to leave your appointment feeling confident and well-informed.

To schedule your consultation with Dr. Lee, please contact us online or call our office at (617) 340-2822.

Preparation

After scheduling your upper eyelid lift, Dr. Lee will give you a set of detailed pre-operative instructions to help you prepare. You must follow these closely, as preparation is essential to each procedure.

  • Dr. Lee may advise that you discontinue certain blood-thinning medications or supplements with approval from your primary care doctor.
  • If applicable, you must cease nicotine use in the weeks leading up to your procedure and avoid alcohol in the days before and after.
  • Prepare to take time away from your responsibilities to focus on resting
  • Arrange transportation home from your procedure.
  • If necessary, arrange at-home care from a trusted friend or family member throughout your initial recovery period

In addition to these general guidelines, please follow any others that Dr. Lee provides.

Procedure

Your procedure will begin with the cleansing of your skin before anesthesia administration. Dr. Lee will create an incision along the natural crease of your upper eyelid to minimize post-operative scarring while creating access to your underlying eyelid structures. He may reposition or remove bulging fat and excess skin from around the eyelids before closing each incision.

Recovery

Dr. Lee performs eyelid lifts on an outpatient basis. This means that we will release you home from our facility on the same day as your procedure (after a brief monitoring period). To help guide your recovery, Dr. Lee will provide detailed post-operative instructions. These will include tips for caring for your incisions, managing any side effects, and navigating your activity restrictions.

It is common to experience effects such as swelling, soreness, or bruising during your initial recovery. These effects are temporary and will subside on their own. You will likely be able to return to your routines after approximately two weeks, but you will need to refrain from high-impact activities until Dr. Lee approves.

Results

You can enjoy the full, refined results of your upper eyelid lift after any residual swelling or tenderness subsides. Your eyes may appear brighter or more alert, and you may also experience a wider field of vision if hanging skin had been obstructing it previously.

The results of an upper eyelid lift are long-lasting, especially when patients proactively wear sun protection and use skincare effectively.

Corresponding Procedures

Mini Facelift

Dr. Lee can perform several procedures alongside your upper eyelid lift to complement its results, one of which is a mini facelift. A mini facelift is a variation of the traditional facelift that focuses on addressing more mild to moderate concerns. It uses shorter incisions and offers a shorter recovery period, making it ideal for addressing premature signs of aging. Because the eyelids often show aging first, pairing these two procedures can create effective, comprehensive rejuvenation that may erase the need for future procedures.

Lower Eyelid Lift

When a lower eyelid lift is paired with an upper eyelid lift, this is sometimes referred to as a ‘quad blepharoplasty’. During the lower eyelid lift procedure, Dr. Lee will make an incision either inside the lower lid or just below the lash line. Through this incision, he can address puff fat pads and remove excess skin. Addressing sagging or puffy undereyes can make patients appear even more awake and rejuvenated when performed alongside the upper eyelid lift.

Cost of Upper Eyelid Lifts in Boston and Newton

The cost of your upper eyelid lift can vary depending on the corrections Dr. Lee performs, the extent of the corrections, the type of anesthesia our team uses, whether Dr. Lee includes any additional procedures, and more. During your consultation, Dr. Lee will provide a comprehensive cost estimate and discuss the pricing of your procedure with you. We also offer financing for those interested.

To learn more about the cost of your personalized upper eyelid procedure, please schedule a consultation online or call our Newton office at (617) 340-2822.

FAQ

What concerns can an upper eyelid lift address?

An upper eyelid lift can correct puffiness, weak or loosened eyelid muscles, as well as drooping or sagging eyelid skin.

Will there be any significant scarring after my upper eyelid lift?

Dr. Lee makes an effort to hide each incision within the natural creases of the eyelids to minimize visibility.

How long will the results of my upper eyelid lift last?

If you adopt an effective skincare regimen and proper sun protection, the results of your upper eyelid lift can last for several years.

Can I combine my upper eyelid lift with another cosmetic procedure to enhance its results?

Yes, many patients choose to combine their upper eyelid lift with another cosmetic procedure for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. For more information on combined procedures, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Lee.

Do upper eyelid lifts have any risks?

As with any surgical procedure, upper eyelid lifts do carry certain risks. These may include infection, scarring, bleeding, dissatisfaction with results, and more. Dr. Lee will discuss each risk and how to avoid it during your personal consultation.

References

  1. Cochran ML, Lopez MJ, Czyz CN. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Eyelid. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482304/
  2. ASPS. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner; 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
  3. Patel BC, Malhotra R. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537078/