A brow lift is a surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the upper third of a patient’s face, while a blepharoplasty, also known as an eyelid lift, uses surgical techniques to revitalize the upper or lower eyelids. (1, 2) When it comes to rejuvenating the upper portion of the face, many patients find themselves deciding between these two popular procedures. Both treatments are designed to restore a youthful appearance and elevate your confidence, but they achieve these goals in different ways. Some patients opt to combine these treatments to achieve comprehensive results.
Dr. Amber Allen is a boarded general surgeon and a certified cosmetic surgeon recognized by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Led by Dr. Allen, Allen Aesthetic Surgery has become one of North Carolina’s leading destinations for a variety of cosmetic treatments. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Allen has established herself as a leader in her field by consistently providing stunning results through safe, attentive, and effective care.
If you are interested in exploring your facial rejuvenation options, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Allen by contacting us online or calling (919) 676-5052.
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About Brow Lifts and Blepharoplasty
A brow lift focuses on raising the position of the eyebrows and smoothing the forehead. This technique addresses the heaviness or hooding that can occur when the brow begins to descend with age and muscle weakening. In contrast, an eyelid lift, also known as blepharoplasty, targets the upper or lower eyelids by removing or repositioning sagging skin and fat.
Types of Brow Lifts
There are several different types of brow lift techniques. Dr. Allen will review these during your consultation and recommend one based on your goals. Some of the brow lift techniques commonly used include:
- Traditional Brow Lift: This technique typically involves incisions made along the hairline. A traditional brow lift is ideal for patients with significant forehead laxity.
- Endoscopic Brow Lift: Endoscopic brow lifts involve shorter incisions and are often considered a less invasive technique, resulting in reduced scarring and recovery times.
Types of Eyelid Lifts
- Upper Eyelid Lifts: An upper eyelid lift focuses on removing excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids.
- Lower Eyelid Lifts: Lower eyelid lifts target bags under the eyes by removing or repositioning sagging fat. The skin is typically addressed with a laser or chemical peel.
Dr. Allen can perform these procedures separately, or she can combine them for more comprehensive results.
Benefits of Facial Rejuvenation
Both brow lifts and eyelid lifts possess their own unique set of benefits, but these two highly sought-after treatments also provide patients with many of the same advantages. Some of the commonly reported benefits of eyelid and brow lifts include:
- Youthful-Looking Appearance: Both procedures restore a fresher and more youthful appearance by correcting age-related changes in the upper face.
- Increased Confidence: Many patients report higher self-esteem and confidence after undergoing either procedure.
- Natural-Looking Results: Modern surgical techniques ensure natural outcomes by careful manipulation of the surrounding tissues.
- Long-Lasting Effects: Both procedures provide long-term satisfaction and rejuvenation results.
- Minimized Wrinkles and Lines: Brow lifts smooth out forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet near the eyes.
- Customized Approach: Each surgery is tailored to meet individual patient needs based on facial anatomy.
If you would like to explore which procedure would benefit you more, please contact Allen Aesthetic Surgery online or call (919) 676-5052.
Ideal Candidates
These two transformative procedures can appeal to a wide range of potential candidates. Ideal candidates for either treatment tend to include those with:
- Sagging brows or heavy eyelids
- Wrinkles or fine lines in the forehead area
- Puffiness or bags beneath the eyes
- A desire for improved facial aesthetics
Ultimately, whether or not you are an ideal candidate for either an eyelid lift, brow lift, or combination of these two will be determined during your consultation at Allen Aesthetic Surgery.
Personal Consultation
Your facial rejuvenation journey begins with a one-on-one consultation. Dr. Allen will review your medical history, examine the structure of your upper face, and listen closely to your goals. This collaborative session will allow Dr. Allen to create a personalized treatment plan that is tailored precisely to your needs, whether it involves lifting the brow, refreshing the eyelids, or combining both techniques for optimal results. Dr. Allen’s compassionate approach and artistic eye allow patients to feel comfortable and confident about their decision to undergo these treatments.
To get started on your rejuvenation journey, contact Allen Aesthetic Surgery online or call (919) 676-5052.
Preparation
Because both brow lift and eyelid lift procedures involve surgery, proper preparation for both is essential. However, the preparation process is similar for both. Before your treatment, Dr. Allen and her staff will provide detailed instructions to optimize your treatment, results, and recovery. You will likely be asked to avoid medications and supplements with blood-thinning properties, refrain from using nicotine for several weeks in advance, and make arrangements for transportation and post-operative care. By following all guidelines closely, you will help ensure a smooth eyelid lift and/or brow lift experience.
Procedure
Both the brow lift and eyelid lift procedures are performed in an outpatient setting with anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Brow lifts involve incisions placed behind the hairline or at the temples, depending on the technique used. Dr. Allen then repositions and secures the tissues to restore a youthful brow.
For eyelid lifts, Dr. Allen uses the natural folds of the eyelids to conceal the incisions. She will carefully remove or reposition skin and fat as needed to achieve a brighter and more defined eye area. Most eyelid procedures take 30-45 minutes per eye, while brow lifts may take slightly longer. The execution of each procedure will vary depending on the techniques used and the goals of each patient, but Dr. Allen and her team will be happy to answer any questions you have about either procedure.
Recovery
Recovery time will depend on the extent of your procedure, but for both eyelid and brow lifts, most patients return to non-strenuous activities within one week. Mild swelling and bruising are common but often resolve quickly with proper care. You will likely be advised to keep your head elevated and avoid vigorous movement during the initial phase, which will help reduce inflammation and promote healing. Dr. Allen and her team will guide you through every step of the recovery process and monitor your progress during follow-up visits.
Results
Your results will become increasingly visible as swelling fades over the first few weeks. Whether you opted for a brow lift, eyelid lift, or both, you will notice a smoother, brighter, more youthful appearance. These procedures produce long-lasting results, especially when paired with sun protection and a healthy lifestyle. When performed by a trained expert such as Dr. Allen, brow lifts and eyelid lifts are associated with high patient satisfaction rates (3, 4)
Corresponding Procedures
To achieve comprehensive rejuvenation, many patients not only opt to combine brow lifts and eyelid lifts with one another but also with additional procedures. Some of the most commonly combined treatments include facelifts, neck lifts, and cheek augmentation.
Allen Aesthetic Surgery specializes in numerous procedures, not just facial rejuvenation. Dr. Allen offers various body contouring treatments, and she is renowned for her expertise in breast enhancement procedures.
Cost of Brow Lifts and Blepharoplasty in Raleigh
The cost of your brow lift or eyelid lift will depend on a wide range of potential factors, including the technique used and whether or not any additional treatments are performed. Dr. Allen and her staff will be happy to provide you with an overall estimate of the cost of your treatment during your personal consultation once the details of your plan have been established. For those looking to save on the cost of their treatments, Allen Aesthetic Surgery often runs specials that are worth exploring.
Schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Allen by contacting us online or calling (919) 676-5052 to begin your rejuvenation journey.
FAQ
Can a brow lift and eyelid lift be performed together?
Dr. Allen can perform both procedures during a single session to maximize results and minimize overall recovery time.
Will the results of a brow lift or blepharoplasty look natural?
Yes. Dr. Allen is known for achieving elegant, balanced results that enhance your natural beauty rather than drastically altering your features.
Is there any visible scarring left by a brow lift or blepharoplasty?
Scars are typically well-hidden in natural eyelid creases or hairlines and tend to fade significantly over time.
How long do the results of brow lifts and blepharoplasty last?
With proper skin care and sun protection, results can last many years. Some patients opt for minor touch-ups in the future.
References
- Raggio BS, Winters R. Endoscopic Brow Lift. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545220/
- Rebowe RE, Runyan C. Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482381/
- Tseng CC, Patel R, Desai AD, Shah VP, Talmor G, Paskhover B. Assessing Patient Satisfaction Following Blepharoplasty Using Social Media Reviews. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2021;42(3):NP179-NP185. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjab345
- Panella NJ, Wallin JL, Goldman ND. Patient outcomes, satisfaction, and improvement in headaches after endoscopic brow-lift. JAMA facial plastic surgery. 2013;15(4):263-267. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jamafacial.2013.924



