Lower Eyelid Lift
Offered at our convenient location in Raleigh, NC
A lower eyelid lift, also known as a lower blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate puffy under-eye bags or sagging skin from the under-eye area. As we age, the skin can lose elasticity, and fat pads can descend, leading to drooping tissue and an overall tired appearance – especially around the eyes. This drives many people to seek procedures designed to revitalize the appearance of the eye area. Blepharoplasties have consistently been one of the most popular and widely performed cosmetic procedures in the country for the past few years, seeing a 13% increase between 2019 and 2022, with another 5% increase between 2022 and 2023 alone. (1, 2)
If a patient has noticed sagging or puffy skin underneath their eyes, Dr. Amber L. Allen of Allen Aesthetic Surgery can help them find a solution. Dr. Allen is a boarded general surgeon and a certified cosmetic surgeon recognized by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. She is known for providing consistent, stunning results, and she has established herself as a leader in her industry, with over a decade of experience. Dr. Allen trained under the guidance of some of the most renowned surgeons in the country.
To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Allen, please call her North Raleigh office at (919) 676-5052 or contact us online.
Contents
About Lower Eyelid Lifts
A lower eyelid lift is a form of blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) that aims to revitalize the appearance of the lower eyelids by addressing common signs and symptoms of aging, such as sagging or puffy eye bags, deep wrinkles or creases under the eyes, and a general tired appearance. Many factors can lead to sagging skin and excess fat under the eyes, including aging, genetics, and lifestyle factors. Because the skin in this area is so thin and delicate, signs of aging can be seen sooner compared to other areas of the face. (3)
Benefits of Lower Eyelid Lifts
There are many ways patients can benefit from receiving a lower eyelid lift. Patients can experience an improvement in confidence as their puffy eye bags and sagging skin are reduced, leaving them with a more alert yet youthful-looking appearance, as well as smoother and tighter skin. This customizable treatment offers long-lasting results with little to no visible scarring and a short procedure and recovery time.
To speak to a member of our team about how a lower eyelid lift can benefit you, please call (919) 676-5052 or contact us online.
Ideal Candidates
Ideal candidates for a lower eyelift include those experiencing puffy under-eye bags without a significant amount of excess skin or laxity. Patients with fine lines and wrinkles are excellent candidates for this procedure. All candidates interested in this procedure should be in good overall health and free of any underlying medical conditions that may impact recovery.
Personal Consultation
We ask that patients schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Allen before their procedure. The consultation is a chance for our team to not only get to know the patient better but how to best help them achieve their goals. At the personal consultation, Dr. Allen will spend around 45-60 minutes with the patient to discuss their concerns and medical history before examining the treatment area. After crafting the custom treatment plan, she will provide them with preoperative and postoperative instructions as well as a price quote for the procedure. Consultations are $100 at Allen Aesthetic Surgery; this fee is credited back to you should you proceed with the procedure within 90 days of your initial consultation.
To schedule your personal consultation at our Raleigh office, please call (919) 676-5052 or contact us online.
Preparation
Dr. Allen or her staff will provide the patient with a list of personalized instructions so they know how to properly prepare for their procedure. It is important to follow these instructions to facilitate a smooth recovery and ideal results. Patients should pre-arrange transportation home from the procedure, as well as any necessary time away from work and other social activities. Medications and other supplements with blood-thinning properties should be avoided several weeks before the procedure. If applicable, patients must cease smoking several weeks before their procedure and refrain from tobacco or nicotine use until fully healed.
Patients should eat a light breakfast before their procedure, or temporarily fast if IV sedation is used.
Procedure
On the day of the procedure, patients should arrive in loose, comfortable clothing and with a clean face free of any makeup or skincare products. They will receive either general anesthesia or IV sedation to help minimize any potential discomfort. Dr. Allen will then make an incision either in the lower eyelid, just below the lash line, or on the inside of the lower eyelid. These techniques are referred to as transcutaneous blepharoplasty and transconjunctival blepharoplasty, respectively. (4)
Dr. Allen will reposition any descended fat in the under-eye area before removing excess tissue. The entire procedure can last between one to two hours, depending on each patient’s anatomy and the degree of correction needed.
Recovery
The recovery process for a lower eyelid lift can vary slightly from patient to patient. Bruising and swelling can be expected around the treated area for the first week of healing, but will gradually subside. Patients can minimize these effects by keeping their head elevated.
Most patients can return to some light activities within a few days, but should continue avoiding intense physical activity until Dr. Allen advises. Dr. Allen will ask the patient to return to the office for follow-up visits so our team can monitor the healing progress. Full healing may take several weeks as residual swelling decreases.
Results
The results of a lower eyelid lift leave patients with a more youthful, refreshed appearance. Patients can experience reduced under-eye bags, a smoother eyelid contour, and tightened skin, with results lasting for up to ten years.
Corresponding Procedures
Many procedures can be performed alongside a lower blepharoplasty to help achieve fuller facial rejuvenation. Popular complementary procedures include:
- Facelift: A facelift is a cosmetic procedure that can help further restore a youthful appearance to the face and neck. Dr. Allen can reposition the underlying facial muscles while removing sagging skin and tissue to refresh one’s appearance.
- Forehead Lift: A forehead lift, also known as a brow lift, is a procedure that helps eliminate sagging skin, as well as deep creases and wrinkles, from the forehead. This procedure can be combined with an eyelid lift for a deeper level of facial revitalization.
- Upper Eyelid Lift: Like the lower eyelid lift, an upper eyelid lift is designed to help improve eyelid aesthetics by removing and repositioning sagging tissue. Patients who receive both of these procedures often look years younger as a result.
To learn more about corresponding treatments for lower blepharoplasty, please read Dr. Allen’s blog!
Cost of Lower Eyelid Lifts in Raleigh, North Carolina
The cost of lower blepharoplasty can vary from patient to patient, depending on multiple factors. Each procedure is fully tailored to help patients reach their goals and address their specific concerns. A quote will be presented once Dr. Allen performs an evaluation and crafts the custom treatment plan.
To explore the full cost of a lower eyelid lift, please call (919) 676-5052 or contact us online, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible!
FAQ
Is there an ideal age for a lower eyelid lift?
While there is no specific age requirement, most patients receiving this procedure are over the age of 40, as this procedure is ideal for reducing signs of aging around the eyes.
How long will the results of my lower eyelid lift last?
Experiences will vary between patients, but results can last for up to ten years.
Will there be any visible scarring after a lower eyelid lift?
This depends on the approach that is most effective for the patient. With the transconjunctival approach, patients will not have any visible scarring following their procedure. If the incision is placed just below the lower lashline, patients will have a discreet external scar. How soon can I return to work after my lower eyelid lift? Most patients find that they can return to work after about one to two weeks, depending on the nature of their job.
Can I combine my lower eyelid lift with another procedure?
Yes, many patients choose to complement their blepharoplasty with another procedure for a deeper level of rejuvenation. Popular complementing procedures include the facelift, forehead lift, and upper eyelid lift.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Procedural Statistics Data Insights Partners: 2022 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2022/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2022.pdf
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- New biological insights into skin aging around the eye. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2016;74(5):AB28. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.02.112
- Raggio BS, Winters R. Lower Lid Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty. Nih.gov. Published December 29, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545179/
- Rebowe RE, Runyan C. Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482381/
- Naik M, Honavar S, Das S, Desai S, Dhepe N. Blepharoplasty: An overview. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2009;2(1):6. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.53092