Have you noticed that your eyelid crease seems less visible than it used to be—or that your eyeliner and eyeshadow no longer sit the way they once did?
For some people, the issue is excess skin and tissue of the upper eyelid. Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to address this excess and refine the upper eyelid contour.
What is an upper blepharoplasty?
Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure in which excess skin of the upper eyelid is removed, with selective adjustment of underlying fat or muscle when appropriate.
The incision is usually planned within the natural upper-eyelid crease, allowing the resulting scar to sit within a natural fold.
The objective is not to create a completely different-looking eye. It is to refine the eyelid while preserving your natural expression and anatomy.
Why do people consider upper blepharoplasty?
Patients may seek assessment because they notice:
- Excess or hooding of the upper-eyelid skin
- Reduced visible eyelid space
- Difficulty applying or seeing eye makeup
- A feeling of heaviness around the upper eyelids
- Asymmetry between the eyelids
- Age-related changes in the upper eyelid contour
For some patients, the concern is primarily cosmetic. In others, excess upper-eyelid tissue may contribute to functional or visual-field concerns.
What happens during the procedure?
The upper eyelid is carefully assessed and marked before surgery.
The incision is generally placed within or close to the natural eyelid crease.
Depending on the patient’s anatomy, the procedure may involve:
- Removing carefully measured excess skin
- Conservatively addressing underlying fat or muscle when indicated
- Creating a balanced upper-eyelid contour
- Closing the incision meticulously, often with a fine subcuticular suture
The amount of tissue removed is individualised. More removal does not mean a better result.
What about eye makeup?
This is one of the concerns I hear from patients.
When excess upper-eyelid skin overlaps the lid crease, it can reduce the visible eyelid area, making eyeliner or eyeshadow less visible.
After appropriate correction and healing, the increased visible lid space may make eye makeup application easier.
However, the goal of surgery should never be simply to create a larger eyelid. The anatomy of each eye needs to be respected.
Will upper blepharoplasty change the shape of my eyes?
It can alter the appearance of the upper eyelid, but a well-planned procedure should be designed around your existing anatomy rather than imposing a particular eye shape.
The goal is a natural result that remains recognisably yours.
What happens to the incision?
Initially, the incision may appear pink, slightly raised or noticeable.
As it heals, it generally becomes less conspicuous and sits within the natural eyelid crease.
Scar maturation takes time, so the early postoperative appearance should not be considered the final result.
Is upper blepharoplasty the same as a brow lift?
No. Upper-eyelid skin excess and brow descent can sometimes create similar-looking concerns, but they are different anatomical problems.
Some patients may benefit from blepharoplasty alone, while others may need assessment of brow position as well.
This is why examining the entire upper third of the face is important before deciding on surgery.
What about the lower eyelids?
Upper and lower blepharoplasty are separate procedures.
Lower eyelid concerns may involve under-eye bags, fat prominence, hollowness, skin laxity or tear-trough changes, and require a different assessment and surgical approach.
Treating the upper eyelid does not automatically address these concerns.
Recovery after upper blepharoplasty
Following surgery, it is normal to experience some:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tightness
- Mild discomfort
- Temporary asymmetry
Your surgeon will provide specific instructions regarding wound care, activity, makeup and follow-up.
The initial appearance improves as swelling settles, but final scar and tissue maturation takes longer.
Is upper blepharoplasty right for everyone?
Not necessarily. During a consultation, I would assess:
- Upper-eyelid skin excess
- Brow position
- Eyelid anatomy
- Facial asymmetry
- Skin quality
- Underlying tissue
- Functional concerns
- Your expectations
Sometimes the appropriate answer is surgery. Sometimes another approach—or no procedure at all—is more appropriate.
The goal isn’t to create a new pair of eyes.
Upper blepharoplasty is about refining what is already there.
For the right patient, removing a relatively small amount of excess tissue can restore eyelid definition, improve the visible lid space and create a more balanced appearance.
Refine the eyelid. Preserve the expression.
Book a consultation with Dr Catherine Samraj
If you’re concerned about hooded upper eyelids, excess eyelid skin or changes in your eyelid crease, a personalised assessment can help determine whether upper blepharoplasty is appropriate for you.