Your eyes and brow area do a lot of talking long before you say a word. If you’re noticing heaviness, hooding, or a “tired” look in photos (even after a full night’s sleep), two procedures often come up in the conversation: brow lift and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). While similar, they solve different problems, and choosing the right one comes down to where the aging changes originate.
The Glasgold Group is renowned for creating natural-looking, refreshed results that still look like you. Below, we break down the differences, key signs to look for in the mirror, recovery expectations, and when it makes sense to combine procedures.
What Each Procedure Treats
Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)
- Elevates descended brows, especially the outer “tails”
- Restores a youthful brow position to reduce upper-lid hooding
- Softens forehead creases created by constant brow elevation
- Smooths frown lines that contribute to an “angry” or stern expression
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
- Removes or repositions excess eyelid skin and fat to refine upper and/or lower lids
- Restores a smoother, more alert contour by softening puffiness, hooding, and heaviness
- Addresses lower-lid bags, puffiness, or deep hollows/shadows
- Improves symmetry and corrects concerns that makeup can’t conceal
- Enhances visual fields when overhanging upper-lid skin obstructs vision
Which Procedure Fits Your Concerns? A Quick Self-Check
- Finger Test: Place two fingers just above your outer brows and lift gently upward.
- If the hooding improves, the issue likely stems from brow position, which can be addressed with a brow lift.
- If the excess skin remains, the concern is on the eyelid itself, so upper blepharoplasty may be right for you.
- Makeup Test: Smudged eyeliner or mascara, or the absence of a visible lid crease, often signals the need for upper blepharoplasty.
- Expression Clues: A stern or tired look from drooping outer brows, or forehead creases deepening as you subconsciously “hold” your brows up, could necessitate a brow lift.
- Under-Eye Signs: Bags, hollows, or persistent shadows usually indicate lower blepharoplasty (fat repositioning or skin refinement), not a brow lift.
- When Both Contribute: A combined approach often achieves the most natural balance if you notice a fallen brow and extra eyelid skin.
Why Choose the Glasgold Group
- Double board-certified facial plastic surgeons with decades of specialization in eyelid and brow rejuvenation
- Early adopters and educators in advanced techniques; fellowship co-directors who have mentored 25+ surgeons
- A results philosophy centered on natural, enduring outcomes and a concierge-level patient experience
- As facial specialists, our surgeons focus on select procedures and perform them with meticulous attention
- We also perform only one surgery per day, protecting the unhurried precision your face deserves
We’re Here to Help You Decide Which is Right For You
An in-person consultation is the best way to determine whether a brow lift, blepharoplasty, or combination is right for you. At the Glasgold Group in Princeton, NJ, we’ll carefully review your photos, evaluate both brow and eyelid position, and design a personalized plan.
Our goal is simple: help you look like your best self. Contact us today to book your consultation.
