How Do I Know If I Need a Brow Lift or a Blepharoplasty?

Ever caught yourself in the mirror and thought, “Why do I look tired when I feel great?” Or maybe you’ve started rocking that unintentionally concerned vibe thanks to a little extra sag up top? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. When it comes to upper face rejuvenation, two popular solutions are the brow lift and blepharoplasty (a.k.a. eyelid surgery). But figuring out which one (or both) you need can feel like trying to solve a riddle you didn’t sign up for. We’re here to break it all down, no confusing medical jargon—just the facts.

What’s the Difference Between a Brow Lift and a Blepharoplasty?

Let’s get one thing straight: both procedures are major glow-up moves, but they do very different things.

• A brow lift focuses on repositioning saggy brows, smoothing forehead wrinkles, and helping you lose that “I’m mad at the world” look.
• A blepharoplasty, on the other hand, is all about the eyes—removing excess skin that persists after repositioning the brow, tackling under-eye bags, and making you look refreshed and wide-eyed (without the caffeine).

Think of it this way: the brow lift works higher up, while blepharoplasty zeroes in on the eye area.

So, How Do You Know Which One You Need?

Here’s the cheat sheet you didn’t know you needed.

Signs You Might Need a Brow Lift:

• Your brows are hanging out lower than they used to (and not in the “cool, effortless” way).
• You’re noticing deep lines across your forehead from always raising your eyebrows.
• People keep asking, “Are you okay?” when you’re totally fine—it’s just your face.

Signs You Might Need a Blepharoplasty:

• Your upper eyelids are drooping so much it’s messing with your vision (or making eyeshadow a nightmare).
• Puffy under-eye bags refuse to leave, no matter how much sleep or skincare you try.
• You look perpetually mad or tired—even after you’ve clocked a solid 8 hours.

Can You Do Both? (Spoiler: Yes, and It’s a Power Move)

Here’s the tea: a lot of people benefit from combining a brow lift and a blepharoplasty. Why? Because they work together like PB&J. A brow lift handles the upper face, repositioning your brows where they are supposed to be and smoothing out wrinkles, while blepharoplasty fine-tunes the eye area for a more youthful, refreshed look.

Think of it as hitting the reset button on your upper face—but keeping the character and charm that make you you.

What’s the Procedure Like?

Brow Lift 101

A brow lift can be done using different techniques, depending on your needs. The most common approach? Endoscopic brow lift—it’s less invasive and comes with minimal scarring. During the procedure, your surgeon repositions the tissue and muscles, lifting the brows and smoothing out wrinkles.

• Downtime: 3–7 days.
• Bonus: Hidden incisions (usually) behind the hairline and no cutting of hair make scars practically invisible.

Blepharoplasty Basics

For blepharoplasty, your surgeon removes excess skin, fat, or both from the upper or lower eyelids. The result? Brighter, more awake eyes, and no more dealing with that annoying extra skin.

• Downtime: 7–10 days.
• Pro Tip: Scars are cleverly placed in natural creases, so they’re barely noticeable.

How Much Does It Cost?

Let’s get real: these procedures aren’t covered by insurance if they’re purely cosmetic. However, if your saggy eyelids are affecting your vision, blepharoplasty might be partially covered. The cost depends on factors like the complexity of the procedure and whether you’re combining treatments.

During your consultation, your surgeon will clearly break down the costs and any financing options (because looking fabulous shouldn’t break the bank).

The Recovery Lowdown

Whether you opt for a brow lift, blepharoplasty, or both, recovery is manageable with the right prep.

• Brow Lift: You’ll experience some swelling and tightness, but most people feel back to normal quickly. Bruising and numbness can sometimes extend the recovery
• Blepharoplasty: Bruising and puffiness are common, but you’ll start seeing noticeable improvements in about a week. Eyedrops and nighttime ointments continue to be used for a couple of weeks. 

Remember: sunscreen is your BFF after any facial procedure. Protect that glowing, youthful skin like your life depends on it.

Why Brobst Facial Plastic Surgery Is the Real Deal

At Brobst Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, Dr. Robert “Bo” Brobst and his team aren’t just skilled, they’re artists. With years of experience and a focus on natural-looking results, Dr. Brobst is all about making you look like the best version of yourself (no cookie-cutter vibes here). From personalized consultations to top-notch post-op care, you’ll feel like the star of your own makeover show.

Final Thoughts: Brow Lift or Blepharoplasty?

Deciding between a brow lift and blepharoplasty doesn’t have to be stressful. If you’re still not sure which one is right for you, let the experts guide you. A quick consultation can help pinpoint what’s holding you back from feeling 100% confident.

Ready to take the next step? Contact Brobst Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics to schedule your consultation. It’s time to put your best face forward—literally.