Do You Need Upper or Lower Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is one of the most effective cosmetic procedures for facial rejuvenation. But should you opt for upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both?

At Cosmetic Surgery Partners London, we specialise in tailored eyelid procedures designed to restore a youthful, refreshed appearance without looking “overdone.” This article will help you understand the key differences between upper and lower eyelid surgery—and which may be right for your concerns.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing excess skin and often muscle and fat also. It is commonly used to address:

  • Drooping upper eyelids
  • Puffy under-eye bags
  • Tired or aged appearance
  • Vision impairment caused by sagging eyelid skin

You can read a full overview of this procedure on our blepharoplasty treatment page.

Do You Need Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Upper eyelid surgery targets sagging skin, fatty deposits, and wrinkles on the upper eyelid.

Ideal Candidates:

  • People whose upper eyelids droop over their eyelashes
  • Those experiencing reduced vision due to heavy eyelids
  • Individuals with tired or hooded eyes

Benefits:

  • Creates a more open, youthful eye area
  • Enhances natural eyelid contour
  • Can restore peripheral vision

Learn more about the signs and surgical techniques for upper eyelid surgery in our blepharoplasty advice guide.

Do You Need Lower Eyelid Surgery?

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty focuses on removing under-eye bags, tightening loose skin, and repositioning fat to smooth the area beneath the eye.

Ideal Candidates:

  • People with puffiness or bags under the eyes
  • Wrinkled or crepey lower eyelid skin
  • Dark circles caused by fat protrusion

Benefits:

  • Restores a rested and refreshed appearance
  • Reduces shadows and hollowness under the eyes
  • Smoothens the lower lid contour

For an in-depth look, download our detailed Blepharoplasty PDF brochure.

Upper vs. Lower Eyelid Surgery: Key Differences

Feature     Upper Eyelid Surgery    Lower Eyelid Surgery
Target Area      Upper lid skin and fat            Under-eye bags and skin
Primary Concern   Sagging, vision obstruction         Puffiness, ageing, dark circles
Recovery Time          1–2 weeks                         2–3 weeks
Common in40+ age group, visual impact          30–50 age group, aesthetic goals

In some cases, a combined upper and lower blepharoplasty provides the best results for complete eye rejuvenation. This is something our surgeons assess during your consultation.

Real Patient Transformations

Seeing is believing. Explore our eyelid surgery before and after gallery to view results from real patients who’ve undergone upper, lower, or combined blepharoplasty with our expert team.

Why Choose Cosmetic Surgery Partners?

Our blepharoplasty procedures are performed by GMC-registered consultant facial plastic surgeons with extensive NHS and private experience. We focus on delivering natural-looking results that preserve your identity—just more youthful and refreshed.

For more information about what blepharoplasty involves and what to expect, visit our article: What Is Blepharoplasty?

Book Your Consultation Today

Still unsure which eyelid procedure suits your needs? Book a consultation with one of our expert facial plastic surgeons to get personalised advice based on your facial structure and goals. 👉 Enquire now about eyelid surgery

Article topics

Face Body Breast Gender Non-Surgical
Face Body Breast Gender Non-Surgical