Age-Related Eyelid Surgery

Clinical Overview & Guide

Age-Related Eyelid Surgery (Rejuvenative Blepharoplasty & Periorbital Lifting) addresses both the functional and aesthetic changes that develop as upper and lower eyelid tissues lose elasticity over time—including lateral hooding, visual field obstruction, skin maceration at the outer corners, lower eyelid bags, and deep periorbital wrinkles. Because aggressive skin excision along the eyelid crease in thicker-skinned patients can produce an unnatural or harsh expression, selecting the correct incision plane based on eyebrow position and skin thickness gradient is essential.

At IBON Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ju-Chan Kim (Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon) performs a comprehensive periorbital aging assessment to tailor a combination of four core rejuvenative procedures.

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Comparison of Surgical Procedures

Each procedure targets a specific anatomical layer and zone of periorbital aging:

Surgical Procedure	Incision Location & Core Mechanism	Ideal Candidates
Upper Blepharoplasty	Excises redundant skin and excess fat along the double eyelid crease while tightening lax levator/orbicularis tissue	Patients with sagging upper eyelid skin who want to create a new crease or restore a hidden crease
Subbrow Lift (Infrabrow Excision)	Removes sagging thick skin directly along the lower border of the eyebrow without altering the eyelid margin	Patients with thick upper eyelid skin or lateral hooding who wish to preserve their natural crease and original eye expression
Suprabrow Lift	Excises redundant tissue along the upper margin of the eyebrow to directly elevate a ptotic brow and outer lid	Patients with true eyebrow descent or a narrow brow-to-eye distance where subbrow excision alone is insufficient
Lower Blepharoplasty	Uses a subciliary incision beneath the lower lashes to reposition herniated fat and tighten lax skin and orbicularis muscle	Patients with combined under-eye fat bulging, skin redundancy, and lower eyelid rhytids

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Key Clinical Considerations in Periorbital Rejuvenation

• Functional Relief Alongside Aesthetic Refinement: Corrects upper eyelid hooding that presses down on the eyelashes, causes outer-corner skin irritation from tearing, or forces compensatory forehead wrinkling.
• Preserving Natural Facial Character: When patients want to avoid the "operated" look of a newly created crease in thicker skin, a Subbrow Lift or Endoscopic Forehead Lift lifts the heavy tissue while keeping the patient's natural eye shape intact.
• Clinical Guides & References: Explore our in-depth guides on How Eyelids Change With Age and What the Clinic Measures, Subbrow and Suprabrow Lift Comparison, and Lower Blepharoplasty Procedure Guide and Recovery Timeline. All procedures follow surgical standards established by the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (KSPRS) and the Archives of Craniofacial Surgery (ACFS).

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Surgical & Recovery Overview

• Procedure Time: Approximately 60 to 90 minutes (depending on single procedure vs. combined upper and lower eyelid rejuvenation)
• Anesthesia: Local anesthesia with short-acting intravenous sedation
• Suture Removal: Days 5 to 7 post-op
• Recovery Timeline: Major swelling and bruising subside within 1 to 2 weeks, and incision lines tucked along the brow margin or lower lash line fade progressively over the following months. For a personalized periorbital aging consultation, book a 1:1 Online Consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. How do I choose between Upper Blepharoplasty and a Subbrow Lift?
A. Eyelid skin is thinnest near the eyelashes and becomes progressively thicker toward the eyebrow. If a patient has thick skin and mainly lateral hooding, excising a wide strip of skin at the crease via Upper Blepharoplasty brings thick upper skin directly down to the fold, which can look heavy. In such cases, a Subbrow Lift removes the thick skin right beneath the eyebrow, delivering a much softer, more natural result. Conversely, if the crease itself is loose or absent, Upper Blepharoplasty is preferred.

Q. What is the difference between Lower Blepharoplasty and Under-Eye Fat Repositioning?
A. Under-Eye Fat Repositioning is performed through the inner conjunctiva without skin excision and is ideal when skin elasticity is still firm. Lower Blepharoplasty addresses fat bulging and simultaneously removes redundant, wrinkled skin while suspending the orbicularis muscle for comprehensive lower eyelid rejuvenation.