Brow Lift vs Eyelid Surgery

At a glance

Two procedures, two different problems

A brow lift raises a low or heavy brow and smooths the horizontal lines on the forehead. Eyelid surgery, called blepharoplasty, removes the extra skin and fat that make the eyes look tired or heavy. They sound alike because both change the area around your eyes, but they correct different anatomy.

When the brow is the real problem

If your eyebrows sit low and push the upper lids down, lifting the brow is what actually opens the eye area. A brow lift moves the brow back up and softens the frown lines between the brows. When the brow drops, the upper lid folds over it, which is why a low brow can look like heavy eyelids.

When the eyelid is the real problem

If your brow sits in a good position and the skin of the upper lid simply sags, eyelid surgery alone is enough. A blepharoplasty trims that extra skin and, in the lower lids, repositions or removes the fat that forms bags. It does not lift the brow.

Why they are often done together

The brow and the upper eyelid age together, so many patients get both at once. One operation means one recovery instead of two, and the result looks balanced. Dr. Franco checks the brow position first, then the lid, and tells you which combination your face actually needs.

Recovery

Both procedures bring about a week of swelling and some bruising around the eyes. Most people return to work in a week to ten days and can travel after that. You sleep with your head raised and avoid straining for the first week.

Cost

In Medellín, upper eyelid surgery runs from about $1,200 to $2,000, a fraction of the $4,000 to $6,000 it often costs in the United States. A brow lift is quoted by range because the technique and the amount of lift change from one face to the next. Your written quote depends on your photos and your anatomy.

Related pages

• Brow lift in Medellín
• Blepharoplasty: the full guide
• Facelift in Medellín: the full overview
• Facelift recovery timeline

Next steps

Send a front-facing photo and one profile photo with your face relaxed. Dr. Franco will tell you whether your brow, your eyelid, or both need the lift.