Blepharoplasty vs. Brow Lift
Understanding the Difference Between Blepharoplasty and Brow Lift Procedures
Blepharoplasty and brow lift surgery are two of Korea’s most popular eye-rejuvenation procedures — but they treat very different problems. Many patients think they need double eyelid surgery or upper blepharoplasty, when in reality, the real issue is a drooping brow causing hooded eyes. Others choose a brow lift when they actually need eyelid skin removal or ptosis correction.
This guide explains the differences, ideal candidates, and how to choose the right procedure for your anatomy.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper blepharoplasty removes excess eyelid skin, fat, or muscle to brighten and open the upper eye area.
In Korea, this includes:
- Upper eyelid skin removal
- Double eyelid crease creation
- Fat repositioning
- Ptosis correction (levator muscle tightening)
Lower Blepharoplasty
Targets:
- Eye bags
- Under-eye fat bulges
- Hollow tear troughs
- Skin laxity
Korea often combines lower surgery with fat repositioning for smooth, youthful under-eyes.
What Blepharoplasty Fixes:
- Sagging eyelid skin
- Hooded eyelids from excess skin
- Heavy upper lids
- Tired appearance
- Obstructed vision (severe cases)
- Asymmetrical eyelids
- Weak eyelid muscle (ptosis)
What Is a Brow Lift?
Brow Lift Definition
A brow lift raises the eyebrow position to relieve heaviness on the eyelids caused by brow droop (brow ptosis).
Common Korean methods:
- Endoscopic brow lift
- Temporal brow lift
- Direct brow lift
- Endotine brow fixation
What a Brow Lift Fixes:
- Low or drooping eyebrows
- Outer eye hooding
- Deep lateral hooding over the lash line
- Angry, tired, or stern expression
- Forehead lines from brow compensation
- Shadowed upper eyelids
A brow lift does not remove eyelid skin — it simply lifts the brow back to its natural position.
Blepharoplasty vs. Brow Lift: Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Blepharoplasty If:
- You see loose skin folding over your eyelid
- You have monolids or want a double eyelid crease
- Your brow position is normal
- Your eyelids feel heavy even when your brows are lifted
- You have sagging upper lid skin, not brow droop
Choose a Brow Lift If:
- You lift your brows with your fingers and your eyelids look less hooded
- Your brows sit low or rest directly on the orbital rim
- You look tired even with minimal eyelid skin
- The outer eyelids droop more than the center
- You get deep forehead wrinkles from constantly lifting your brows
Choose Both (Combination Surgery) If:
- You have hooding from both brow sagging and eyelid skin
- You already had eyelid surgery but still look hooded
- You have ptosis + brow droop
- You want long-lasting eye-opening results
Combination brow lift + blepharoplasty is extremely common in Korea for a balanced, youthful appearance.
How Korean Surgeons Decide Which Procedure You Need
Korean eye specialists examine:
- Brow height
- Brow-to-lash distance
- Amount of eyelid skin
- Levator muscle strength (ptosis)
- Outer vs inner eyelid hooding
- Skull shape and eyebrow bone projection
- Low eyebrow habits (common in Korea)
This ensures the final result stays natural and harmonious with Korean facial proportions.
Healing & Downtime Differences
Blepharoplasty
- Swelling: 5–10 days
- Stitches removed: 3–7 days
- Final result: 1–3 months
Brow Lift
- Swelling: 3–7 days
- Minimal visible scarring (endoscopic/temporal)
- Final result: 1–2 months
Brow lifts typically have less visible scarring because incisions are hidden in the hairline.
Which One Looks More Natural?
Blepharoplasty:
Natural when:
- The crease is low
- Excess skin is conservatively removed
- Ptosis is corrected properly
Brow Lift:
Natural when:
- The lift angle is soft
- Only a small elevation is needed
- It improves eye openness without creating a “surprised” look
Korean surgeons prioritize subtlety, making both procedures appear extremely natural when done correctly.
Common Misconceptions in Korea
“Double eyelid surgery fixes hooded eyes.”
Not always.
If the brow is too low, eyelid surgery alone may fail — requiring a brow lift.
“Brow lifts always look unnatural.”
Modern Korean brow lifts use minimal incisions and micro-lifting angles for soft, unnoticeable results.
“Blepharoplasty and brow lifts are interchangeable.”
They solve different problems and often work best together.
