Eyelid | Brow lift

Eyelid & Brow Lift in Annapolis, MD with Dr. Sandel

Eyelid surgery and brow lifts are sophisticated cosmetic procedures aimed at refreshing and enhancing the appearance of the eyes. If your eyes look droopy and tired, they send a message of poor health and low energy. The goal of eyelid and brow lift surgeries is to correct these issues.

Eyelid surgery freshens the appearance of the eyes and gives your face a brighter, more alert look. A brow lift raises the eyebrows for a similar effect and can lift the upper eyelids while also smoothing forehead creases.

You can choose to have eyelid or brow lift surgery as a stand-alone procedure, or combine the two surgeries to rejuvenate the upper portion of your face.

Dr. Henry Sandel has extensive experience in eyelid and brow lift surgery. He has dual board certification in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology (head and neck surgery). He has earned a reputation for his beautifully customized and natural results. Contact us today to schedule a consultation in Annapolis with one of the best eyelid surgeons in Maryland.

male eyelid surgery before and after
Eyelid Surgery Before and After

What Is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is plastic surgery to improve the appearance of the eyelids. It lifts drooping upper eyelids by removing excess skin and fat. On the lower eyelids, it reduces bulges or bagginess below the eyes.

Upper eyelid surgery, or an eyelid lift, removes excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids. As we age, the skin on our upper eyelids tends to stretch, which can lead to a sleepy appearance. Fat can build up in the upper eyelids, too, adding to their puffy, tired look. Some people have sagging upper eyelids from a young age. Upper eyelid surgery corrects these issues, lifting the upper eyelids and brightening your appearance. An eyelid lift can also improve your vision if the upper eyelids have sagged so far that they block part of your field of view.

Lower eyelid surgery focuses primarily on the buildup of fat in the lower lids. This excess fat can cause the lower eyelids to bulge and is responsible for the bags that appear under the eyes. Reducing the amount of fat in the lower eyelids gives a younger, fresher look to your face. In some cases, Dr. Sandel may also remove a sliver of excess skin to tighten and smooth the lower eyelid.

Dr. Sandel close up

Schedule A Consultation

Dr. Henry D. Sandel specializes as a facial plastic surgeon, offering multiple surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation methods to his Annapolis area patients. Dr. Sandel specializes in facelift, neck lift and brow lift. To see if one or more of these options are right for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our team today. Dr. Sandel and the rest of our team are eager to meet with you!

What Is a Brow Lift?

A brow lift, or forehead lift, is surgery to subtly lift sagging eyebrows and soften lines and wrinkles on the forehead. Dr. Sandel removes excess skin and repositions the underlying muscles and tissues. This procedure results in more open upper eyelids, less heaviness in the brows, and a lifted appearance to the outer aspect of the eyes in the temple region. In women, a brow lift gives an attractive arch to the outer part of the eyebrow.

Why Might I Consider Eyelid Surgery or a Brow Lift in Annapolis?

You might consider eyelid surgery or a brow lift if you have concerns about the appearance of your eyes or the upper portion of your face and want to achieve a younger, more refreshed look.

Eyelid surgery can:

before and after eyelid surgery female patient Sandel Duggal
before and after eyelid surgery female patient front view Annapolis

Brow Lift surgery can:

What Happens During a Brow or Eyelid Lift?

Dr. Sandel performs eyelid and brow lift surgeries in our West Annapolis Surgery Center, either under local anesthesia or under sedation. The procedures are safe and effective with very minimal risks.

In an upper eyelid lift, the surgeon makes a small incision in the crease of the upper eyelid. He removes excess skin and fat to raise the eyelid, eliminate puffiness, and reduce the weight of the eyelid. Then, he places fine sutures to minimize scarring. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes.

In lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Sandel makes an incision along the lash line or in the smile crease to minimize the visibility of scars. As in upper eyelid surgery, he removes excess skin and fat before closing the incisions with sutures. You can have fat removed from the lower eyelids transferred to your upper cheeks to give a younger and more natural-looking balance to your facial features. The procedure usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour.

brow lift / eyelid surgery before and after

In a brow lift at the Sandel Duggal Center, we use an endoscopic procedure designed to minimize scarring and speed recovery. The procedure requires light anesthesia and usually takes less than an hour. Dr. Sandel places a series of short incisions behind the hairline without removing any hair. Then, using a tiny camera called an endoscope, the surgeon gently lifts the forehead skin and underlying muscles and secures them in a new position. This procedure raises the eyebrows slightly and softens forehead lines. You may wish to combine your brow lift with Botox® treatments to reduce worry lines and make crow’s feet disappear.

You’ll be able to return home the day of the surgery, once the sedation wears off, with a friend or family member to drive you.

“Forehead lifting is a nice complement to upper eyelid procedures. It helps patients who have been using Botox over the years to give a more long lasting result in smoothing the skin and elevating the crows feet. No longer are the days where we need long incisions… minimally invasive techniques are state-of-the-art nowadays.” --Henry D. Sandel IV, MD FACS

What to Expect in Eyelid & Brow Lift Recovery

With eyelid surgery  and brow lift recovery you won’t need to worry about bandages after surgery. You can get your sutures removed after five days for eyelid surgery and seven days for a brow lift, at which point you can resume social and light activities. You may experience some swelling or bruising for the first week after surgery. These will gradually subside and completely disappear within a few weeks.

You can hide any short-term bruising from the surgery with a little makeup once your sutures come out and the incisions have healed. You’ll be able to get back to more strenuous activities and exercise after about six weeks.

Dr. Sandel will provide detailed instructions for your care in recovery, including directions for preventing infection and a schedule of follow-up appointments

Contact Us Today

The Sandel Duggal Center for Plastic Surgery is one of the top plastic surgery practices in Maryland and is consistently rated the top practice in Annapolis. Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Henry Sandel to learn more about what a Maryland eyelid or brow lift surgery can do for you. Contact us online or call (410) 266-7120.

Blepharoplasty FAQs in Annapolis, MD

A brow lift may be the best option if you have drooping eyebrows or deep forehead lines. If you have excess skin on the upper eyelids or puffiness under the eyes, an eyelid lift may be more appropriate. Many patients benefit from combining the procedures for a more youthful, refreshed look.

Yes, if excess skin on the upper eyelids is blocking your field of vision, an eyelid lift can help restore clearer sight. A brow lift may also help by repositioning heavy, sagging brows that contribute to hooded eyelids.

Results vary depending on factors like skin quality, aging, and lifestyle, but in general:

  • An eyelid lift can last 10 to 15 years or more.
  • A brow lift typically lasts 10 years or longer.
  • Proper skincare, sun protection, and a healthy lifestyle can help maintain your results.

No, modern brow lift techniques are designed to create a natural, refreshed look without pulling the brows too high. Dr. Sandel will customize the procedure to enhance your facial harmony while preserving natural expressions.

Depending on the procedure and patient preference, an eyelid or brow lift can be performed using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. Sandel will recommend the best option based on your needs and comfort level.

Yes, some non-surgical treatments can provide temporary improvement, including:

  • Botox to relax forehead wrinkles and lift the brows slightly
  • Dermal fillers add volume to hollow areas around the eyes
  • Laser resurfacing to improve skin texture and fine lines

However, surgery provides the most long-lasting and effective results to address significant sagging or drooping.

While both procedures end with some scarring, Dr. Sandel will take steps to minimize visible scarring. Eyelid lift scars are hidden in the natural eyelid crease or inside the lower lid and brow lift scars are typically concealed within the hairline. Over time, scars will fade significantly and become barely noticeable.

You should avoid applying eye makeup for at least 10 to 14 days after surgery to allow incisions to heal properly. Your surgeon will provide personalized guidelines based on your recovery progress.

Most patients return to work within 7 to 10 days, depending on the extent of the procedure and individual healing. Bruising and swelling typically subside within 2 weeks, but full results may take a few months to become apparent.

An eyelid lift can improve puffiness and sagging that contribute to dark circles, but it does not directly address pigmentation or skin discoloration. For persistent dark circles, treatments like laser therapy, chemical peels, or fillers may be recommended.

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