Brow Lift vs Upper Blepharoplasty: Which Eye Rejuvenation Surgery Is Right?

A tired or aged eye appearance can come from different causes. In some cases, the eyebrows sit too low and weigh down the upper eyelids. In others, excess eyelid skin creates heaviness even when the brows are well positioned. Because these problems originate from different anatomical areas, the choice between a brow lift and upper blepharoplasty depends on what is actually causing the droopy look.

This guide explains the key differences between brow lift vs upper blepharoplasty, including what each procedure treats, who it’s for, and how to choose the right option.

What Is a Brow Lift?

A brow lift (forehead lift) raises the position of the eyebrows and rejuvenates the upper face.

It primarily addresses:

• Low or drooping eyebrows
• Heavy-looking upper face
• Forehead wrinkles and frown lines
• A tired, angry, or sad eye expression caused by brow descent

By lifting the brow upward, the eyes appear more open and refreshed—even without touching the eyelid itself.

Who is a good candidate for a brow lift?

• Naturally low or sagging brows
• Eyelid heaviness caused by brow descent
• Forehead wrinkles affecting eye appearance
• Patients seeking upper-face rejuvenation

What Is Upper Blepharoplasty?

Upper blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery) removes excess skin and sometimes fat from the upper eyelids.

It primarily addresses:

• Excess or droopy upper eyelid skin
• Hooded eyelids
• Eyelid heaviness interfering with eye shape
• In some cases, visual obstruction

Upper blepharoplasty reshapes the eyelid itself without changing the position of the eyebrows.

Who is a good candidate for upper blepharoplasty?

• Excess eyelid skin
• Hooded or folded upper eyelids
• Good brow position but heavy lids
• Patients wanting eyelid definition and a cleaner crease

Brow Lift vs Upper Blepharoplasty: Key Differences

Primary treatment area

• Brow lift: Forehead and eyebrows
• Upper blepharoplasty: Upper eyelids

Cause of improvement

• Brow lift: Elevates drooping brows that weigh down the eyes
• Upper blepharoplasty: Removes excess eyelid skin and fat

Effect on facial expression

• Brow lift: Changes overall eye expression and forehead appearance
• Upper blepharoplasty: Refines eyelid shape without altering brow position

Longevity

• Brow lift: Long-lasting upper-face correction
• Upper blepharoplasty: Long-lasting eyelid improvement

Recovery

• Brow lift: Slightly longer recovery depending on technique
• Upper blepharoplasty: Typically shorter recovery

Which Procedure Is Better?

Neither procedure is inherently better—they solve different problems.

A brow lift may be better if:

• The eyebrows sit low
• The eyes look heavy due to brow descent
• Forehead aging affects eye appearance

An upper blepharoplasty may be better if:

• Excess eyelid skin is the main issue
• The brow position is normal
• The goal is eyelid definition rather than brow elevation

In many cases, surgeons recommend combining a brow lift and upper blepharoplasty for balanced, natural eye rejuvenation.

Brow Lift vs Upper Blepharoplasty in Korea

Korea is well known for precise eye and facial surgery, with an emphasis on:

• Natural eye shape preservation
• Minimal scarring
• Customized facial balance

Both brow lifts and upper blepharoplasty in Korea are often planned based on facial anatomy rather than age alone, resulting in subtle and harmonious outcomes.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between brow lift vs upper blepharoplasty is essential for choosing the right eye rejuvenation procedure. While a brow lift addresses eyebrow position and upper-face aging, upper blepharoplasty focuses on excess eyelid skin.

A proper surgical consultation is the key step to identifying whether one procedure—or a combination of both—will deliver the most natural result.