Upper Eyelid Lift 

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Honolulu, HI

An upper eyelid lift, or upper blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids to reduce drooping and create a more open and youthful appearance. It is ideal for patients who are experiencing overhanging skin on their eyelids that obstructs the field of view and those with a tired, angry, or aged appearance.

Dr. Daniel Murariu is double-board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and by the American Board of Surgery. He has extensive experience and has authored several articles about labiaplasty, facelifts, weight loss, and breast procedures in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, the most prestigious journal in plastic surgery. He leads his practice, Hawaii Aesthetics & Robotic Plastic Surgery, with great compassion and care, allowing each patient to feel seen and achieve the results they want.

If you are struggling with upper eyelid sagging skin or want to enhance your appearance, contact us online or call our office at (808) 302-7188 to schedule your personal consultation.

About Upper Eyelid Lifts

An upper eyelid lift removes excess skin, muscle, and present fat from the upper eyelids to improve hoodedness or blocked vision. As skin ages, it gradually loses its elasticity, and the pull of gravity leads skin and tissue to hang over the eyelids. (1) By removing this hanging tissue, blepharoplasty reopens the eyes, reducing a tired, angry look and rejuvenating the face. Dr. Murariu uses a precise technique to carefully incise along the natural creases of the upper eyelid to hide any scarring. He then trims away bulging fat and excess skin and closes the incision with fine sutures for a near-seamless result.

Benefits

An upper eyelid lift effectively restores a youthful and alert appearance, though it also brings advantages such as:

  • Improved field of vision
  • Decreased eye strain
  • Relieved muscle fatigue
  • Increased confidence
  • Long-lasting rejuvenation

Candidates

If you are currently experiencing functional or cosmetic concerns from dropping or hooded upper eyelid skin, then an upper eyelid lift may be an ideal procedure for you. Additionally, if you have an aged look around your eyes despite proper rest or have difficulty applying eye makeup, this procedure may help you restore a smooth, natural, youthful look. To qualify for treatment, you must be in good general health, be a non-smoker, and hold realistic expectations for your results.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Murariu will review your medical history and discuss your treatment goals. Next, he will examine the severity of your upper eyelid skin sagging, current brow position, underlying muscle structure, and eyelid symmetry. After gathering the necessary information, he will create a personalized treatment plan. This plan will include pre- and post-procedure guidelines to follow, his exact procedure plan, the total cost of treatment, and more.

If you are ready to eliminate drooping skin and fat from your eyelids, contact us online or call our office at (808) 302-7188 to book your consultation!

Preparation

To effectively prepare for your upper eyelid lift, Dr. Murariu advises you to:

  • Stop taking blood-thinning medications and supplements
  • Cease smoking or the use of other nicotine products
  • Complete any required lab testing or eye exams
  • Purchase recovery supplies and arrange a designated recovery area at home
  • Arrange transportation home
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing to the procedure
  • Arrive with clean skin and washed hair to your appointment

Procedure

At the beginning of your procedure, Dr. Murariu will use a marking pen to draw out the natural eyelid crease. He will also gently pinch the redundant skin to measure and outline the amount of tissue to safely remove without affecting the closure of the eye. Next, you will receive general anesthesia to remain comfortably asleep throughout treatment, as well as supplemental local anesthetic to numb the eyelids. (2) Dr. Murariu will carefully remove the strip of loose skin and muscles to remove any bulkiness and sculpt or reposition protruding fat pockets. Once he repositions the eyelids, he will close the incisions using very fine sutures. Lastly, he will apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to protect the area.

Recovery

Immediately after your procedure, you may notice swelling and bruising. These effects are normal, and they often become more pronounced after 48 to 72 hours. Tightness, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision are also common side effects. You can use a cold compress carefully to reduce any discomfort or swelling, and you must elevate your head as you rest to enhance circulation. After five to seven days, Dr. Murariu will evaluate your healing and remove non-dissolvable sutures during your follow-up visit, and bruising and major swelling will begin to subside. By the second week, you may return to light work and activities like normal, but Dr. Murariu advises wearing protective sunglasses when you are in the sun. After three months, you may notice incision lines fading from pink to skin-colored. Incisions will continue to fade until becoming barely perceptible. As you continue to heal, internal swelling will gradually dissipate and reveal your refreshed eye appearance.

Results

After removing excess skin and tissue from the upper eyelids, you will appear more rested and alert with a more youthful appearance. There will be less hooding and sagging skin, which can contribute to an improved visual field. Dr. Murariu carefully hides incisions within the creases of your eyelids, ensuring that signs of surgery remain nearly imperceptible. Patients also report that their eyelids feel lighter than before. Final results can take six weeks to three months to fully develop, but they last from 5 to 15 years with proper care. Although natural aging will continue and the skin can become lax later on, the beneficial improvements of an eyelid lift create a long-lasting rejuvenation that you can enjoy for several years.

Pairing an Upper Eyelid Lift with a Brow Lift

Oftentimes, a brow lift is a vital component of an upper blepharoplasty. A low or sagging eyebrow can exacerbate the amount of skin sagging over the lash line and increase hooding. Combining both procedures addresses loose eyelid skin and fixes the aged, tired appearance of a droopy brow. A brow lift can also reposition, smooth, and tighten the forehead and browline. Paired with an upper eyelid lift’s contouring and rejuvenating effects, patients emerge with bright, opened expressions across the upper face. Additionally, undergoing these procedures at the same time allows you to go through one combined healing period.

Corresponding Procedures

Botox®

Botox is a cosmetic injection that temporarily relaxes facial muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, improve facial contours, and reduce the formation of future wrinkles. Botox can complement an upper eyelid by smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines near the upper and mid-face. (3) Combining Botox with an upper eyelid lift can also raise the outer eyebrow and relax the muscles that pull the brow downward.

Facelift

A facelift can restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance by lifting sagging skin and tightening lax tissues. (4) As normal aging occurs, skin, fat, and other tissues on the face naturally descend, causing the face to appear tired and aged. Combining a facelift with an upper eyelid lift can create balance and full-face rejuvenation.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that targets the lower eyelid to reduce under-eye bags, smooth wrinkles, and reposition or remove excess fat. This procedure is able to access and reposition or remove protruding fat pads that develop with age.

Cost of Upper Eyelid Lifts in Honolulu

The total cost of your upper eyelid lift varies depending on the scale of the procedure, your personal goals, the specific surgical techniques Dr. Murariu will utilize, and whether you decide to pair it with another procedure. During your personal consultation, Dr. Murariu will provide a detailed cost outline. If you are ready to learn more, contact us online or call our office at (808) 302-7188 to schedule your personal consultation.

FAQ

What is an upper eyelid lift?

An upper eyelid lift corrects deformities, disfigurement, and defects of the eyelids either for functional reasons, cosmetic reasons, or both. The most common reason for an upper eyelid lift is because excess skin and fat sag below the lash line and create an aged, tired appearance.

What are the benefits of an upper eyelid lift?

An upper eyelid lift can remove sagging skin that impairs vision and create a youthful-looking and “alert” appearance. Patients frequently report increased confidence and self-esteem, and many find it easier to blink and rest their eyes.

Can you pair an upper eyelid lift with any other treatments?

Yes, you can pair an upper eyelid lift with a brow lift, facelift, lower blepharoplasty, or with other non-surgical treatments such as Botox, laser skin resurfacing, or dermal fillers.

How long does it take to recover after an upper eyelid lift?

The total recovery time for an upper eyelid lift varies for each patient, but on average, it can take six weeks to three months to see full healing and completely resume your daily routine.

What is the difference between an upper and lower eyelid lift?

An upper eyelid lift targets the upper eyelids by removing the sagging skin and hooding on the upper eyelids, and a lower eyelid lift targets puffiness and under-eye bags to create a seamless under-eye look.

Are the results from an upper eyelid procedure permanent?

The results from an upper eyelid procedure are long-lasting, although not entirely permanent. Natural aging will continue, which can alter results over the years. However, the results last anywhere from 5 to 15 years.

References

  1. Will MJ. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty. Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2016;24(2):125-133. doi:10.1016/j.cxom.2016.05.008
  2. Poh EWT, O’Donnell BA, McNab AA, et al. Outcomes of upper eyelid reconstruction. Ophthalmology. 2014;121(2):612-613.e1. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.10.010
  3. Aliyeva A, Sari E. Lateral pretrichial subcutaneous brow lift with upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):30063. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-16196-x
  4. Parsa FD, Parsa AA, Murariu D, Koehler S. “Prevention of acute hematoma after face lifts.” Aesthetic Plast Surg 2010, 34(4):508-9. Epub 2010 Mar 24.