What is blepharoplasty, the celebrity-loved cosmetic surgery procedure? Paris Hilton, Catherine Zeta

Publish date: 2024-03-08

Stars like Renée Zellweger, Paris Hilton and Catherine Zeta-Jones are rumoured to have had the procedure done on either their upper or bottom eyelids – and in some cases, both – according to plastic surgeons and media reports, although the stars themselves have denied such claims in interviews. The results appear to be subtle yet noticeable.

In the past, the bedroom eyelift was requested mainly by patients in their 40s and older. However, it’s now in demand among younger crowds, which led the procedure to become the second most popular cosmetic surgery in 2020, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

But what is the procedure like exactly, and what can you expect if you hope to get it done yourself?

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What is blepharoplasty?

The bedroom eyelift is a minimally invasive procedure designed to restore vitality and firmness around the eyes.

As we age, our skin loses elasticity. Combined with the inevitable effects of gravity, this can lead to excess skin piling up above and under our eyes. This causes wrinkles and lumps to form within the lower eyelid area and extra folds of skin to hang over the eyelashes and the outer corner of your eyes.

The passing of time added to stress, bad sleeping habits and lifestyle choices can also cause the skin surrounding our eyes to become saggy, opaque and loose. Blepharoplasty tackles all these concerns by getting rid of excess skin and firming the eye-adjacent muscles, which results in decreasing the appearance of under-eye bags, dark circles, wrinkles and puffiness.

What’s the procedure like?

The procedure usually takes up to two hours. Once at the doctor’s office, the patient will go under general anaesthesia or be provided with sedation and numbing agents to prevent pain. At first, the surgeon will make a small incision into the creases of the upper eyelids to extract excess skin, muscle, and in some cases, fat.

They’ll then move on to the lower lid to remove fat and small amounts of skin to tighten the area. Finally, small dissolving stitches are used to suture, which should be gone in around three to six days.

Recovery time is reasonably short when compared to other cosmetic surgeries. Right after the procedure is done, you’ll be under observation for a couple of hours in case any side effects arise, and if all goes well, you’ll be able to go home that same day.

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Benefits and potential risks

As with any surgical technique, blepharoplasty comes with multiple benefits and potential risks. When the procedure is performed correctly, it may reduce the appearance of under-eye bags and puffiness; tighten loose and sagging skin around the eyes; improve the contour of the eyelids, creating a more youthful and refreshed appearance; enhance the overall symmetry and balance of the face; and even improve vision in cases where sagging eyelids obstruct the field of view.

On the other hand, some risks include the common dangers of every surgery, such as bleeding, bruising, infection and blood clots, on top of some procedure-specific complications. You may experience blurry vision, dry eyes, itchiness, inflammation that prevents your eyes from closing, muscle injuries and visible scarring. However, in general terms, the bedroom eyelift is considered a low-risk surgery.