23 Apr
What results can you expect from blepharoplasty? 3 case studies and frequently asked questions
Many people who are considering a blepharoplasty may doubt whether it’s worth it or not. Because it’s not just any part of the body. They’re the eye lids, a very delicate and exposed area. What if it changes my look or will I have visible scars? Let me tell you. What results can you expect and some real-world examples from our clinic.
Results offered by blepharoplasty
The 7 benefits of the operation
Blepharoplasty is very, very popular.
It is the facial plastic surgery which is most often done in Spain. In the ranking of all cosmetic procedures (including body and breast augmentation), it is the third most common in women and the number one in men. It is also the third most common worldwide.
If so much effort is being put into it, it’s because the results will be fantastic, right?
Well, the reality is that it is very satisfactory as long as it is performed by a specialized surgeon (beware of intruders…).
It is an operation of eye rejuvenation. Very simple for the patient. Painless, you go home the same day and recovery is quick.
It has 7 major benefits:
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- Corrects excess skin and sagging on the eyelids upper, lower, or both. That which forms over the years and makes us look older.
- Eliminates under-eye bags and a tired appearance. Also that annoying feeling of heaviness that sometimes evenIt gives like a dream.
- It gives a youthful, fresh and cheerful look. The gaze regains breadth, symmetry, and light.Asto go back years or to stop pretending to be an age you are not.
- Improve your vision if it is limited. If there is excess skin or fat on the superior eyelid, it may interfere with your field of vision, so you notice a clear improvement.
- It reduces the need to raise the eyebrow. Some people do it to try to see better or to make their eyes appear more open. Problems that surgery solves.
- The makeup stands out more. If you like to wear makeup, clearing your eyelids will make it much more comfortable and it will look better.
- It boosts confidence and self-esteem. Patients look younger, more attractive, and even healthier. Social interaction improves.
Does the shape of the eyes change or the look?
This is a topic we discuss a lot in the consultation.
I remember one patient. She had a clear indication for blepharoplasty, but she came in very hesitant because of some photos she’d seen online. Sunken, round, tight, asymmetrical, very protruding eyes that wouldn’t close… A disaster.
This happens when you have excessive skin or fat removed from your eyelids. In good hands, it doesn’t happen. People don’t even notice you’ve had surgery. They simply admit that you look great. Younger and more radiant.
Look, I always say the same thing.
Modern cosmetic surgery is not about what you remove or cut out, but about what you leave and how you leave it.
That’s why we follow 3 basic concepts to achieve a good result:
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- Less is more. We remove just the right amount of tissue, respecting the anatomy.Youlook rejuvenatesSafely and naturally. You still look like yourself.
- Facial harmony. First we evaluate the shape, position, and symmetry of the eyelids, as well as the entire periorbital region, to ensure certain proportions.
- 360 Approach. We usually combine complementary techniques to achieve an overall improvement in the area.
Does “non-surgical” blepharoplasty achieve the same results?
Another very common question.
We live in the age of marketing. Many non-invasive treatments are sold as “non-surgical” blepharoplasty. Peels, lasers, fillers, plasma, and others.
Can they improve sagging skin, skin quality, under-eye bags…? Yes, they can. In fact, at Cànons Clinics we have Results of periorbital facial radiofrequency very nice.Patients who have greatly improved their tired and aged appearance without surgery.
Are the effects the same as surgical blepharoplasty? No, of course not. They’re neither that good nor that definitive. If the surgery is indicated, it’s the best way to rejuvenate the eyelids. And with current techniques, the procedure is very comfortable.
Ultimately, it depends on each patient and their needs.
Before and after blepharoplasty: 3 cases in detail
Upper blepharoplasty
I present to you 3 cases that we have had at Cànons Clinics.
The first one 70-year-old patient she had been considering eyelid surgery for some time due to a significant excess of skin. It was affecting her eyelashes, making her eyes barely visible and severely impacting her peripheral vision.
We carry out:
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- Upper blepharoplasty to remove excess skin and oil.
- Manual facial lymphatic drainage the first month to accelerate recovery.
- RF periorbitaria (Endymed iFine) From the 2nd month to correct sagging.
Results after 3 months: a rejuvenated look, improved vision and beautiful eyes that can once again be fully appreciated.
This shows that there is no age limit for this procedure.
Notice how her appearance changes.
From a dull, tired look to a much more jovial and lively.
Lower blepharoplasty
We move from one stage of life to another.
28-year-old patient. Eyelid surgery isn’t generally considered suitable for young people, but there are specific cases where it is indicated. For example, very premature under-eye bags inherited from parents that don’t disappear no matter how much sleep one gets.
That was the situation of this girl.
Since I didn’t have any leftover skin, we made a transconjunctival approach to lower blepharoplasty. That is, from inside the eyelid. This prevents visible external scarring and preserves the orbicularis oculi muscle, which allows the eye to close properly.
We also apply lymphatic drainage and mesotherapy with microneedles: All Eye Therapy de Retix.C. It’s a novel treatment for the eye contour area. A cocktail of active ingredients that corrects dark circles, reduces puffiness, and improves firmness.
Result after 3 months:
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- She no longer has bags. The eye area looks flat with no shadows.
- Rested appearance. She has regained a youthful glow and a bright, alert look.
- Improved skin quality. It looks more uniform, smooth, and luminous.
Observe the before and after:
Not a single trace of scars
Complete blepharoplasty
Look at this case. It’s very common.
45-year-old patient she has moderate excess skin that accumulates under her eyebrows. Combined with slight bags under her eyes, her gaze has an aged, puffy, and tired appearance..
We indicate a complete blepharoplasty treating both the upper and lower eyelids, we remove a very precise amount of tissue (the concept of less is more). Just enough to restore freshness to your skin.appearance while maintaining its essence.
We also did lymphatic drainage the first month to promote healing and periorbital radiofrequency during the second to enhance the results.
3 months after surgery:
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- That inflammation is not noticeable. Nor the bags.
- The gaze appears clearer and more youthful with no changes in expression.
- The periocular area has regained smoothness. The skin looks firmer and smoother.
The patient is now happy.
A key principle in blepharoplasty is naturalness.
No exaggerated corrections that could even compromise eyelid function.
Doubts about the results of blepharoplasty
How long does it take to see the final result?
Blepharoplasty is very rewarding.
Unlike other operations that require waiting a year, here the results are usually appreciated. Final result at 3-6 months. For example, the before and after photos I just showed you. After 3 months, the patients already looked fantastic.
Furthermore, at Cànons Clinics we apply hiloterapia, and controlled cold treatment. It speeds up recovery. It’s an eye mask that you put on right after surgery and then wear at home for at least 3 days.
We always recommend it because it greatly improves swelling and comfort. Our patients now achieve in just one week the same appearance they previously had in two to three weeks without thread therapy. It’s amazing.
It is a system with which you recover and see the final result faster. Even more so with the lymphatic drainage sessions that we also scheduled for the first month.
Post-blepharoplasty thread therapy mask.
Through those channels cold water circulates, maintaining a constant temperature of 15-20ºC.
It’s very pleasant.
Do people notice you’ve had blepharoplasty?
The first weekIt’s normal to have slight bruising and swelling. Minor symptoms compared to thehiloterapiaAnd timely care declines very quickly. PatientsThey conceal the operation and return to work in practically 48 hours..
It depends on what you do for a living, of course. If you work with the public, some people prefer to wait at least seven days.
How many years does the effect of the surgery last?
The effects of blepharoplasty are permanent, but I must clarify:
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- A good result is maintained throughout life, although aging continues. Over the years, you may again develop a little excess skin on your eyelids depending on your genetics, habits, etc. Never so much as if you did have before surgery.
- Bags are very rare back again. It’s fat that we’ve removed and it doesn’t regenerate. You can develop sagging skin, wrinkles, or lose volume under your eyes as part of aging (which is treatable). But bags under your eyes are very rare.
Are there any visible scars? on the eyelids?
Blepharoplasty leaves imperceptible scars.
If they are upper, they are hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid. If they are lower, they are hidden on the inner surface of the eyelid (most commonly) or just below the eyelashes so they go unnoticed.
The first few weeks are definitely more noticeable, as is to be expected. But they’ll get better.fading awayand, following some basic guidelines, They usually disappear within a month.
Look at the previous pictures. You’ll see there are no marks.
What results does blepharoplasty NOT achieve?
A very important point regarding expectations.
If during blepharoplasty we remove skin that, for example, was causing wrinkles, then that’s something we’ve solved.
Now then, this surgery alone does not correct drooping eyebrows, crow’s feet, dark circles under the eyes, or other problems beyond the eyelids. It’s a common misconception among patients.
That’s why other treatments are often combined with it. We primarily use mesotherapy with microneedles and periorbital radiofrequency. Sometimes we use neuromodulators at least 3 months after the operation to lift the outer corner of the eyebrow if it was very droopy.
This way we achieved a much nicer result.
Sometimes we even combine it with other surgical procedures such as cervicofacial lifting for overall rejuvenation.
We evaluate all of this during the diagnostic consultation.
Why don’t you come over? Shall we go to the clinic and take a look? We are located in Barcelona and Granollers. You can book an appointment by calling 683 27 07 09
Or by writing to us on WhatsApp at that same number. Or by filling out the form you can access from the button below.
That way we can answer any questions you have and I can show you more pictures.
Bibliography
If you’d like to investigate further…
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- Naik MN et al. Blepharoplasty: an overview. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009;2(1):6-11. Source.
- Sociedad Española de Cirugía Plástica Reparadora y Estética. Cirugía de los párpados [Internet]. SECPRE [accessed 14 abr 2026]. Source.
- Bater KL et al. A Dual Approach to Understanding Facial Perception Before and After Blepharoplasty. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2018;20(1):43-49. Source.
- Patel BC, Malhotra R. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty [Internet]. StatPearls [updated 24 jul 2023, accessed 14 abr 2026]. Source.
- Rostami S, de la Torre JI, Czyz CN. Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty [Internet]. StatPearls [updated 24 abr 2023, accessed 14 abr 2026]. Source.
- Patel BC, Volner K, Malhotra R. Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty [Internet]. StatPearls [updated 3 abr 2023, accessed 14 abr 2026]. Source.
- Miotti G et al. Modern blepharoplasty: From bench to bedside. World J Clin Cases. 2023;11(8):1719-1729. Source.
- Sociedad Española de Cirugía Plástica Reparadora y Estética. La realidad de la cirugía estética en España [Internet]. SECPRE; 2022 [accessed 14 abr 2026]. Source.
Dr. Víctor Hernàndez Machado.
Medical Director of Cànonns Clinics
Plastic surgeon specializing in facial surgery and body contouring, with experience in the private sector since 2001. I advocate for honest aesthetic surgery and medicine in which results improve, not change. Registered doctor in Barcelona number 30493, member of the SECPRE and general secretary of the Spanish Society of Surgical Medical Lasers (SELMQ).
Currículum. LinkedIn.
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