Blepharoplasty is advanced eyelid surgery designed to rejuvenate the eye area by removing or repositioning excess skin, fat, and tissue around the eyes. The goal is to create a fresher, brighter, and more youthful appearance while maintaining natural facial expression and eyelid function.

Upper blepharoplasty is commonly performed for patients with heavy or hooded upper eyelids, excess upper eyelid skin, or eyelids that create a tired or aged appearance. Lower blepharoplasty addresses under-eye bags, loose lower eyelid skin, puffiness, and shadowing beneath the eyes.

Blepharoplasty surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, depending on the patient’s anatomy and aesthetic goals. Many patients seek eyelid surgery to achieve a more rested appearance, improve eyelid definition, and restore a fresher look to the eyes without changing their natural facial character.

At Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic,  suitability for blepharoplasty is carefully assessed during your consultation. Dr Gino Vissers evaluates the eyelid anatomy, skin quality, fat distribution, muscle tone, and brow position before recommending the most appropriate treatment plan. Whether you are considering upper eyelid surgery in London, lower blepharoplasty on Harley Street, or a comprehensive eyelid rejuvenation procedure, every treatment plan is tailored to achieve natural-looking, elegant, and balanced results.

Blepharoplasty surgery at Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic typically takes between one and two hours, depending on whether the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both are being treated. The exact duration also depends on the complexity of the procedure and whether additional eyelid or brow rejuvenation techniques are being performed at the same time.

Upper blepharoplasty is often slightly shorter than combined upper and lower eyelid surgery. Procedures are carefully tailored to each patient to achieve natural-looking, balanced, and refreshed results.

Eyelid surgery is usually performed as a day-case procedure, meaning patients return home the same day. Depending on your individual treatment plan and preferences, blepharoplasty may be carried out under local anaesthetic, with sedation or under general anaesthetic. The most appropriate anaesthetic option will be discussed in detail during your consultation and pre-operative assessment with Dr Gino Vissers.

Patients choosing blepharoplasty in London commonly appreciate the relatively short procedure time, minimal downtime compared with more extensive facial surgery, and the significant improvement it can achieve in tired, heavy, or hooded eyes.

Blepharoplasty surgery is performed under local anaesthetic, with sedation or general anaesthetic, meaning patients do not feel pain during the procedure itself. At Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic, patient comfort and safety are prioritised throughout every stage of eyelid surgery.

Following upper or lower blepharoplasty, it is normal to experience some swelling, bruising, tightness, and mild discomfort around the eyes during the early recovery period. Most patients describe the recovery as far more comfortable than expected, with post-operative discomfort typically well controlled using simple prescribed pain relief.

During the first week after eyelid surgery, the eyelids may feel tight, dry, watery, or slightly sensitive as healing progresses. Temporary blurred vision from ointment use and mild irritation can also occur in the initial recovery phase. Cold compresses, head elevation, and following the post-operative aftercare instructions carefully can help reduce swelling and improve comfort.

Many patients considering blepharoplasty in London are reassured to learn that eyelid surgery is generally associated with minimal pain and a relatively straightforward recovery compared with more extensive facial cosmetic surgery procedures. The majority of patients return to light daily activities within one to two weeks, depending on the extent of treatment.

Blepharoplasty surgery delivers long-lasting and often transformative results for patients seeking a more refreshed, youthful, and rested appearance around the eyes. At Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic, upper and lower eyelid surgery is carefully tailored to achieve natural-looking results that age elegantly over time.

In upper blepharoplasty, the excess eyelid skin that is removed does not return. In lower blepharoplasty, under-eye fat is either repositioned or removed to create a smoother and more youthful contour beneath the eyes. While the natural ageing process continues after surgery, patients start from a significantly more rejuvenated baseline.

Most patients enjoy the results of eyelid surgery for many years, with outcomes commonly lasting ten years or longer before any additional treatment may be considered. In some patients, upper blepharoplasty results can remain noticeable for well over a decade.

The longevity of blepharoplasty results depends on several factors, including skin quality, genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and overall lifestyle. Protecting the delicate eye area with daily sun protection, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and following a good skincare routine can all help preserve the results for as long as possible.

Many patients choosing blepharoplasty in London value the procedure because it offers long-term improvement in heavy upper eyelids, hooded eyes, and under-eye bags while maintaining a natural and refreshed appearance rather than an operated look.

Blepharoplasty surgery does not negatively affect vision. In fact, in many patients, upper blepharoplasty can improve the field of vision when excess upper eyelid skin begins to droop and obstruct the upper or peripheral line of sight.

At Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic, upper eyelid surgery is carefully planned to remove only the appropriate amount of skin and, where necessary, reposition tissue to restore a more open, refreshed eye appearance while preserving natural eyelid function. The procedure does not involve surgery on the eyeball itself. For patients with significant hooding of the upper eyelids, blepharoplasty can therefore be both a cosmetic and functional procedure.

During the early recovery period, it is common to experience temporary symptoms such as dry eyes, watering, mild irritation, or increased sensitivity to light. These effects are usually short-lived and improve as the eyelids heal over the first one to two weeks.

Many patients seeking blepharoplasty in London are reassured to learn that the procedure is designed to enhance, not impair, eye function, while also delivering a brighter, more rested and youthful appearance.

Upper eyelid surgery will not help with dark under-eye circles. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery can improve the appearance of dark circles in selected patients, particularly when they are caused or accentuated by under-eye bags or puffiness. 

At Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic, lower blepharoplasty is often used to create a smoother, more refreshed under-eye contour by reducing shadowing beneath the eyes.

When under-eye fat bulges or “eye bags” are present, they can cast a shadow that makes the area appear darker and more tired. By removing or repositioning this fat during lower eyelid surgery, the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek becomes smoother, often significantly reducing the appearance of dark circles.

However, not all dark circles are caused by eyelid anatomy. In many patients, dark under-eye pigmentation, thin skin, or visible blood vessels are the primary contributors. In these cases, blepharoplasty alone will not fully correct the concern, and alternative or additional treatments such as skin resurfacing, laser treatment, or medical-grade skincare may be more appropriate.

A detailed assessment of the under-eye area is essential.

During your consultation, Dr Gino Vissers evaluates whether the dark circles are structural (related to fat pads and tear trough hollowing) or skin-related, and will recommend a tailored treatment plan to achieve the most natural and effective result.

For patients considering blepharoplasty in London, understanding the underlying cause of dark circles is key to achieving a refreshed, natural-looking outcome rather than a temporary or incomplete improvement.

Yes. Blepharoplasty surgery is very commonly combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures to achieve a more comprehensive and balanced result. At Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic, combined approaches are often used to address multiple aspects of facial ageing in a single surgical plan.

One of the most frequent combinations is blepharoplasty with a brow lift. This is particularly beneficial when both upper eyelid heaviness and brow descent contribute to a tired or hooded appearance. Treating both areas together allows for a more natural, open, and harmonious rejuvenation of the upper face.

Blepharoplasty can also be combined with other facial procedures such as a facelift, neck lift or lip lift, depending on the patient’s anatomy and aesthetic goals. In selected cases, additional treatments may be performed at the same time to enhance facial balance and overall rejuvenation.

Combining procedures offers several advantages, including a single anaesthetic, one recovery period, and a more efficient overall treatment journey. This approach is carefully planned to ensure safety, proportion, and natural-looking results.

During your consultation, Dr Gino Vissers will assess your facial anatomy in detail and advise whether a combined surgical approach is appropriate. Treatment plans are always individualised to achieve subtle, elegant facial rejuvenation while maintaining your natural expression and identity.

Non-surgical treatments for eyelid rejuvenation can offer improvement in early or mild signs of ageing around the eyes, but they do not replicate the structural results of blepharoplasty surgery.

At Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic, options such as laser skin resurfacing and radiofrequency skin tightening may be used to improve fine skin quality, texture, and mild laxity around the upper and lower eyelids. 

These treatments can be particularly useful as adjuncts to surgery or for patients with early changes who are not yet ready for an operation. However, non-surgical treatments cannot remove excess eyelid skin, correct significant hooding, or reposition or remove under-eye fat responsible for eye bags. For these anatomical concerns, blepharoplasty remains the most effective and reliable treatment, offering more predictable and longer-lasting results.

In patients with moderate to significant eyelid skin excess or prominent under-eye bags, eyelid surgery is therefore usually the preferred option. It allows precise correction of the underlying structural causes of heaviness around the eyes, rather than temporary surface improvement.

During your consultation, Dr Gino Vissers will assess your eyelid anatomy in detail and discuss both surgical and non-surgical treatment options where appropriate. This ensures a tailored approach, combining treatments when beneficial to achieve natural, refreshed, and long-lasting eyelid rejuvenation.

After blepharoplasty surgery,  patients can  return to wearing eye makeup 2 days after the sutures have been removed. This is typically 7 to 10 days following the operation. 

At Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic, patients are given clear, personalised aftercare instructions following upper or lower blepharoplasty to ensure optimal healing and the best possible aesthetic outcome. The exact timing for resuming makeup may vary slightly depending on individual healing and the extent of surgery performed. Dr Gino Vissers  will confirm when it is safe to restart eye makeup during your post-operative review.

It is important to avoid applying makeup directly over fresh incision lines until the skin has fully closed, as this helps reduce the risk of irritation and supports proper scar healing. 

Many patients undergoing blepharoplasty in London find that within a short period they are able to return to their normal routine, with makeup enhancing their refreshed and rejuvenated appearance as healing progresses.

Blepharoplasty surgery is designed to rejuvenate the eye area while preserving natural facial expression. It removes excess upper eyelid skin and, where appropriate, repositions or removes fat, but it does not alter the underlying muscle function or the way your eyes move when you smile.

At Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic, blepharoplasty is performed with a strong emphasis on maintaining natural expression and harmony. Dr Gino Vissers' signature preservation blepharoplasty helps with preserving a natural smile. The aim is for your eyes to look refreshed and more youthful, while still moving and expressing exactly as they did before surgery.

When performed carefully, blepharoplasty should not create a “tight” or artificial appearance when smiling. Instead, the result should be subtle and natural: your own eyes, simply without the heaviness, hooding, or under-eye bags that were contributing to a tired or aged look.

A well-executed eyelid surgery in London preserves the unique character of your eyes and facial expressions while improving definition and restoring a more open, rested appearance both at rest and in motion.

The transconjunctival approach is a specialised technique used in lower blepharoplasty surgery to treat under-eye bags by accessing the lower eyelid from the inside. Instead of making an external incision below the lash line, the incision is made on the inner surface of the eyelid (the conjunctiva), meaning there is no visible external scar.

At Dr Gino Vissers’ Harley Street clinic, the transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty technique is the golden standard for patients whose main concern is under-eye fat prolapse (commonly known as eye bags).

Through this internal approach, the underlying fat pads can be carefully repositioned or reduced to smooth the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek, improving under-eye contours while maintaining a natural appearance.

Because no skin incision is required, the transconjunctival approach avoids a visible external scar and is particularly well suited to patients with good skin quality and minimal lower eyelid looseness.

The first  advantages of this technique is that no skin incision is required and a visible external scar is avoided. The second advantage is that this technique has much less risk of eyelid malpositioning (ectropion) compared to a traditional external (subciliary) blepharoplasty.

During your consultation, Dr Gino Vissers will carefully assess your eyelid anatomy, skin quality, and facial structure to determine whether a transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty or an external approach is most appropriate for achieving a smooth, natural, and long-lasting result.