Do you need a blepharoplasty?

What did Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard mean when he wrote, “Do it or don’t do it—you will regret both?” Was he referring to a post-grad degree? Or employment? Perhaps marriage? Sure, maybe. But if you’ve ever sat across from your derm who has just told you that a little snip here and a tiny lift there can make all the difference, you know Kierkegaard was talking about cosmetic surgeries. Or, so I would like to believe.

It’s not a digital detox in the Maldives that has celebrities looking suspiciously refreshed. Neither is it the classic, “Just been drinking more water.” More likely than not, it is blepharoplasty, aka eyelid lift. And they are not alone. As demand for less invasive yet impactful surgeries continues to grow, blepharoplasty, or bleph, has become one of the most sought-after procedures out there.

In simple terms, it is an eyelid surgery wherein an incision is made on top of the eyelid (upper bleph) or under the eyes (lower bleph) to get rid of excess skin, hence making one look less tired, more awake, and yes, younger. While an upper bleph specifically addresses drooping and hooding of the eyes, lower blephs treat under-eye bags and puffiness. A brow lift, on the other hand, works higher up and elevates eyebrows and forehead tissues. When an upper bleph and brow lift are performed together, it’s a Blepharoplasty Brow Lift or BBL.

“There has been a significant rise globally in both inquiries and procedures, particularly for upper and lower blepharoplasty,” says Dr Jaishree Sharad, founder and medical director of The Jaishree Sharad Clinic in Mumbai. She explains how patients in their late 20s and 30s are increasingly seeking lower bleph for genetic under-eye puffiness, while patients in their 40s to 60s go for an upper eyelid correction. “My youngest patient is 23, and the oldest is almost 70,” shares Dr Shilpi Bhadani, founder, director, and chief plastic surgeon at SB Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery Hospital in Gurugram.

Our eyes give everything away, whether we like it or not. It is no surprise then that one of the most common concerns that Dr Om Agarwal hears is this: “Doctor, I’m  not really tired, I just look it, all the time.” For the Mumbai-based plastic reconstruction surgeon and cosmetologist, the answer usually lies in, you guessed it, blepharoplasty.

More than meets the eye

So how do you know if you really need a blepharoplasty? Dr Sharad breaks it down: “If you have droopy or hooded upper eyelids, under-eye bags or puffiness, excess eyelid skin making you look tired, difficulty applying eye makeup due to heavy eyelids, or in some cases, if you experience visual field obstruction because of excess skin.”

While the procedure is by no means exclusive to a gender, the surgical planning might slightly differ. “Female and male eyes and brows have different aesthetic ideals,” explains Dr Sharad. “Men generally prefer a flatter, lower brow and a natural, non-operated look, while women may prefer a slightly more open and arched appearance.” The goal, however, remains the same: To look refreshed, rather than “done”.

Like any surgical procedure, blepharoplasty is generally considered safe when performed by an experienced surgeon, but it isn’t without risks. “One of the complications in blepharoplasty is excessive removal of skin,” says Dr Bhadani. Patients might experience swelling and bruising, dry eyes or irritation, temporary difficulty closing eyes completely, asymmetry, infection or poor healing, or scarring. “Sometimes the heaviness originates from brow descent rather than the eyelids alone, and performing only blepharoplasty may not fully address the concern,” explains Dr Sharad. “Most importantly, opt for an oculoplastic surgeon (an ophthalmologist who specialises in reconstruction and aesthetics of the eyelids) to do this surgery for you.”

As for the cost, it depends on location and surgeon skill, but can typically range between ₹1 to ₹3.5 lacs.

Lead image: Getty Images 

This article originally appeared in Cosmopolitan India's May-June 2026 print issue.

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