Brow Lift vs Blepharoplasty: Dr. Daniel Gould Featured in Marie Claire

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Gould, MD, PhD was featured in Marie Claire discussing the difference between brow lift surgery and upper blepharoplasty, two procedures that address heaviness around the eyes.

Many patients assume that drooping or hooded eyelids require an upper blepharoplasty, which removes excess eyelid skin. However, Dr. Gould explains that the underlying cause is often brow descent, where the brow gradually lowers with age and compresses the upper eyelid space.

“Many patients assume that heaviness on the upper eyelids means they need a blepharoplasty, when in fact the issue may originate from brow descent.”

In the Marie Claire feature, the author shares her personal experience consulting with Dr. Gould after noticing increasing hooding around the eyes. After evaluating her facial anatomy, Dr. Gould recommended a temporal brow lift, a procedure that lifts the outer portion of the brow to restore balance around the upper face.

Dr. Gould notes that many patients who initially request eyelid surgery may actually benefit from brow repositioning instead, as the brow and eyelid function as a connected anatomical unit.

What Is a Brow Lift?

A brow lift is a surgical procedure designed to raise and reposition the brows, improving the appearance of heaviness or sagging in the upper face. Depending on the patient’s anatomy and goals, several techniques may be used, including:

• Temporal (lateral) brow lift, focusing on lifting the outer brow
• Endoscopic brow lift, using small incisions and a camera-assisted technique
• Coronal brow lift, involving a longer incision across the scalp for more extensive lifting
• Pretrichial brow lift, performed along the hairline

By repositioning the brow to a more youthful height, a brow lift can help:

• Reduce upper eyelid hooding
• Improve eye openness and brightness
• Restore balance to the upper face
• Reduce tension in the forehead muscles

In some cases, surgeons may combine a brow lift with upper blepharoplasty to address both brow position and eyelid skin when appropriate.

Early Intervention in Facial Aging

Dr. Gould also discusses the increasing number of patients seeking subtle surgical improvements earlier in life.

Advances in surgical techniques now allow for more precise, less invasive procedures with natural-looking results, making it possible to address early brow descent while maintaining a patient’s natural appearance.