Lower blepharoplasty vs under-eye fat repositioning
How lower blepharoplasty differs from under-eye fat repositioning — the approach, whether skin is removed, scarring and who each suits.
When looking into under-eye surgery you will often see two terms: lower blepharoplasty and under-eye fat repositioning. Both deal with under-eye fat, but they differ in whether skin is removed and where the surgeon works from.
The differences at a glance
- Approach — blepharoplasty: a skin incision just below the lashes / fat repositioning: from inside the lid (through the conjunctiva)
- Skin — blepharoplasty: loose skin is trimmed as well / fat repositioning: no skin is removed
- External scar — blepharoplasty: below the lashes, tending to fade over time / fat repositioning: no incision on the skin surface
- Who it suits — blepharoplasty: bulging fat together with loose skin and wrinkles / fat repositioning: skin still fairly firm, with bulging and hollowing as the main concern
What they share
Both put weight on moving bulging fat into the hollow to even out the contour.
How to choose
The consultation checks skin laxity and wrinkles, where the bulges and hollows are, and the elasticity of the under-eye skin. If the skin is loose and only fat repositioning is done, the leftover skin can look like wrinkles; if the skin is firm, a skin incision may not be needed. The method is chosen according to the under-eye area.
Frequently asked questions
Which method suits under-eye fat at a young age? If skin elasticity is good, fat repositioning is often considered first.