Eyelid Repair Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in Maryland
The cure for drooping lids is simple, comfortable, and gives a beautiful final result!
Why Are My Eyelids Sagging?
It may not seem like it on the surface, but your eyes actually work harder than almost any feature on your face, and the skin surrounding them is very thin. That delicate tissue depends on collagen and elastin to stay taut and youthful, but both of these key proteins begin to taper off as you get older. Sun exposure, genetics and ordinary facial movement speed the process along.
For many, the problem begins as a faint heaviness that slowly morphs into a permanent tired look: drooping upper folds and puffy pockets or bags beneath the lower lids that respond less readily to the usual tricks (concealer, more sleep, etc.) as time goes on. For some people, the change is purely an aesthetic concern. For others, that extra skin starts to crowd the lashes and shade the upper edge of their sight. Whichever group you fall into, the solution is a safe and effective surgical procedure known as blepharoplasty.
What Is Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)?
Blepharoplasty is the medical term for eyelid surgery, a procedure that removes or repositions the loose skin, muscle and fat that gather around the eyes. The purpose of this procedure is twofold: a brighter, better-rested appearance and, when drooping skin has begun to impede your sightline, a clearer field of vision. It remains one of the most-requested facial procedures in the country, with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reporting more than 118,000 eyelid surgeries in 2025, which was a 19% increase from the previous year.
Cosmetic surgeons perform eyelid surgery to correct drooping of the eyelids (upper and lower) caused by aging or by other conditions. Collagen acts as a support structure to skin and it is this tissue, which thins with age. Cosmetic surgery removes excess tissue to correct this condition. Laser treatments also work with cosmetic surgery to thicken collagen, remove superficial wrinkles and enhance healing of surgical incisions.
Upper vs Lower Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery tackles the hooding that tends to form along the lash line, the fold that can make you look perpetually sleepy and, in more advanced cases, narrow what you can see. Lower eyelid surgery addresses the puffiness and under-eye bags caused by fat that shifts forward over time. Plenty of patients choose to treat both areas together, though we will map the right plan to your face during a consultation.
Where does Profile MD stand apart from other options for blepharoplasty patients? For one, your result does not stop at the incision. Because this is both a surgical and a laser center, the same collagen-building laser technology used to speed healing can also refine the surrounding skin afterward, all under one roof in Severna Park.
The Benefits of Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery is a highly effective procedure that can dramatically improve your appearance and, in many cases, your quality of life. By addressing drooping upper lids and puffy under-eye bags, blepharoplasty offers significant cosmetic and functional advantages.
Cosmetic Benefits
- A More Youthful & Rested Appearance: This is the most common goal. The procedure smooths the skin around the eyes, removing excess folds and puffy “bags” to reveal a more alert, refreshed, and naturally youthful look.
- Restored Eyelid Contour: Surgery can restore a more defined, natural crease to the upper eyelid, which often disappears with age.
- Easier Makeup Application: With a smoother, more visible eyelid, many patients report that applying eyeshadow and eyeliner is no longer a frustrating task.
Functional Benefits
- Improved Field of Vision: For many patients, the primary motivation is functional. Heavy, drooping upper eyelid skin can hang over the lashes and obstruct peripheral or even central vision. Blepharoplasty physically lifts this “hooding,” restoring a clear, unobstructed field of vision.
- Reduced Skin Irritation: The excess folds of skin on an upper eyelid can sometimes rub together, causing chafing, rashes, and discomfort. Removing this skin resolves the issue.
Am I A Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
Good candidates tend to be adults in generally good health who feel their eyes no longer reflect how they feel on the inside. Nonsmokers usually heal more comfortably, and if you have an eye condition such as dry eye or glaucoma, mention it early so we can plan around it. The surest way to get a clear answer on your candidacy for blepharoplasty is a face-to-face evaluation. Dr. Mallalieu will assess your skin quality, the position of your brow and the fat beneath your eyes, then walk you through what surgery can realistically do for you in plain terms.
Does Insurance cover Eyelid Repair Surgery?
Sometimes insurance companies recognize this as a medical condition to be corrected if it interferes with visual activities. When drooping upper lids block part of your vision, for example, blepharoplasty crosses from cosmetic into medical territory, which is what opens the door to possible coverage.
Insurers generally want documentation in these cases, such as a visual field test that shows the obstruction, photographs and notes from your physician. Our team can help you gather that paperwork and work with your provider to find out where you stand before you commit to anything. Purely cosmetic eyelid surgery is paid out of pocket, and we offer financing options to keep it within reach.
Can I Combine Blepharoplasty With Other Procedures?
Yes. In fact, eyelid surgery rarely works in isolation. Because the eyes sit inside the broader landscape of the face, many patients pair blepharoplasty with complementary treatments for a result that looks balanced and not piecemeal. At Profile MD, you can build that plan under one roof, with providers who already know your history and your goals. Popular pairings include:
- Botox to soften crow’s feet and lift a heavy brow
- Dermal fillers to smooth hollow tear troughs beneath the lower lids
- Halo and BBL laser treatments to even out tone and texture across the eye area
- A facelift or neck rejuvenation for patients ready to refresh the whole lower face
Combining treatments often means one recovery window instead of several, plus the convenience of a single trusted team overseeing everything. The idea is to build a complete treatment profile rather than chasing one feature at a time, which allows your surgeon to sequence each step in the order that makes sense for your skin and your schedule.
How Long Will My Blepharoplasty Results Last?
For most patients, upper eyelid surgery delivers results that hold for a decade or longer, and lower eyelid work tends to last even longer still, because once those fat pockets are removed, they rarely return the same way. Still, your eyelids will not be immune to the effects of aging after the procedure. Gravity, sun exposure and the gradual slowdown of collagen production all continue after surgery, so the skin will soften again over the years.
You can extend the lifespan of your results with a few habits your Profile MD team will walk you through. Daily sunscreen and a good pair of sunglasses shield that thin eyelid skin from the UV rays that break collagen down fastest. Staying consistent with light maintenance (a little Botox here, a laser resurfacing session there) keeps the surrounding skin firm and protects the work you already invested in. Patients who stay connected with the same practice often age more gracefully, for the simple reason that their providers know their face and can adjust the plan as the years pass.
blepharoplasty before and after photos
blepharoplasty faq
Cosmetic surgeons perform eyelid surgery to correct drooping of the eyelids (upper and lower) caused by aging or by other conditions. Collagen acts as a support structure to skin and it is this tissue, which thins with age.
Cosmetic surgery removes excess tissue to correct this condition. Laser treatments also work with cosmetic surgery to thicken collagen and to enhance healing of surgical incisions.
There are two broad types of eyelid surgery. The upper lid surgery removes the excess skin and fat using an incision placed in the patients natural eye crease. This results in virtually no visible scar. The procedure can be done under local anesthesia and takes approximately 1 hour to complete. The lower lid procedure involves removing the fat pocket. Typically this procedure is performed using light sedation and take about 1.5 hours to perform.
Incision lines on the upper eyelid hide nicely in the natural eyelid. Lower lids have hidden incision lines because they are made behind the lower eyelid. The good thing is that all incision lines are treated with laser treatment post operatively. Laser scar removal treatments flattens scars and removes post surgical redness. It’s a win-win situation.
Options for non-surgical lift include our IntraCel and ThermiSmooth devices. These non-invasive procedures work by heating the skin and inducing new collagen formation. There is little to no downtime with these procedures and they require no anesthesia.
As we age skin looses collagen and elastin. The skin of the eyelids is no different. In many patients this can result in lose skin developing around the eyes. The skin will often create a fold in the upper eyelids and can extend down to touch the lashes. Occasionally it can even obstruct vision. Anyone with laxity can be evaluated for treatment.
The lower lids typically present with a “bag”. This represents a fat pocket which develops with age.
Surgery takes between one to two hours depending on how much needs to be corrected. We have several strategies to keep you comfortable during that time. You can have full anesthesia or we have options involving medication and local blocks.
Recovery for either eyelid procedure is fairly quick and is usually about one week. Any discomfort you encounter is easily controlled with Ibuprofen or prescription pain pills if necessary. Sutures are removed within 5-6 days and most patients return to work after 1 week. Post-operatively patients will use ice and elevate their head.
Most patients are surprised by how manageable the discomfort is. The surgery itself is done under local anesthesia or light sedation, so you feel nothing during the procedure. Afterward, expect some tightness, mild swelling and bruising rather than sharp pain, which over-the-counter ibuprofen handles for most people. Cold compresses in the first few days go a long way toward keeping you comfortable.
There is no single right age. Most patients land somewhere between their late 30s and their 60s, when collagen loss starts to show around the eyes, though younger patients with hereditary under-eye bags sometimes come in earlier. What matters more than the number on your license is the condition of your skin and how much the drooping bothers you on a daily basis.
Meet Your Cosmetic Surgeon
Eyelid surgery is delicate work, making the hands that perform it that much more important. At Profile MD, your blepharoplasty is handled by Dr. Jared Mallalieu, a board-certified general surgeon who completed a five-year surgical residency at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore followed by a cosmetic surgery fellowship with the Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgical Group. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and is well known for his results. Just as meaningful to the patients who see him, Dr. Mallalieu treats everyone who walks through the door like a neighbor.
Schedule Your Blepharoplasty Consultation in Severna Park
Tired eyes should not make you look older than you feel. If heavy lids or under-eye bags have been wearing on you, the team at Profile MD would love to meet you and talk it through. Book a free consultation with Dr. Mallalieu to find out whether eyelid surgery fits your goals, and how it might work alongside the other treatments that keep you looking like yourself. Call 410-544-4600 or reach out online today, and see why patients across Severna Park and greater Baltimore trust Profile MD with their care.
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FREE CONSULTATION
With years of medical experience our doctors, Dr. Jared Mallalieu and Dr. Ross VanAntwerp, specialize in bringing out the best in people through our unique laser and cosmetic procedures. Get in touch with us for your free, no-obligation consultation.