The growing popularity of blepharoplasty for male patients

While women make up the majority of those who explore plastic surgery, there are an increasing number of men who are seeking cosmetic procedures. In fact, male plastic surgery grew by 8 percent last year, according to the 2023 ASPS Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, with plastic surgeons reporting men sought out procedures such as male breast reduction, liposuction and rhinoplasty.

Yet, one of the most popular procedures for men in 2023 was blepharoplasty. Also known simply as an eye lift or eyelid lift, blepharoplasty procedures are a favorite method for facial rejuvenation, offering patients a more lifted and open eye for a youthful appearance. With the growing popularity of this procedure among men, surgeons are becoming more and more specialized in the methods and techniques that they use to approach male blepharoplasty.

To help us gather more insight into the male patient perspective around blepharoplasty, we reached out to ASPS Member Surgeons Arthur Perry, MD, FACS, and Johnson Lee, MD.

Plastic surgery's rise among men

There are a few reasons why this procedure is popular with men.

"I found that over the past few years, there has definitely been an uptick in men requesting plastic surgery procedures, especially with the combination of both social media and the switch to work-from-home positions where men find themselves spending a lot more time in front of a camera," said Dr. Lee.

While plastic surgery is up for men across the board, facial procedures specifically are growing.

"There has definitely been an increase in interest in facial rejuvenation amongst men," said Dr. Perry. "It is difficult to know exactly why, but there are probably many factors. First, the overall acceptance of cosmetic surgery has spread from women to men and even teenagers. Second, surgery, in general, has become safer and relatively more affordable. Third, procedures for men have become specialized, with different techniques being used in men."

While many male patients may be chasing the same idea of youthful rejuvenation as their female counterparts, they also have other factors that come into play.

"Men lean towards nonsurgical options such as Botox or facial fillers or smaller 'maintenance' type surgeries with less downtime," said Dr. Lee. "Appearing youthful is still the strongest driving factor, but there is also a surge in younger male patients looking for masculinization procedures such as the chin and jawline without necessarily trying to look young."

Male-centric vs female-centric blepharoplasty

It's important to distinguish the male patient from their female counterparts when it comes to blepharoplasty – and all other plastic surgery procedures.

"Conservativism is the key word when dealing with men," said Dr. Perry. "With eyelid lifts, I purposely leave a little skin on the upper lid so that the lid does not become 'feminized.' The goal for women is to be able to crisply apply makeup. Men, for the most part, do not wear makeup and do not want their lids overdone."

Every patient is different, which means every surgery should be catered to each individual, but the differences between men and women and their aesthetic goals in general give plastic surgeons more to consider with blepharoplasty planning.

"When it comes to designing a treatment plan for the eyelid and surrounding structures for a man, I prioritize keeping a masculine and natural appearance," said Dr. Lee.

Getting the most from your blepharoplasty results

As with any plastic surgery procedure, there are certain steps that you can take to make the most of your recovery and achieve your desired results.

When thinking about taking the plunge on a blepharoplasty, it's important to make sure that your selected plastic surgeon is both experienced and qualified to perform this procedure.

"I can't stress enough the importance of finding a well-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon to do your procedure," said Dr. Perry. "There are so many different variations of blepharoplasties – and all cosmetic surgery – that the exact technique used is less important than finding a competent plastic surgeon who will perform the 'right procedure' for you."

The first step should always be to book a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is an ASPS member to find out if an eyelid lift is the right procedure for you.

When meeting with your plastic surgeon to discuss an upcoming procedure, it's important to bring in visual references that show the results that you are after.

"I recommend male patients bring in younger photos of themselves and photos of other men whose eyes they would like to have to better understand what they are looking for, so the surgeon can understand if the patient has realistic expectations to begin with," said Dr. Lee.

Along with bringing in examples of your desired results, it's also critical to ask for references as well as before and after photos from your potential surgeons.

"The surgeon should show you photos of other patients," said Dr. Perry. "It would be suspicious that experience is lacking if no photos are available."

Following any procedure, it's easy to jump straight into the trap of hoping for immediate results. With blepharoplasty, make sure that you keep in mind that there is a recovery period following the procedure before you'll see results.

"Most importantly, patients should understand that there is always a healing phase for all surgeries," said Dr. Lee. "There will be a period of three to six months where their eyelids may still appear swollen, but they should not worry. Their eyelids will look more and more natural with time."

Restoring that youthful look in your eyes

In the world of facial rejuvenation among men, blepharoplasty currently reigns supreme as the top facial plastic surgery procedure for men in 2023. A fantastic method for achieving a more youthful appearance, a blepharoplasty can help to lift and open the eyes, countering the signs of aging and leading to a more contoured, taut appearance.

With such a boom in popularity among male patients, plastic surgeons are now becoming more specialized in the tools and techniques that they use to better tailor blepharoplasties for men.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.