Surgical · 6 min read
Blepharoplasty: Refreshing Tired Eyes
By Dr Hassan Soueid · MD, FRCS · Lead Surgeon, Kensington Cosmetic Clinic
Published 21 June 2026
TL;DR. Blepharoplasty removes excess upper-eyelid skin and reduces lower-lid puffiness, so the eyes look rested rather than heavy. It is one of the most reliable, natural-looking facial operations, but it treats the lids, not dark circles or brow position.
Upper vs lower
Upper blepharoplasty removes the fold of excess skin that can hood the eye and, in some cases, sit in the field of vision. Lower blepharoplasty addresses eye bags and puffiness, repositioning or reducing fat for a smoother contour.
What it does not fix
- Dark circles from pigment or thin skin, these need different treatment.
- A heavy brow, which is a brow problem, not an eyelid one.
- Fine crow's feet, better addressed with resurfacing or Botox.
Recovery
Bruising and swelling settle over one to two weeks, with fine sutures removed early. Scars sit in the natural lid crease and become very hard to see.
Our approach
The aim is a refreshed, natural look, never a hollow or operated one. We remove what is needed and no more, and if your real concern is the brow or skin quality, we plan for that instead.
Frequently asked
Questions we get asked about EnerPeel®
- Will eyelid surgery look natural?
- Yes, when conservative. We remove only what is needed so the eyes look rested rather than hollow or surprised.
- Does blepharoplasty treat dark circles?
- Not directly. Dark circles from pigment or thin skin need other treatments, which we assess separately.
- How long is recovery?
- Most bruising and swelling settle within one to two weeks, with scars hidden in the natural lid crease.