Browlift vs. Blepharoplasty - Which is Best for Sagging Eyelids?

First, I will give you the general definition of both, then I will address the nuance which makes a simple a bit more “grey” than “black and white.” A browlift is specifically used to adjust the position of the brows, usually due to loose skin in the forehead causing the brows to fall over the orbital bone. A blepharoplasty removes the excess skin of the upper (and lower) eyelids. In order to answer your question accurately, the patient would need to be examined to determine the correct surgery, because sometimes, patients might have a sagging forehead which, if lifted, would also improve the sagging of the upper eyelids. The determining factor is to assess if the brows are positioned properly on the orbital bone. The most important key to remember, however, is that a browlift can create a very unnatural expression *if not performed with a sophisticated aesthetic.* The medial area of the brows (where they are closes to your nose) can be, if the brow lift is performed improperly, raised too high, which causes a very strange expression on the patient’s face that resembles a frightened look. The brows in the middle should always sit on the orbital bone, as should the brows on the lateral (side) aspect of the forehead. Some patients may be candidates for both surgeries combined, but they can also be done separately depending on the patient’s anatomy. I recommend consulting in person with a board certified plastic surgeon whose results you admire

The short answer is that both can correct sagging upper lids.
If the brow position is low, it can definitely affect the amount of skin that shows on the upper lids. Typically for men, the brow should sit at the superior orbital rim (brow bone). In women, an aesthetically pleasing brow arches upwards above the orbital rim as you move outwards (lateral brow). When the brow drops below this level, then consider a brow lift.
In terms of excess skin, it all depends on the where we want the final lid crease to be. If the brows are sitting in the correct position, the lid crease should sit anywhere between 5-10 mm above the lashes depending on ethnicity and gender.
Sometimes, I recommend both an upper blepharoplasty and a brow lift at the same time. Other times, just a brow lift or just an upper blepharoplasty. An consultation is usually required to determine what's the best plan of action.

More than any other facial feature, the eyes usually have the most impact on your appearance. Eyelid surgery can bring tired, drooping or puffy eyelids back to life by re-creating youthful contour and long lasting freshness to the eyelids. Upper eyelid surgery addresses the excessive or loose skin which causes a hooded appearance and can obstruct the upper visual field. Brow Lift surgery addresses sagging of the eyebrows, placing them in a more desirable but still natural looking position. When hooding of the upper eyelids is mainly due to sagging of the eyebrow area, then correcting eyebrow height and/or shape provides excellent improvement to the eyes and overall facial appearance. You would need to be assessed by a plastic surgeon to determine which is best for you and in some cases patients may require both an Upper Blepharoplasty and a Brow or Temple Lift.