Lower Eyelid Lift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Chesterfield Valley, O'Fallon and Chesterfield, MO

A lower eyelid lift, also known as a lower blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that aims to rejuvenate the appearance of the eyes. (1) This procedure eliminates excess skin, repositions or redistributes fat pads, and in some cases, tightens underlying muscles to restore a more youthful-looking appearance. Blepharoplasty has consistently been one of the most common procedures in the country, with surgeons performing more than 120,755 procedures in 2024 alone. (2)

If you have started to notice sagging or puffiness beneath your eyes, Dr. Robert T. Cristel can help! Dr. Cristel is a double board-certified surgeon at Synergi Facial Surgery who specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as head and neck surgery. He has helped thousands of patients from St. Louis and beyond enhance their appearance, establishing a strong reputation for providing transformative yet natural-looking results.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cristel, we invite you to submit our online consultation form. If you have any questions or would prefer scheduling a consultation over the phone, please call any of our offices in the greater St. Louis area at (314) 523-5738.

About Lower Eyelid Lifts

As we age, the under-eye region is often one of the first places to show visible signs of aging. This is because the tissue in this area is very delicate—the eyelids actually have the thinnest skin on the body. (3) This makes it easier for deep wrinkles, skin laxity, puffy under-eye bags, and muscle weakness to develop and become prominent. With a lower eyelid lift, Dr. Cristel can address each of these changes and more, restoring a refreshed and well-rested appearance beneath the eyes.

Benefits

There are several benefits of receiving a lower eyelid lift, including:

  • Enhanced Aesthetics: Eliminating excess skin and fat from the under-eye area can improve facial definition and proportions, restoring a more youthful-looking appearance.
  • Long-Lasting Results: Dr. Cristel’s expertise allows for stable results that provide you with natural-looking enhancements for years to come.
  • Smoother-Looking Skin: Dr. Cristel will eliminate excess skin from beneath your eyes, resulting in a tighter look and diminished wrinkles.
  • Reduced Puffiness: A lower eyelid lift can remove or reposition bulging fat pads in the under-eye area.
  • Elevated Self-Esteem: Many patients report an improvement in their self-esteem after seeing the results of their procedure.

Candidates

Candidates for a lower eyelid lift are typically those who are interested in addressing visible signs of aging around the under-eye area that do not improve with rest. All patients should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding their results. Patients with active infections or damage in the area may need to delay their appointment until they are healed. Patients should be nonsmokers or willing to quit smoking for an extended period of time; any nicotine use can have adverse effects on the treatment and healing processes.

Dr. Cristel will determine each individual’s eligibility for a lower eyelid lift during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Because Dr. Cristel designs each treatment plan around your unique anatomy and concerns, you will need to attend a personal consultation before scheduling a lower eyelid lift. At this consultation, you will meet with Dr. Cristel one-on-one to learn more about what a lower eyelid lift entails. He will discuss the different surgical techniques available, as well as ask you about your medical history, concerns, and ideal appearance.

With this information, alongside a physical examination of the eyelids, Dr. Cristel will determine whether a lower eyelid lift is appropriate for you. If it is, he will begin to outline your very own personal treatment plan. He will include the optimal techniques for addressing your concerns, as well as any additional treatment recommendations that could enhance your results.

To schedule your consultation and receive your tailored treatment plan, please submit our online contact form or call (314) 523-5738.

We offer consultations at the following locations:

  • Chesterfield Valley, MO
  • O’Fallon, MO
  • Chesterfield, MO

Preparation

Dr. Cristel will provide preparation instructions according to the details of your treatment plan. It is important that you follow all instructions to facilitate a successful procedure and smooth recovery. These might include:

  • Arrange time away from your job.
  • Coordinate transportation home after the procedure.
  • Discontinue certain medications/supplements with blood-thinning properties.
  • If applicable, fully cease nicotine several weeks before treatment and throughout your recovery.
  • Fill prescriptions ahead of time.

Procedure

Dr. Cristel will begin your procedure by cleansing your skin and making any necessary guiding markings. You will then receive either general anesthesia to ensure a comfortable procedure.

Dr. Cristel will place incisions in predetermined locations. He may perform lower blepharoplasty using one of the two primary techniques, depending on your goals and facial anatomy:

  • Transconjunctival: This approach consists of an incision within the lower eyelid itself, leaving no external scarring. (4) Dr. Cristel primarily performs transconjunctival blepharoplasty if the primary concern is bulging fat pads rather than excess skin.
  • Transcutaneous (Subciliary): The subciliary approach works through a discreet incision just below the lash line. This technique is optimal for removing excess tissue. (1)

Recovery

During your initial recovery, you can expect swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the treated areas. These effects will gradually subside on their own, but you can also manage them by resting with your head elevated, using prescribed medications as directed, and following aftercare instructions. Most patients return to work and other light activities after about two weeks, but you will need to continue refraining from high-impact or physical activities until Dr. Cristel approves. You will return to the office for follow-up visits so that Dr. Cristel can monitor your healing progress.

Results

After your recovery, you will be able to enjoy the full results of your lower eyelid lift. You will notice smoother, tighter skin and a reduction in under-eye bags, resulting in an overall more youthful and well-rested appearance. The results of a lower eyelid lift are long-lasting, with many patients experiencing results that last for years. Dr. Cristel’s techniques ensure long-term stability and graceful aging.

Corresponding Procedures

There are several procedures that Dr. Cristel can perform in conjunction with a lower eyelid lift to provide more comprehensive results, including:

Upper Eyelid Lift

If a patient has concerns relating to the upper eyelids as well as the lower eyelids, they may want to include an upper eyelid lift as part of their procedure. When these procedures are performed at the same time, this is often referred to as a quad blepharoplasty.

Brow Lift

Some patients may notice that their brows have descended over time or become heavy-looking, with deep forehead creases that cannot be addressed with creams or injectables. For patients with forehead laxity, a brow lift can bring the brows into a more youthful position, creating a smoother look. In some cases, this procedure may offer a subtle lift above the eyes.

To learn more about the other procedures that you can pair with your lower eyelid lift, we invite you to read our blog!

Cost of a Lower Eyelid Lift in St. Louis, MO

The cost of lower eyelid lifts can vary, as Dr. Cristel designs each treatment plan around your specific concerns, goals, and facial structure. When determining the price of your treatment, he will consider the surgical techniques used, the extent of corrections, whether or not any additional procedures are included, and more. After establishing your treatment plan, Dr. Cristel will provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate for your procedure.

Schedule a consultation online today to learn more about the costs associated with a lower eyelid lift, or give us a call at (314) 523-5738.

FAQ

Is there an ideal age to get a lower eyelid lift?

While there is no specific age requirement to receive a lower eyelid lift, the majority of the patients who undergo this procedure are over the age of 40, as this is often when signs of aging around the eyes become more visible.(2)

How long does it take to perform a lower eyelid lift?

The exact duration of the procedure will vary depending on your concerns, but it typically takes one to two hours for Dr. Cristel to perform.

Is a lower eyelid lift painful?

We administer anesthesia at the beginning of your procedure for your comfort. However, it is normal to experience some discomfort throughout your recovery.

Are there any risks associated with a lower eyelid lift?

As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks associated with a lower eyelid lift. During your consultation, Dr. Cristel will discuss each risk and how it may be avoided. Choosing a qualified, double board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Cristel will help minimize these risks.

References

  1. Rebowe RE, Runyan C. Blepharoplasty. Nih.gov. Published July 24, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482381/#article-18372.s4
  2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2024 Plastic Surgery Statistics. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Published June 2025. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
  3. Cochran ML, Lopez MJ, Czyz CN. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Eyelid. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482304/
  4. Bhattacharjee K, Ghosh S, Ugradar S, Azhdam AM. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty: An overview. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020;68(10):2075-2083. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/ijo.IJO_2265_19