Upper blepharoplasty removes sagging skin from the eyelid itself, but it does not treat crow's feet, the fine lines that fan out from the outer corners of the eyes. According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, blepharoplasty cannot alter fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. In this blog, Dr. Flora Levin, a board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon in Westport, CT, explains what upper blepharoplasty can and cannot do, what actually causes crow's feet, and how the two concerns are often addressed together for a fully refreshed eye area.
What Is Upper Blepharoplasty, and What Does It Actually Treat?
Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and sometimes fat from the upper eyelid. Dr. Levin places the incision in the natural eyelid crease, so the resulting scar is well hidden once healed.
The procedure is designed to correct a specific set of concerns:
- Hooded or heavy-looking upper eyelids caused by excess skin
- A crease that has become obscured, making it hard to apply eye makeup
- Skin that rests on the eyelashes or interferes with the field of vision
Because the surgery works on the eyelid platform itself, it does not reach the skin just outside the eye where crow's feet form. The two areas are anatomically distinct, even though they sit close together.
What Causes Crow's Feet?
Crow's feet are dynamic wrinkles caused mainly by repeated contraction of the orbicularis oculi, the muscle that circles the eye every time you smile, squint, or laugh. Cleveland Clinic notes that repeated facial expressions, combined with a gradual loss of skin elasticity, are the primary drivers of this type of line.
Several factors contribute to how early and how deeply crow's feet develop:
- Years of repeated squinting or smiling, which etch lines into the skin over time
- Cumulative sun exposure, which breaks down collagen and elastin
- Natural loss of skin thickness and elasticity with age
- Genetics, since some patients are simply more prone to expression lines
Unlike hooded eyelid skin, crow's feet are a surface-level wrinkle pattern rather than an excess of tissue, which is exactly why an eyelid lift is not designed to correct them.
Can Blepharoplasty Improve the Appearance of Crow's Feet at All?
Upper blepharoplasty can create a subtle, indirect softening near the outer corner of the eye once heavy or hooded skin is removed, but this is a side effect, not the point of the procedure. The surgery is not a substitute for a dedicated wrinkle treatment.
Patients who expect their crow's feet to disappear after eyelid surgery are often surprised that the lines remain just as visible once swelling resolves. Dr. Levin walks every patient through this distinction during consultation so expectations match what the surgery can realistically achieve.
What Actually Treats Crow's Feet?
BOTOX is the most common and effective treatment for crow's feet because it targets the muscle activity that causes the lines to form. Dr. Levin's practice offers BOTOX injections that relax the orbicularis oculi, softening the lines that appear when the patient smiles or squints.
For lines that remain visible even when the face is at rest, often called static wrinkles, laser resurfacing can help by stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture around the eyes. Dr. Levin's office offers several resurfacing options for patients whose crow's-feet have become more pronounced over time.
Can Upper Blepharoplasty Be Combined With BOTOX for Crow's Feet?
Yes, many patients combine upper blepharoplasty with BOTOX to address both the eyelid and the surrounding wrinkles in a single overall plan. Because these are two different anatomical concerns, treating them together often gives a more complete, harmonious result than either treatment alone.
Non-surgical treatments like BOTOX are typically scheduled a few weeks after eyelid surgery, once initial swelling from the procedure has resolved. Dr. Levin discusses timing and sequencing during the consultation so both treatments deliver their full benefit.
Why Westport Chooses Dr. Flora Levin for Eyelid Rejuvenation
Dr. Levin is a board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon who has performed thousands of eyelid procedures throughout her career. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, a group with fewer than 700 members nationwide.
Her background in oculofacial anatomy gives her a deeper understanding of how the eyelid, brow, and surrounding skin work together, which is why she takes a comprehensive approach rather than treating any one concern in isolation. Patients throughout Westport, Fairfield, and Westchester trust her for natural, unhurried, and honest guidance on what a given procedure can and cannot achieve.
Understanding the difference between hooded eyelid skin and crow's feet is the first step toward choosing the right treatment. Dr. Flora Levin welcomes patients from Westport, Fairfield, and Westchester for a thorough consultation covering both surgical and non-surgical options, so every recommendation is tailored to your anatomy and goals. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.
Sources
- American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, "Eyelid Surgery": https://www.aafprs.org/AAFPRS/Procedures/Facial-Rejuvenation/Eyelid_Surgery.aspx
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, "Eyelid Surgery": https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/eyelid-surgery
- Cleveland Clinic, "Wrinkles": https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10984-wrinkles
