Upper eyelid lift in Berlin: Your eyes, your wishes
An upper eyelid lift in Berlin can reduce excess skin on the upper eyelid and make the eyes appear more open, without eliminating all wrinkles.
During my consultation on Kurfürstendamm, we discuss which changes suit your eyelids, what the limitations are and how much recovery time you should plan for – tell me what you would like.
- Duration of an upper eyelid lift
- About 45 minutes to one hour; preparation and post-procedure observation take additional time.
- Anaesthesia
- Usually local anaesthesia. We discuss beforehand what sensations to expect and how we manage discomfort.
- Clinic stay
- An upper eyelid lift can often be performed as an outpatient procedure. Depending on your health and the chosen anaesthesia, an inpatient stay may be necessary.
- Return to social activities
- Depending on the healing process; visible bruising or swelling may persist for longer. Allow extra time for important appearances.
- Return to work
- For sedentary work, allow around one to two weeks off as a guide. Your return depends on your work, discomfort and the healing process.
- Sport
- Sport can be considered again after about two weeks at the earliest. Depending on the type of sport and how the wound is healing, a longer break may be necessary; we will agree with you on when to resume.
- Wound healing
- Several weeks; final scar maturation can take several months, in some cases up to about six months.
- Costs
- Depending on the extent of the correction, anaesthesia and agreed services. You will receive a personalised cost plan after examination and planning.
- Aftercare
- Rest and keep your head and upper body slightly elevated. Cleaning and, if appropriate, cooling according to your personal aftercare plan; suture removal approximately between the fifth and tenth day, depending on how the wound is healing.
We correct excess skin on the upper eyelid, usually under local anaesthesia. The extent depends on your clinical findings. Further down, we show you the procedure step by step – from marking the incision line to post-procedure observation.
An upper eyelid lift can involve risks such as bleeding, postoperative bleeding, infections and impaired wound healing. Noticeable scars, asymmetries or a result that does not meet your expectations are also possible. These points form part of the individual informed consent discussion before you decide.
Dryness, increased tearing, irritation and problems closing the eyelids fully can occur. These symptoms need to be assessed over time and treated if necessary. Bleeding or infection in the eye socket can also endanger vision.
Sudden deterioration in vision, severe pain or rapidly increasing swelling must be assessed medically immediately.
Contact the treating team immediately. If they cannot be reached straight away, contact an emergency eye care service or emergency department without delay; do not wait for your next follow-up appointment or a reply to a message.
Plan time for rest and follow-up appointments after the procedure. Your personal aftercare plan will guide you through this. In the section on recovery, you will learn what is important during the first few days and weeks.
What an upper eyelid lift in Berlin can change
An upper eyelid lift is a surgical correction of excess skin on the upper eyelid. It may be considered when skin covers the natural eyelid crease or rests on the mobile part of the eyelid. Blepharoplasty is the medical umbrella term for surgical correction of the eyelids. Excess tissue is removed or redistributed depending on the clinical findings. The term covers procedures on the upper and lower eyelids; this page focuses on upper eyelid correction.
As a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery and a specialist in surgery, I am personally available to you for your upper eyelid lift in Berlin. You can learn more about my background and approach in about me; my professional qualifications are documented in the legal notice.
A more open look that suits you
Hooded eyelids describe an eye area in which overhanging skin partially or completely conceals the upper eyelid crease. Your personal goal for upper eyelid surgery may be a more rested look that better matches your energy and outlook on life.
How do hooded eyelids develop?
As you age, the eyelid skin loses elasticity. Family predisposition, UV radiation and smoking can also influence their development.
What matters is not a particular age, but whether the change concerns you and whether the examination identifies a suitable treatment approach.
Hooded eyelids can develop in both eyes or just one eye. Women and men are equally affected.
Is upper eyelid surgery suitable for your eyelids?
Not every concealed eyelid crease has the same underlying cause. I examine the excess skin, the position of your eyebrows and how your eyelids open and close. Drooping eyebrows can also push skin onto the upper eyelid; removing skin alone may then fail to address the main cause.
Three medical terms help distinguish between the conditions:
- Dermatochalasis refers to laxity of the eyelid skin and underlying tissue, often associated with ageing or predisposition.
- Blepharochalasis is a rare condition involving recurrent eyelid swelling, which can lead to thin, lax skin over time. It is not a synonym for ordinary hooded eyelids.
- Ptosis or blepharoptosis means that the entire upper eyelid droops. Among other things, the function of the levator muscle must be assessed; excess skin alone does not explain this change.
Dry eyes, previous eye surgery and previous eyelid surgery are also considered during the examination. This information influences which procedure is appropriate and how conservatively the tissue correction needs to be planned.
Are hooded eyelids only a cosmetic problem?
Severely hooded eyelids can restrict the visual field or irritate the ocular surface, for example when eyelashes are pushed inwards. If your vision deteriorates or you notice a restriction in your field of vision, please first have the cause assessed by an ophthalmologist. An aesthetic consultation does not replace this examination.
What results can be achieved with an upper eyelid lift?
Upper eyelid surgery does not automatically treat crow’s feet, meaning lateral expression lines, or changes to the lower eyelid. Your eye area does not need to become completely wrinkle-free to look more open, either. We therefore discuss both what you would like to change and what matters to you about your expression.
When other parts of the eye area also matter
Eyelid surgery should address the area where the change originates. If the lower eyelids, eyebrows or dark circles also matter alongside the upper eyelids, we consider them separately. The overview of eyelid surgery helps you distinguish between the different treatment goals.
A lower eyelid lift is a surgical correction of excess skin or bulging tissue below the eye. Lower eyelid position, stability and fat distribution play a role in its planning. Dark circles do not automatically disappear as a result.
In aesthetic terminology, eye bags refer to visible bulges beneath the eyes, not the anatomical lacrimal sac at the inner corner of the eye. Persistent tissue bulges, fluctuating swelling and dark circles require different assessments. You can read more under Eye bags: weighing up causes and treatment.
Additional treatments are not a necessary part of an upper eyelid lift. We discuss them only if a separate clinical finding and your personal wishes support doing so. A decision to treat only the upper eyelids or not to have a procedure also has its place.
How we plan your procedure
During the initial consultation, I get to know your individual circumstances and wishes, explain the process of an upper eyelid lift and outline the possibilities and limitations of this treatment.
Preparation for eyelid surgery includes a thorough physical examination and the creation of your personal treatment plan. Before your upper eyelid lift, we discuss the procedure, anaesthesia and aftercare so that you can take your time making your decision. This includes sufficient time for reflection; unanswered questions may require another appointment.
Please tell us about pre-existing conditions, allergies, unusually severe bruising and previous treatments. Bring a list of your medications, including painkillers you use regularly. Do not stop taking medications on your own: We coordinate any necessary changes with the relevant doctors.
What happens during an upper eyelid lift
Plan and mark the incision line
Before the procedure, we mark the individually planned incision line as a precise outline on your upper eyelids.
Anaesthetise the eyelid area
The procedure is usually performed under local anaesthesia. You remain awake throughout. Please let us know immediately if you experience pain or discomfort.
Correct tissue selectively
Excess skin is removed through the planned incision. How much skin and tissue is corrected depends on the condition of your upper eyelids. Muscle or fatty tissue is not routinely removed as well. Additional correction or redistribution is considered only if the clinical findings and the agreed treatment goal support it.
Suture the wound
After the tissue correction, the wound edges are closed with fine sutures.
Observation and rest
The operation is followed by a period of observation. Plan to rest during the initial period afterwards and follow your personal aftercare plan.
Where in the eye area are incisions needed for an upper eyelid lift?
The incision follows the natural crease of the upper eyelid and is planned individually. If there is excess skin at the outer side, it may extend slightly beyond it.
How scars and results develop
The scar lies mainly in the natural eyelid crease and may become less noticeable there over time. How visible it remains depends on your individual healing process.
Your recovery in the first days and weeks
What can I expect after an upper eyelid lift?
Swelling and bruising are possible in the first few days; your eyes may be dry, sensitive or more watery than usual. Plan to rest initially and follow your personal aftercare plan.
What should I do after upper eyelid correction?
In the first few days after surgery, you should sleep with your head and upper body slightly elevated. We will discuss with you specifically how to clean the eye area and apply cooling if appropriate. Contact with water depends on the condition of the wounds, rather than a blanket ban for a fixed number of days.
The stitches are removed approximately between the fifth and tenth day, depending on how the wounds are healing. This appointment does not mean that you can already resume every type of activity. At the check-up, we also assess how the swelling, wound edges and eyelid closure are developing.
Avoid cosmetic creams and ointments on the operated eye area during the first week. Use medically prescribed care products according to your aftercare plan. Do not rub or massage the recently operated area on your own initiative. We address when make-up and contact lenses can be considered again in the frequently asked questions.
Eyes and sensitivity after blepharoplasty
Short periods of reading or watching television are often possible again after about two days, provided your eyes tolerate them comfortably. Do not overexert yourself. When working at a screen, the sensitivity of your eyes, short sessions and adequate breaks also matter – a full working day places different demands on them. If you are sensitive to light, sunglasses are advisable outdoors; how long to wear them and what further sun protection to use depend on your recovery.
Upper eyelid lift: healing and scar maturation
Initially, redness and a firmer texture may be noticeable. While the wounds have already closed and you are able to manage more everyday activities again, scar maturation continues. Overall, the healing process can take several weeks; final maturation may extend over several months, in some cases up to about six months.
For this reason, after an upper eyelid lift, we do not assess healing and results on just one check-up day, but evaluate the changes over time.
What the cost of an upper eyelid lift in Berlin depends on
The price depends on the individually planned extent of the correction, the anaesthesia and the agreed services. Whether only the upper eyelids are to be treated also forms part of the cost plan. We can therefore only provide a reliable figure after examination and planning.
We discuss your personal cost plan before you make your decision.
For possible cost coverage, it matters whether you want an aesthetic change or your eyelids impair your vision. If you have visual symptoms, please have the cause examined by an ophthalmologist. Clarify possible cost coverage with your insurer before the procedure. Our decision aid for hooded eyelid surgery helps you first identify the cause and reason for treatment.
Frequently asked questions about upper eyelid lifts
What does an upper eyelid lift under local anaesthesia feel like?
You remain awake during an upper eyelid lift under local anaesthesia. The anaesthetic is injected into the eyelid area using a fine needle; you may feel the needle pricks. During the procedure, you may notice a pulling sensation on your eyelids. How you experience this is individual. Report any pain or discomfort immediately during the procedure so that we can respond.
How much time off work should I plan for?
After an upper eyelid lift, about one to two weeks off can serve as an initial guide for work that is not strenuous. Physical exertion, long periods of screen time and interaction with the public place different demands on you. Visible signs may remain even though you already feel more able to cope with activity. We therefore tailor your return to work to your occupation, symptoms and healing progress.
Is swelling still possible 2 weeks after an upper eyelid lift?
Yes, swelling, discolouration or reddened scars may still be visible after two weeks. The final result cannot yet be assessed at this point, even if you are already able to manage more everyday activities again. However, suddenly increasing swelling, severe pain or visual disturbances require immediate medical assessment.
When can I use make-up or contact lenses again?
Make-up: If healing is progressing normally, you can carefully apply make-up again about one to two days after the stitches have been removed. Avoid the suture line and do not rub when applying or removing it.
Contact lenses: What matters is that your eyes tolerate the lenses comfortably again and that you do not pull on the wounds when inserting or removing them. Stitch removal alone does not establish this.
These notes provide general guidance; your personal aftercare plan takes the condition of your wounds and eyes into account.
What should I do about a thickened or reddened scar?
If scars are red or firmer after an upper eyelid lift, this may be part of early scar development. However, have persistent, worsening or painful changes examined. Nodules should also be assessed by a doctor. Do not start massages or new scar products on your own initiative; appropriate care depends on the condition of the wound and the cause of the abnormality.
How long can the change from an upper eyelid lift last?
An upper eyelid lift can change the eye area in the long term, but it does not stop natural skin ageing. How long the effect remains visible depends, among other things, on the individual tissue characteristics and subsequent changes in the skin. A fixed duration cannot be promised. During the consultation, we assess what change is realistic for your upper eyelids.
Can an upper eyelid lift be repeated later?
A repeat upper eyelid lift may be an option, but it is not automatically advisable or straightforward. Beforehand, the existing skin, previous scars, eyelid function and any symptoms must be examined again. Lowered eyebrows or ptosis can also change the appearance of the eyes. A repeat operation therefore requires its own planning rather than simply repeating the first procedure.
Which symptoms after surgery require immediate assessment?
After an upper eyelid lift, suddenly worsening vision, severe pain and rapidly increasing swelling are warning signs. Contact your treating team immediately. If they cannot be reached straight away, seek emergency ophthalmic care or go to an emergency department without delay. Do not wait for your next check-up or for a reply to a message.
How can the costs of an upper eyelid lift in Berlin be compared?
Compare cost plans for the same extent of correction and the same anaesthesia. Check whether consultation, examination, surgery and aftercare are included. This allows you to assess the services behind the total amount rather than simply comparing starting prices.