Blepharoplasty
Refreshes tired-looking eyesUpper, lower, or both lidsNatural, considered results
The eyelids are one of the first areas where the signs of ageing become visible. As skin loses elasticity and the underlying structures shift, the eyes can begin to look heavier or more tired than you feel. For many people, it is a gradual change that rest and topical treatments cannot address.
At FrownDocs in Scotland, we offer blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, to address the upper lids, the lower lids, or both, depending on your anatomy and goals. The aim is always a refreshed, natural result. You should still look like you, only more rested.
Every procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, with sedation available where appropriate. Your surgery is planned and performed by Mr Biddlestone, an experienced head and neck surgeon whose detailed knowledge of the eye area helps us prioritise both your results and your safety.
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Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery that may involve the upper lids, the lower lids, or both, depending on your anatomy and goals. Upper lid surgery addresses excess or hooded skin; lower lid surgery targets puffiness and loose skin beneath the eyes. At your consultation, we confirm which approach suits you best.
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You may be suitable if you have tired or heavy-looking eyes, upper lid hooding, under-eye bags, or loose skin that has not responded to topical treatments. Good general health matters too. A consultation lets us assess your anatomy, rule out other causes of heaviness, and recommend the right approach.
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Some swelling and bruising is normal in the early days. Resting with your head slightly elevated and using cool compresses as advised will help. Downtime varies depending on your procedure. Our team provides attentive follow-up throughout, so you are never left with unanswered questions.
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Your surgery is carried out by an experienced head and neck surgeon under local anaesthetic, with sedation available where appropriate and careful planning at every step. We take time over patient selection and technique, and we talk you through the benefits and risks honestly before you decide anything.
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What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is surgical eyelid treatment, sometimes called an eyelid lift, that refreshes tired, heavy, or ageing eyes. It covers three broad options: upper lid surgery for excess or hooded skin, lower lid surgery for puffiness and under-eye bags, and a combined approach for those who need both.
Which route suits you depends entirely on your anatomy and what you would like to change. If you already know whether your concern sits with the upper or lower lids, our dedicated upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty pages go into more detail. If you are not sure, your consultation is exactly where we work that out together.
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Treatment areas
Upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both
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Treatment time
Typically 1 to 2 hours, depending on procedure
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Downtime
Typically 1 to 2 weeks, depending on procedure
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Results
Brighter, more open eyes with a naturally refreshed appearance
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Frequency
One-off
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Risks
Bruising, swelling, mild asymmetry, infection (rare)
A More Rested Look, Not a Different Face
The most common thing people say after blepharoplasty is that others have noticed they look well, not that they look like they have had surgery.
That is the goal. Blepharoplasty is not about changing your features or creating a dramatically different appearance. It is about addressing what has shifted with time: a heaviness in the upper lids, a puffiness beneath the eyes, a tiredness that no longer reflects how you feel. The aim is to restore a version of your face that feels like you again.
Good results come from careful planning, a precise understanding of the anatomy, and a clear agreement between surgeon and patient about what is realistic. We never aim for a result that looks operated. We aim for one that looks right.
The Surgeon Behind Your Blepharoplasty
Few areas of the face demand as much surgical judgement as the eyelids. The structures here are intricate, the margins are small, and what is removed, repositioned, and preserved has a direct bearing on both how your eyes look and how they function.
Mr Biddlestone has spent the vast majority of his surgical career in this part of the body. Head and neck surgery accounts for around 80 percent of his operating time, giving him a depth of anatomical familiarity that shapes how carefully he plans each procedure and how confidently he navigates the structures that matter most for your outcome and comfort.
Training, Credentials, and a Deliberate Choice
He completed his medical training at the University of Cambridge and his PhD at the University of Dundee. Choosing to build his career in Scotland was deliberate: the country has a strong reputation for the quality of its plastic surgery, and those standards are something he actively sought out.
That background informs how we work. No procedure is recommended simply because it is available. We take time to understand what you are hoping to achieve, set expectations grounded in your anatomy, and plan in a way that puts your long-term result first.
Choosing the Right Blepharoplasty for You
A good outcome begins well before surgery. At your consultation, we assess your eyelid anatomy, listen carefully to what is bothering you, and explain honestly what blepharoplasty can and cannot achieve. We confirm whether the upper lids, the lower lids, or both would benefit from treatment, and if a different approach would serve you better, we will say so.
Once you decide to go ahead, we plan thoroughly. We talk through the day itself, your anaesthetic options, and what to expect during recovery. You will leave with clear guidance and a direct point of contact.
Recovery involves some swelling and bruising, which typically settles over the first couple of weeks. Downtime varies by procedure, so we give you a realistic timeline based on your surgery. Our team remains attentive throughout, and if anything feels uncertain, we would rather you reached out than sat with questions unanswered.
How Combined Care Supports Your Result
Your care at FrownDocs does not stop at surgery. We offer advanced skin and scar treatments on site, delivered by specialists in their field, to support how your skin heals and help any scarring settle well.
Where appropriate, gentle skin rejuvenation such as Morpheus8 or Fraxel can further refine texture and freshen the eye area once healing allows.
FrownDocs is one of the few clinics in Scotland where non-surgical aesthetics and plastic surgery work in genuine synergy under one roof. It means your surgeon and our skin specialists can plan together, so your care feels joined-up from the outset.
Book Your Blepharoplasty Consultation
If tired or heavy-looking eyes are affecting your confidence, a calm, honest conversation is a good place to start. We will assess your eyes, confirm which approach suits you, and give you the time and space to decide, with no pressure and no obligation.
To arrange your blepharoplasty consultation with FrownDocs in Scotland, get in touch with our team today.
Blepharoplasty FAQs
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Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery that improves the appearance of the eye area. It can address excess skin on the upper lids, puffiness and loose skin beneath the eyes, or both, with the aim of a refreshed, natural result.
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It is often chosen for heavy or hooded upper lids, under-eye bags, loose or crepey eyelid skin, and a tired appearance that persists regardless of how well you have slept.
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Upper blepharoplasty addresses excess or hooded skin on the upper lids. Lower blepharoplasty targets puffiness, bags, and loose skin beneath the eyes. Some people benefit from both. We confirm the right approach at your consultation.
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You may be suitable if you have tired-looking eyes, upper lid hooding, or under-eye bags, and are in good general health. A consultation is essential, as it lets us properly assess your anatomy and rule out other contributing factors such as brow position.
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No. We carry out blepharoplasty under local anaesthetic, with sedation available where appropriate. We do not use general anaesthetic for any of our procedures.
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Some swelling and bruising is expected and typically settles within the first couple of weeks. Exact downtime depends on your procedure. We provide a realistic recovery timeline at your consultation and attentive support throughout.
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Incisions are placed discreetly and are well hidden once healed. Scarring typically fades to a fine line. We can also support healing with on-site skin and scar treatments where appropriate.
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Your surgery is carried out by Mr John Biddlestone, an experienced head and neck surgeon who trained at Cambridge, completed his PhD at Dundee, and focuses around 80 percent of his surgical time on this region of the body.
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Yes. It pairs well with skin rejuvenation treatments such as Morpheus8 or Fraxel. Because we bring plastic surgery and non-surgical aesthetics together in one team, we can plan any combination of treatments with you.
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Upper blepharoplasty costs £2,995 and lower blepharoplasty costs £4,495. If you are considering a combined procedure, we will discuss pricing clearly at your consultation before any decisions are made.