Mr Mattine · Precision rejuvenation of the eyes, balancing contour, support and volume
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
A specialist approach to upper eyelid surgery, lower blepharoplasty, ptosis repair and rejuvenation of the area around the eyes, with an emphasis on preserving natural volume.
The eyes and ageing
Where ageing often shows first
The eyes are one of the most expressive and defining features of the face. They are often where we first focus when looking at someone, and they can also be one of the earliest areas to reveal the effects of ageing.
With time, the delicate tissues around the eyes change. The skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity, the supporting muscles and tissues may weaken, and the fat that naturally surrounds the eye can become more prominent or change position. This can lead to heaviness or folding of the upper eyelids, puffiness or bags beneath the eyes, fine lines, hollowing and a less defined transition between the lower eyelid and cheek.
These changes can create an appearance that looks tired, heavy or older, even when you feel well rested. In some patients, eyelid heaviness or under-eye bags are strongly influenced by genetics and may become noticeable much earlier in life.
What is blepharoplasty?
A refined approach to a brighter, more youthful look
Eyes that appear brighter, softer and more refreshed, without looking hollow, over-operated or fundamentally different.
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is designed to rejuvenate the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. Depending on your anatomy, surgery may involve carefully removing excess skin, repositioning or restoring fat, improving eyelid contour and addressing the relationship between the eyelid and surrounding facial structures.
Modern eyelid surgery is not simply about removing skin or eliminating every line around the eyes. The aim is a fresher, more rested and naturally rejuvenated appearance that preserves the individual shape, expression and character of your eyes.
A modern philosophy
Preserving volume, not simply removing fat
The philosophy of eyelid surgery has evolved considerably. For many years, traditional blepharoplasty frequently involved removing prominent eyelid fat to create a flatter, smoother contour. We now understand that fat is an important component of youthful facial volume. Excessive removal can leave the eyelids looking hollow, skeletonised or prematurely aged. For this reason, Mr Mattine's approach has moved away from routine fat excision. Wherever appropriate, the emphasis is on preserving, repositioning or restoring fat, so that existing volume is redistributed rather than simply removed.
Lower eyelids
Fat may be repositioned to soften the transition between the eyelid and cheek and reduce the appearance of hollowing.
Upper eyelids
Careful preservation of volume helps maintain a natural, youthful contour and avoids an excessively hollow appearance.
A holistic approach
Every patient ages differently. Mr Mattine considers not only the eyelids, but also the brow, orbital region, midface and eyelid-cheek relationship. In selected patients, eyelid surgery may be performed alone or as part of a wider programme of facial rejuvenation.
Why patients consider it
Different concerns, one tailored approach
Blepharoplasty is not one procedure performed for one reason. Patients may seek eyelid surgery for aesthetic rejuvenation, functional improvement or to address age-related changes in eyelid shape and support. The most appropriate treatment depends on your anatomy and the specific concern. These are best thought of as different reasons for blepharoplasty rather than different operations. Treatment may involve upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery or both.
Cosmetic rejuvenation
For patients troubled by upper eyelid heaviness, under-eye bags, puffiness or a tired appearance, blepharoplasty can refresh the eyes and create a more rested, youthful look. The aim is not to change the eyes completely, but to restore a smoother, fresher and more refined eyelid contour.
Functional improvement
In some patients, significant hooding of the upper eyelids can interfere with the visual field. In these cases, upper eyelid surgery may remove excess skin and improve both vision and eyelid definition. Many procedures can be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia, depending on the individual case.
Eye shape and support
With ageing, the tissues supporting the outer corner of the eye and the lower eyelid may weaken, creating a rounder or more tired appearance. In selected patients, eyelid surgery can be combined with supportive techniques to improve shape, definition and balance while maintaining a natural result.
Upper blepharoplasty
More than simply removing excess skin
More than simply removing excess skin
Upper blepharoplasty rejuvenates the upper eyelids while preserving the natural shape and character of the eyes. With ageing, the delicate eyelid skin can lose elasticity and begin to fold or descend, creating hooding, heaviness and a tired appearance. In some patients, excess skin can also interfere with eye make-up or, when more pronounced, affect the upper visual field. The aim is a cleaner, lighter and more youthful upper eyelid contour without making the eyes look operated or fundamentally different.
Not all eyelid heaviness is the same
What appears to be excess upper eyelid skin may sometimes be caused or exaggerated by brow descent. A low brow can produce lateral hooding, and in these patients blepharoplasty alone may not fully correct the problem. Assessing the brow and eyelid together helps decide whether upper eyelid surgery alone, or a combination with brow lifting, will give the most balanced result. In other patients, a low eyelid may result from weakness of the levator mechanism, producing true eyelid ptosis. This requires ptosis correction rather than conventional blepharoplasty, so accurate diagnosis is an essential part of planning.
Preserving upper eyelid volume
Ageing can also cause loss of upper eyelid and orbital volume, sometimes producing a hollow or A-frame appearance. In these patients, removing additional fat may exaggerate the problem. Mr Mattine's approach therefore emphasises preserving natural eyelid volume. Where appropriate, fat may be repositioned or restored rather than removed, helping maintain a softer and more youthful contour.
The surgery
During upper blepharoplasty, carefully selected excess skin is removed while the underlying tissues and volume are preserved or restored according to your anatomy. The incision is positioned within the natural upper eyelid crease, helping the scar remain well concealed once healed. The objective is brighter, more open and refreshed eyes that continue to look entirely natural.
Lower blepharoplasty
A more refreshed, natural you
Lower blepharoplasty is designed to improve under-eye bags, shadowing, loose skin and the tired appearance that can develop beneath the eyes with ageing. The aim is a smoother, brighter and more youthful transition from the eyelid to the cheek while preserving your natural expression.
01 Preserving volume
Under-eye bags are often caused by prominence of the natural fat pads. Rather than simply removing fat, Mr Mattine's preference is to preserve, mobilise and reposition it, creating a smoother contour and reducing the tear trough hollow.
02 A tailored approach
The technique is individualised based on your anatomy, skin quality and eyelid support. In many patients, a scarless approach through the inner eyelid can be used. Where loose skin is also present, a small skin incision may be added. Additional procedures, such as canthopexy, may be performed when needed.
03 Natural, harmonious results
The goal is not to create a different look, but to restore a smoother, brighter and more refreshed appearance, while maintaining the natural fullness and character of your eyes.
Two approaches
Transcutaneous approach: a fine incision is placed just beneath the eyelashes, allowing access to the fat pads and the option to remove or tighten excess skin. The resulting scar is usually very discreet and well concealed.
Transconjunctival approach: the incision is made on the inner surface of the lower eyelid, avoiding any incision on the skin. This scarless technique is often preferred when the main concern is fat prominence and contour, with minimal excess skin.
Ptosis repair
Restoring eyelid height while preserving a natural appearance
What is ptosis?
Upper eyelid ptosis occurs when the eyelid itself sits lower than normal, usually because the levator muscle or its tendon has weakened or stretched. Unlike excess upper eyelid skin, which is treated with blepharoplasty, ptosis affects the position of the eyelid margin and may partially obscure the pupil.
When is repair needed?
Patients may notice that one or both eyes appear smaller, heavier or more tired, and some compensate by constantly raising their eyebrows to improve vision. Accurate diagnosis is essential, as ptosis can be mistaken for excess eyelid skin or brow descent.
The aim of surgery
Ptosis repair is designed to restore the upper eyelid to a more natural position by tightening or advancing the levator mechanism. The aim is to improve eyelid height, symmetry and, where affected, the visual field, while preserving a natural eyelid shape. In selected patients, it may be performed alone or alongside upper blepharoplasty.
Functional eyelid surgery
Eyelid surgery is not only cosmetic. In some patients, excess upper eyelid skin or ptosis can affect vision. Functional eyelid surgery can help restore your field of vision, improve comfort and enhance the appearance of the eyes. Upper blepharoplasty and ptosis repair can often be performed at the same time, and in suitable patients through the same incision.
Fat grafting and nanofat
An additional tool in rejuvenation around the eyes
Fat grafting is an important additional tool in Mr Mattine's approach to rejuvenation around the eyes, particularly in patients with hollowness, loss of volume and dark circles.
Restoring volume
Conventional fat transfer can be used to restore volume, soften hollow areas and create a smoother transition between the lower eyelid, tear trough and cheek.
Nanofat for skin quality
Nanofat is used not primarily for volume, but as a regenerative treatment to improve skin quality, support tissue perfusion and enhance rejuvenation of the delicate tissues around the eyes.
A more complete approach
Together, fat grafting and nanofat can complement blepharoplasty by addressing contour, volume and tissue quality, helping achieve a more natural and complete rejuvenation of the area around the eyes.
A specialist approach
Refined techniques, brighter eyes
Eyelid surgery is a delicate and highly individualised procedure. Choosing a surgeon with specific expertise in facial surgery means every detail is considered, from eyelid function and support to skin quality and overall facial harmony.
A dedicated eyelid surgery specialist
Eyelid surgery requires a detailed understanding of eyelid anatomy, facial balance and the subtle changes that create a natural, refreshed appearance. With extensive experience in both aesthetic and functional eyelid surgery, Mr Mattine offers a highly individualised approach, focusing on natural results that keep your unique expression.
Upper eyelid surgery
Upper blepharoplasty can reduce excess skin, heaviness and hooding, creating a brighter, more awake appearance while maintaining a natural look. In selected patients, the same incision can also be used to elevate the lateral aspect of the brow.
Lower eyelid surgery
Lower blepharoplasty is designed to improve under-eye bags, shadowing and the tired appearance beneath the eyes. It can be performed through a transconjunctival (scarless) approach or a transcutaneous approach with a fine incision hidden just below the eyelashes, depending on your anatomy and needs.
Combined eyelid surgery
In many cases, upper and lower eyelid surgery can be performed together to rejuvenate the eyes as a whole, creating a naturally refreshed and more harmonious appearance while maintaining facial balance.
To enhance your eyes and restore balance
To help you look like a more rested, refreshed version of you, naturally.
At a glance
Key surgery facts
- Anaesthesia, upper blepharoplasty
- Local anaesthesia with sedation. When combined with brow lift, twilight sedation or a short general anaesthetic may be advised.
- Anaesthesia, lower blepharoplasty
- General anaesthetic.
- Length of stay
- Day case.
- Surgery duration, upper blepharoplasty
- Approximately 60 minutes.
- Surgery duration, lower blepharoplasty
- Approximately 90 minutes.
Your treatment is tailored to whether upper, lower or combined eyelid surgery is being performed. A personalised plan is discussed during your consultation.
Recovery
What to expect afterwards
What to expect after eyelid surgery.
- 01
Swelling and bruising
Mild swelling and bruising around the eyes are expected and usually settle over about 1 to 2 weeks. Cold compresses may help.
- 02
Discomfort
Discomfort is usually mild and often managed with simple pain relief. Stronger medication is rarely required.
- 03
Activity
Avoid strenuous activity, bending and heavy lifting for at least 2 weeks.
- 04
Wound care
Gentle cleaning and antibiotic ointment may be advised to support healing and reduce infection risk.
- 05
Sutures
Sutures are typically removed after 7 days.
Most patients feel socially presentable within 1 to 2 weeks, although subtle healing continues beyond this stage.
Results
Before and after gallery
Real patients, natural results. 7 cases of eyelid surgery performed by Mr Mattine.
View full galleryEyelid Surgery
Frequently asked questions
These procedures address different causes of a heavy or drooping upper eyelid. Upper blepharoplasty removes excess eyelid skin, a brow lift raises a descended eyebrow, and ptosis repair lifts the eyelid margin itself when it sits too low. Sometimes more than one problem is present, and a combination of procedures is appropriate. Consultation includes assessing the brows, eyelid position and eyelid function to identify the cause and recommend suitable treatment.
A reputation built on results
Surgery is ultimately judged not by its description, but by what it achieves.
Explore a selection of primary, revision and complex facial surgery cases performed by Mr Mattine, then arrange a consultation in London or Birmingham.