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We’re all looking at our faces too much, and it’s wreaking havoc on how we view ourselves — let’s just get that out of the way real quick.
In our screen-obsessed, digitally-connected post-pandemic world, we're looking at ourselves on Zoom calls and FaceTime chats, and we’re seeing heavily filtered faces on our feeds, which are undoubtedly messing with our perception of what real faces look like.
This isn’t just changing the way we view ourselves, it’s also driving interest in a whole new range of beauty treatments and procedures. Take, for example, blepharoplasties.
Blephs are all over social media
A few months ago, I found myself down a rabbit hole of blepharoplasty content. At 37, I’ve never had botox or filler, yet somehow, I found myself wondering if this procedure might be just the thing my face needs in order to look more… balanced? Youthful? Or maybe just closer to the ubiquitous “Instagram face” ideal that’s somehow seeped into our consciousness.
In 2025, we’re chasing a certain beauty ideal harder than ever. From elaborate skin care routines to botox to chin filler to body contouring to buccal fat removal — the list of things we’re doing in the name of beauty is longer than ever. And blepharoplasty procedures are, arguably, the most current, buzzy example of a procedure people are turning to in pursuit of beauty.
What exactly is a blepharoplasty?
This procedure is also known as “eyelid surgery”. Which makes sense, because the surgery removes excess skin from the — you guessed it — eyelids.
Some people do this for functional purposes, but it’s becoming more and more common as a cosmetic procedure.
According to Mayo Clinic, eyelids stretch with age, and the muscles supporting them weaken. Excess skin can gather, causing drooping eyebrows or upper lids, and bags under the eyes. This doesn’t just change the look of the eye area, but can also reduce peripheral vision.
As someone who has always had hooded eyes, I can see why people are turning to this procedure even in the absence of vision issues. A blepharoplasty can give eyes a more open, awake look, which can take years off your face (and make you look more awake).
Influencers are sharing their blepharoplasty before and after comparisons
Some influencers and celebrities — like Kaitlyn Bristowe, Shannon Ford, and Arielle Lorre — have been open about their experiences with this procedure.
For Bristowe, a lifelong insecurity led her to decide on a bleph. “I grew up thinking I had a lazy eye,” Bristowe shared on an episode of The Ladygang podcast, touching on the stigma and secrecy of having work done. “There's so many people that have done things and they don’t talk about it… I was shocked by the support.”
Blepharoplasties (or ‘blephs’) have gained traction thanks to recent social media discourse, but they’ve been around. Many people speculate that some A-list celebrities have had this procedure done — but as Bristowe points out, cosmetic work tends not to be openly discussed.
In some ways, social media’s ability to put this type of conversation and openness out into the world can be a great thing. Today, we know about procedures like blephs, and we understand that when we look at famous people and ask ourselves how they look so perfect — well, chances are they’ve dabbled in a procedure like this one to bring their face closer to that standard we hold.
What’s it like to actually get a bleph?
Bristowe also shared some information about her procedure. Spoiler alert: If the thought of pain or an intense recovery is holding you back from getting a bleph, this will put your mind at ease.
“Zero pain,” she said, adding that the procedure took 15 minutes and cost $3,400.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a surgeon cuts along the fold of the eyelid, removes excess skin, fat, and muscle, then stitches the eyelid back up. Typically, you can go home that same day.
Recovery may involve a bit of pain or discomfort, blurry vision, swelling and bruising, double vision, and numb/puffy eyelids. Aftercare includes applying ice compresses to the eye area, using prescribed eye drops, avoiding strenuous activities for a week post-surgery, and wearing contact lenses for two weeks post-op.
As with any surgery, a bleph does come with risks, which include infection and bleeding, dry or irritated eyes, or temporary blurred vision or (rarely) loss of eyesight.
What the experts say
One plastic surgeon calls this procedure “the definition of undetectable aesthetics”.
“It heals so well, because thin skin actually heals better," says board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Prem Tripathi in a TikTok about this procedure. “Chances are, if you’re looking at celebrities and you can’t really put your finger on what they’ve had done, this could be an indication of something they’ve had done.”
The bottom line on blephs?
All the time we spend looking at our faces on screens affects how we view our faces. We were never supposed to spend so much time looking at ourselves.
With that being said, your face is your face — and your business. And ultimately deciding how much or how little you want to buy into the beauty standards is a nuanced, intensely personal experience. So if you want to get a bleph for purely aesthetic reasons, that’s your choice. At the end of the day, it’s a relatively low-stakes way to boost your confidence.
Zara Hanawalt is a freelance journalist and mom of twins. She's written for outlets like Parents, MarieClaire, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Motherly, and many others. In her (admittedly limited!) free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her family.