Sydney Sweeney’s Eyelid Secrets: Upper vs. Lower Lid Surgery
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ann Jayaram, MD, board-certified oculoplastic surgeon. Last updated October 28, 2026.
In this video, Dr. Ann Jayaram, the Bay Area Eyelid Expert, explains why Sweeney’s subtle eyelid lift is a perfect example of conservative artistry, restoring femininity and lightness while keeping her unique features intact.
A Closer Look at Sydney’s Eyelid Changes
The Upper Eyelid Refresh
If you look at Sydney’s earlier photos, she had a small amount of upper eyelid hooding. Totally natural. It’s the kind of thing many people start to notice more as they age.
In her after photos, that heaviness is softened, not erased. It looks like an aggressive skin excision was done, but it was done carefully. The key point: her eyes still look like her, just brighter, more open, and refreshed. The subtle refinement enhances her natural beauty without changing her identity, striking the perfect balance between correction and authenticity.
Upper Lid Hooding, What Likely Changed
It looks like Sydney had her upper lids addressed with a conservative blepharoplasty. There may have been slightly more skin removed than absolutely necessary, but overall the result works, the eyelids look smoother, lighter, and still natural.
This is exactly what good upper lid surgery should do: refresh, not transform.
Lower Lids & the Temptation of Skin Pinch
Now let’s talk about lower lids, because this is where things get tricky. As we age, it’s common to notice fine lines or a bit of loose skin under the eyes. It’s tempting to say, “Just take a little skin.” That’s called a lower lid skin pinch.
While it can be appropriate in some cases, it has to be done very carefully.
What Is Inferior Scleral Show (and Why It Matters)
One thing that can happen if too much skin is removed is something called inferior scleral show, when you start to see the white part of the eye underneath the iris.
That’s usually not what we want. When skin is removed from the lower lid, the only direction the lid can move is downward. If there’s too much pull, the lid drops.
Some people think this makes the eye look bigger, but it often looks unnatural, and that’s something we try hard to avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between upper and lower eyelid surgery?
Upper eyelid surgery removes excess skin that causes hooding or heaviness above the eye, which can make the eyes look brighter and more open. Lower eyelid surgery treats the area under the eye, such as loose skin, fine lines or bags. The lower lid needs extra caution, because removing too much skin can pull the lid down.
Is upper eyelid hooding normal as you age?
Yes, a small amount of upper eyelid hooding is natural, and many people notice it more with age. When it bothers you, a conservative upper blepharoplasty can soften the heaviness. Dr. Jayaram's signature ellevate Lid Lift is a 30-minute, in-office procedure that targets excess upper lid skin.
What is a lower lid skin pinch?
A lower lid skin pinch is a procedure that removes a small amount of loose skin under the eye, often to improve fine lines. It can be appropriate in some cases, but it has to be done very carefully. Taking too much skin can pull the lower lid downward and change the shape of the eye.
How do surgeons avoid a pulled down lower lid after eyelid surgery?
The main safeguard is removing only as much lower lid skin as the eye can spare. When skin is taken from the lower lid, the lid can only move down, so too much pull can expose the white of the eye below the iris. A conservative plan keeps the lid in its natural position.
Can eyelid surgery still look natural?
Yes, eyelid surgery can look natural when it is done conservatively. The goal is to soften heaviness, not erase every fold, so your eyes still look like you, only brighter and more rested. Dr. Ann Jayaram, an oculoplastic surgeon at Ellevate MD, focuses on this kind of subtle refinement.
About the author
Dr. Ann Jayaram, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon at Ellevate MD in Atherton, California. She studied at Stanford, earned her MD with honors in research at Loyola, completed her ophthalmology residency at Northwestern and her oculoplastic surgery fellowship at Tufts Medical Center New England Eye Center. She has performed more than 7,000 eyelid and eye procedures. Read more about Dr. Jayaram.
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