Amanda Bynes' Bleph Surgery 'Looks Natural', Says a Plastic Surgeon — Here's What to Know About the Procedure

Earlier this week, Amanda Bynes posted a video on TikTok revealing that she'd had a blepharoplasty — a procedure to remove excess eyelid skin. The former child star, 37, told her social media followers that the finished product has boosted her confidence.

“It was one of the best things I could’ve ever done for my self-confidence, and it made me feel a lot better in my skin, so I just wanted to post about that just to clear up that rumor as to why I have a new look,” the Hairspray actress said. “I feel a lot better now about myself, and I’m so glad I had the blepharoplasty surgery. It was one of the greatest things I could’ve ever done.”

Bynes' “new look” has since sparked a lot of curiosity about the procedure. PEOPLE recently spoke to plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Lee, blepharoplasty specialist and CEO at Wave Plastic Surgery, to learn more about it.

“I think her results are great!” Lee, who did not treat Bynes, tells PEOPLE. “Looks natural and certainly it has given her a fresher look. The important element is that it doesn’t change who you are, it just restores the youthful version of oneself.”

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What is a blepharoplasty?

“As we age, the upper eyelid skin loosens and sags over the eyes. This is especially true towards the outer corners of the eye, resulting in a more tired and sad appearance,” Lee explains. “Upper blepharoplasty, commonly referred to as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure aimed at rejuvenating the upper eyelid region. It involves the removal of excess skin, fat, and sometimes muscle to create a more youthful and alert appearance.” 

 How is the procedure performed?

“The procedure typically starts with an incision along the natural crease of the upper eyelid and excising the excess skin, prominent fat, and muscle,” Lee says. “The goal is to naturally restore the upper eyelid to a youthful state. Typically, the surgery takes about an hour to perform, with recovery time of 2 weeks, the sutures are removed anywhere from 5 to 10 days after surgery.”

What are some of the risks?

“Upper blepharoplasty is generally well tolerated,” Lee tells PEOPLE. “Although rare, some risks and complications can occur, such as bleeding, infection, dry eyes, corneal irritation, lagophthalmos or difficulty with eyelid closure, asymmetry, skin changes, scarring, visual disturbance, or need for additional or revision surgery.”

What is the average cost of a blepharoplasty?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a blepharoplasty is $3,339, not including anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. 

“The cost of upper blepharoplasty varies depending on the region, the surgeon’s expertise, the patient’s individual situation/condition, and the complexity of the procedure required,” Lee explains.