Sagging Eye Surgery: Incision Is Not Always the Answer

One of the first areas to show signs of aging is the eyes.

When opening the eyes becomes uncomfortable and the eyelid skin starts to sag downward, people often look tired and may appear older than they really are.

However, sagging eyes are not just a cosmetic issue.

The eyelids can block the field of vision, reducing eyesight, or you may overuse the forehead muscles, which can deepen forehead wrinkles.

In addition, the face may look sleepy and you may appear older than your actual age.

Correction may be needed not only for the sake of looking younger, but also for healthy and comfortable eyes.

When people think of sagging eye surgery, they usually think of double eyelid surgery. But if it is performed using a typical eye surgery approach, it can create awkward results.

In particular, forcibly removing sagging eyelid skin can make the expression look sharp and may create an unnatural eye shape.

So how can you regain a naturally youthful appearance?

At our clinic, we do not simply create a double eyelid line. Instead, we perform sagging eye surgery while considering each patient’s eye condition, skin elasticity, and the overall balance of the face.

Below, I will explain in more detail.

| Eye Surgery BEFORE & AFTER |

How should age-related sagging eyes be improved?

In younger patients, standard double eyelid surgery can be effective because there is little skin sagging, so the surgery can be done by designing the line well.

However, as people age, the elasticity of the eyelid skin decreases, and the muscles and fat also sag, causing structural changes.

At this point, the loosened tissue needs to be properly addressed.

However, if too much tissue is removed, the line may become excessively high or the eyes may look sharp, resulting in an unnatural appearance.

Also, scars may become visible over time, or revision surgery may be needed.

At our clinic, we do not stop at simply creating a line; we perform surgery while comprehensively considering the individual’s skin, forehead, eyebrows, and eyelids.

1. Brow lift under the eyebrow (sub-brow excision)

This method makes an incision just below the eyebrow and lifts the sagging skin upward.

Compared with directly removing eyelid skin, it can provide a more natural result.

Because the change to the double eyelid line is not large, it can restore clarity without greatly affecting the original impression of the eyes.

2. Non-incisional double eyelid surgery

If there is no double eyelid at all, if a previous double eyelid has loosened, or if the line is faint like an inner double eyelid, a simple non-incisional method can still be very effective.

The recovery period is short and there is almost no scarring, so it is less burdensome.

When the skin has not sagged much, it can restore a natural eye shape without making the expression look strong.

3. Forehead lift

This surgery lifts the entire forehead upward to improve sagging of both the eyebrows and eyelids at the same time.

Rather than correcting only the area around the eyes, it brightens and rejuvenates the overall impression of the upper face.

4. Temple lift

This method lifts the outer eye area and the temple region, allowing improvement in sagging eye shape and eye-area wrinkles without directly changing the double eyelid itself.

Especially when the skin next to the eyes has loosened, a temple lift alone can make the expression much clearer and the eyes look more open.

5. Non-surgical method – thread lifting

For those who are burdened by surgery, thread lifting using medical dissolvable threads to lift the eyebrows or forehead can also be a good option.

It has the advantages of quick recovery and almost no scar burden. However, the duration of the effect varies from person to person, so if long-term improvement is desired, surgical methods should be considered.

What should you be careful about with sagging eye surgery?

Many patients ask, “Which surgery will make me look younger?”

But what matters most is finding the method that best suits your own eyes and face.

Incision surgery or creating a double eyelid line is not everything; in some cases, even a small correction can sufficiently improve the impression.

During consultations, our clinic carefully analyzes eyelid thickness, available skin, eyebrow position, and the habit of using the forehead muscles.

Based on this, we avoid unnecessary incisions or excessive correction and perform customized surgery aimed at achieving “youthfulness without looking obvious.”

Our clinic looks for the appropriate surgical method while considering naturalness and harmony.

If you undergo surgery hoping to look younger, but people around you say, “It looks like you had plastic surgery,” then that is a failed surgery.

We do not look at the eyes alone; we develop a plan while considering the forehead, eyebrows, eye-area wrinkles, and the balance of the entire face.

Also, we do not recommend the same surgery to every patient.

For some people, simple non-incisional surgery is enough, while others may need a brow lift or forehead lift.

Sometimes, a simple procedure such as thread lifting may be more appropriate than surgery.

What is important is accurately understanding the patient’s current condition and desired goals, and then suggesting the right solution.

Double eyelid surgery is not the only answer. There are various methods, including brow lifts, forehead lifts, temple lifts, and thread lifting.

The important thing is to choose the method that best suits your face and expression, so we hope you first find the approach that is right for you through a thorough consultation.

Thank you.

| This post was written for informational purposes in compliance with Article 56, Paragraphs 1 to 15 of the Medical Service Act. All treatments carry the risk of side effects and complications depending on the individual. Before treatment, please be sure to make a sufficiently detailed consultation with medical staff who have extensive experience before making your decision. |