Lower eyelid cosmetic surgery or under-eye fat repositioning, custom surgical planning is essential.

Plastic surgery specialist at JAYJUN Plastic Surgery & Dermatology Clinic Dr. Kang Hyungjoo, Director

As we age, it is a natural phenomenon for the area under the eyes to become bulging or dark circles to become darker. However, bulging fat, dark circles, and wrinkles under the eyes are the main culprits that make the impression look dark and lifeless and can create an aged appearance, making one look older than he or she actually is.

If the fat under the eyes has already bulged or the area has become partially hollow, the tear troughs have deepened, and dark circles have become darker, it is nearly impossible to improve them through personal efforts such as massage. Accordingly, those who pursue a bright and youthful appearance may consider under-eye surgery.

Under-eye surgery, a representative form of middle-age plastic surgery, includes lower blepharoplasty and under-eye fat repositioning. These two surgeries aim to improve the condition under the eyes that has changed due to aging and lifestyle habits.

Under-eye fat repositioning is a surgery that redistributes fat that protrudes or is unevenly distributed under the eyes and strengthens the conjunctiva, evenly improving the protruding under-eye area and preventing it from protruding again later.

Under-eye fat repositioning has the advantage of leaving no externally visible scar because it proceeds through only a micro-incision via the inner conjunctiva rather than directly incising the skin under the eyes. It may also be suitable for those concerned about an aged impression caused by bulging, dark under-eyes, and those who want an overall younger-looking effect.

Lower blepharoplasty shares the same purpose as under-eye fat repositioning, but differs in that it directly incises the aged skin under the eyes, removes sagging skin, pulls and strengthens the muscle, and redistributes fat. When under-eye fat repositioning alone cannot sufficiently improve an aged eye area, lower blepharoplasty can help.

Lower blepharoplasty can be performed in stages according to each individual's aging condition, so it is useful not only for those who want to prevent the under-eye area from gradually sagging and protruding, but also for those who want to improve severe under-eye wrinkles and gain a lifting effect. In some cases, lower blepharoplasty and under-eye fat grafting are performed together to achieve a higher level of youthful improvement.

Kang Hyungjoo, director of JAYJUN Plastic Surgery, said, "Both lower blepharoplasty and under-eye fat repositioning are useful middle-age procedures, but demand has recently been increasing among younger people who want to improve their impression. However, to determine which surgical method is suitable for an individual, many factors must be considered, such as the degree of under-eye aging, the condition of wrinkles and dark circles, and the cause, as well as each person's periocular bone structure, the extent and shape of the fat layer, and skin thickness, so it is best to proceed after receiving thorough consultation from experienced medical staff."