Can the Fox Eye Lift Angle Be Adjusted? A Look at Scar Length & Location

Can the Fox Eye Lift Angle Be Adjusted? A Look at Scar Length & Location

Demand for lifting the outer eye corner is surging. In this third installment of our Fox Eye Surgery series, we will cover how the angle of the lift can be adjusted.

Hello, this is Dr. Kim Yong-woo, Head Doctor of Returning Plastic Surgery.

The demand for outer eye corner lifts is rapidly increasing, and many patients visit us after having consultations at several other clinics. As I constantly emphasize, this is a surgery that can only succeed if performed with the correct method, which makes it crucial to visit a clinic that performs it accurately. It seems many clinics are attempting to lift the eye corner using simplified methods, which consequently leads to a high rate of failure.

"Doctor, is there a non-incisional way to lift my eye corners?"

This is a question I hear frequently during consultations. I will give you a candid answer.

I have not yet found such a method, and I don't know if someone else out there truly has. However, from my knowledge as a board-certified plastic surgeon, I believe a non-incisional approach is impossible.

The outer corner of the eye is firmly anchored to the bone by the lateral canthal tendon, and our bodies are under the constant force of gravity 24 hours a day. To overcome both of these forces, the lateral canthal tendon must be released, and a strong adhesion must be created that can withstand the pull of gravity. The method I devised to achieve this is the outer eye corner lift using lateral canthal tendon dissection and Elasticum® thread.

*For the principles of the Fox Eye Surgery, please refer to my previous post. [Link to Previous Post 1: https://blog.naver.com/psdrkyw/223445826259]

*For successful case studies of the Fox Eye Surgery, see my other post. [Link to Previous Post 2: https://blog.naver.com/psdrkyw/223726957885]

Fox Eye Surgery: Incision Location and Length

Incisions are under 2cm in the temple area and under 5mm at the outer corner of the eye.

The incisions are placed in the temple area and at the outer corner of the eye. The temple incision is about 2cm long and hidden within the hairline, while the incision at the eye corner is around 5mm, similar to a standard lateral canthoplasty incision.

The temple incision serves as the anchor point for the Elasticum® thread. Through the outer corner incision, we dissect the lateral canthal tendon. This releases all tension, allowing us to grasp the tarsal plate with the Elasticum® thread and pull it toward the anchor point in the temple.

Since the temple incision is within the hair, scarring is not a major concern. The outer corner incision is also placed along the natural crease of the eye, so there is little need to worry about visible scars.

Fox Eye Surgery Scars

This is the scar from the outer corner incision. It is not very visible after the stitches are removed at 2 weeks. Even at 2 months, when scars tend to be most noticeable, it is barely visible unless you look very closely. By the 6-month mark, it is almost impossible to find a trace of it.

How the Lifting Angle is Adjusted

The most common question I receive during consultations for this procedure is whether the angle of the lift can be adjusted. This is also the aspect I pay the most attention to.

As explained before, the Fox Eye Surgery has an anchor point (in the temple) and a target point (the tarsal plate at the outer eye corner). The target point is already set. Therefore, we can control the degree to which the eye corner is lifted by adjusting the location of the anchor point within the temple.

Typically, male patients prefer a lower angle, while some Western patients request a very high angle. We can determine the final canthal tilt to be anywhere between 10 and 20 degrees.

 

 

 

• Image 1: 40-year-old male, 1 month post-op. Lifted approx. 10 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Image 2: 30-year-old, 1 month post-op. Lifted approx. 12 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Image 3: 20-year-old male, 3 months post-op. Lifted approx. 14 degrees.

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• Image 4: 20-year-old male, 3 months post-op. Lifted approx. 15 degrees.

 

 

• Image 5: 40-year-old female, 2 months post-op. Lifted approx. 16 degrees.
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• Image 6: 30-year-old Western female, 1 month post-op. Lifted approx. 18 degrees.

 

A Two-in-One Benefit: Why Does the Aegyosal (Under-Eye Roll) Look Bigger?!

A particularly noticeable change, especially in the first male patient, is the size of the aegyosal. When we pull the lateral canthus upward, the orbicularis oculi muscle located in front of the tarsal plate gets tightened. This tension has the effect of making the aegyosal appear fuller and more defined.

You can see this for yourself right now. Gently pull the outer corner of your eye upwards and outwards with your finger, and you will see your under-eye roll become more prominent. It’s an unexpected but welcome benefit of the outer eye corner lift.

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So far, we've explored the scars and angle adjustment methods for the outer eye corner lift (Fox Eye Surgery). I hope this has been helpful for the many people doing extensive online and in-person research to find the right solution. I will strive to create the canthal tilt that so many of you hope for.

Thank you! This has been Dr. Kim Yong-woo of Returning Plastic Surgery.