Doctor's Column

If you are concerned about asymmetrical eyes, you must first find the cause. There are various causes, such as eyelid skin thickness, eyebrow height, and differences in the muscles that open the eyes. After an accurate diagnosis, double eyelid asymmetry can be effectively corrected through a sub-brow lift (or brow lift).

Face Designer Kim Sung-hoon (Director of SH Plastic Surgery)

Hello. I am Face Designer Kim Sung-hoon.

Every morning, when I stand in front of the mirror while brushing my teeth,

"Why is my face so asymmetrical?"

"Is it because I only sleep on my right side?"

"Does it look that way because my part is skewed to the right?"

"Or is it because I'm right-handed?"

"Is it because I have a habit of tucking my hair behind my right ear?"

All kinds of thoughts cross my mind. (Is it just me? ^^;;)

We humans cannot all be completely symmetrical,

but if we reduce asymmetry as much as possible, we can give off a neater and cleaner impression.

There is something that patients who come for consultations always say.

'I only try to take photos from the right side.'

That is how much concerns about asymmetry seem to always be on everyone's mind in daily life.

Among them, many people point to their eyes as their concern regarding asymmetry.

Perhaps because the eyes make up the largest part of our impression,

concerns about eye asymmetry seem to be the most common.

(The next on the list is a crooked nose! I will share a story about crooked noses through the blog later as well!! ^^)

To those who visit the clinic worried about what are commonly called mismatched eyes, I ask:

"Have you ever thought that your eyebrow positions might be different?"

Today,

I would like to explain the reason why one double eyelid keeps coming undone or why your face looks different in photos

not through the eyes, but through the 'structures above the eyes.'

And as a solution for that, a sub-brow lift—

I will slowly unfold that story.

For those who are hearing about a sub-brow lift for the first time or aren't very familiar with it, here is a video to help you understand;

If you watch the video first, it will be a bit easier to understand today's story ^^

“Only my right eye looks strange. What's different about it?”

Patient Case: Female in her 30s

CASE

“Only the right side looks weird. What's different?”

A few days ago, a female patient in her 30s visited the clinic.

Female patient in her 30s: “Strangely, only my right eye keeps looking weird.

The double eyelid lines seem similar... but it feels somewhat stuffy and heavy.”

At first, she came in thinking it was an asymmetry in her double eyelids.

In the photos, the right eye looked a bit thicker and puffier,

but when she actually closed her eyes, there was no significant difference in the height of both double eyelid lines.

However, what caught my attention was the distance between the eye and the eyebrow.

Rather, the distance was visibly greater on the right side.

This is a sign that it is not simply an issue with the double eyelids.

Cause of the Asymmetric Eyes

“The cause was not the eye, but above the eye”

Upon closer examination,

the sagging of the right eyelid was more severe,

and because of that, the eyebrow was lifting itself higher as a compensatory movement.

Since the exposure of the pupils was similar on both sides,

there was no major issue with the strength of the eyelid-lifting muscles itself.

In other words, the 'position of the eyebrow' was the key factor causing the eye asymmetry.

Two Common Solutions That Could Be Used in This Case

1. Raising the right double eyelid line non-incisionally to make the eye look sharper

2. Keeping the height of the right double eyelid line as is, and removing some of the sagging skin using an incisional method

While both methods help to some extent,

the essence of the problem is not resolved.

In particular, the first method,

which involves artificially creating a higher double eyelid line over the sagging eyelid,

can actually emphasize the thickness of the eyelid further

and result in an unnatural appearance.

Therefore, the solution from me, Face Designer Sung-hoon Kim!

Lies in creating a more natural face based on an understanding of facial structure.

Face Designer Kim Sung-hoon's Solution!

Director Kim Sung-hoon of SH Plastic Surgery's Solution – “Sub-brow lift on the right side only”

Ultimately, in this patient's case,

the issue was not the double eyelid, but the structural sagging above the eyelid,

so we decided to perform a sub-brow lift only on the right side.

After the surgery,

the impression of both eyes became much more natural and well-balanced,

and looking in the mirror, the patient said:

“I don't know exactly what was done,

but that strange heavy feeling I had only in my right eye is completely gone now.”

Words from a female patient in her 30s after surgery

This case shows that one must look at the entire structure above the eyes.

It demonstrates that asymmetrical eyes are not simply a matter of the height of the double eyelid line.

That is why,

rather than simply raising the line or making the eyes bigger,

only by structurally diagnosing why the asymmetry occurred

and taking an appropriate approach

can we create ‘natural and long-lasting results.’

And that begins with

looking not just at the eyes, but above the eyes.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of before and after surgery.

The reason for approaching with a sub-brow lift

"Anatomical" causes of asymmetrical eyes

Difference in facial bone (orbit) height

Difference in strength of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle (eye-opening muscle)

Asymmetry in eyebrow height

Left-right difference in eyelid skin thickness

Differences in eye-opening habits and facial expression patterns

History of facial paralysis or nerve damage

History of double eyelid surgery or scarring

Besides these, there are various factors such as the degree of eyeball protrusion, skull rotation, and skin elasticity.

Cases that can be resolved with a sub-brow lift

When the double eyelid is pressed down because only one eyebrow is positioned lower

When the amount of forehead muscle used on each side differs when opening the eyes

When you want to restore the line without double eyelid revision surgery

Reflections of Face Designer Kim Sung-hoon

You should not look at the eyes solely on their own.

You can see the real cause only by looking at the interconnected structure extending to the eyelids, eyebrows, and forehead muscles.

Patients often think that double eyelid asymmetry is a problem with the eyes themselves,

but in reality, it often stems from asymmetry in the structures above the eyes.

I see the eyes not as a "visible place," but as the "result of the pressure they receive."

If the eyebrows are drooping, the eyelids get pressed down, the line blurs, and the entire impression changes.

Even with repeated corrections through double eyelid surgery, the results are bound to be temporary if the root cause is not resolved.

FAQ

Q1. Are a sub-brow lift and a brow lift the same surgery?

A. Yes, basically they are the same surgery.

"Sub-brow lift" refers to a surgery that pulls the eyebrows upward through an incision below the eyebrows, and "brow lift" is a simplified term for that procedure.

The terminology used may vary depending on the hospital or doctor, and the methods also vary depending on the location and scope of the incision, so it is best to receive a precise explanation before the surgery.

Q2. I have asymmetrical eyes, do I definitely have to undergo surgery on both sides?

A. No. If the cause lies on only one side, operating only on that area is sufficient.

If the cause of the asymmetry is in the position of the eyelid or eyebrow, it is corrected by minutely lifting only that side.

There is no need to operate on both sides, and SH Plastic Surgery pursues natural balance with minimal incisions.

Q3. Does a sub-brow lift leave a lot of scars?

A. Because the incision is made along the grain below the eyebrow, it is mostly unnoticeable.

The incision line is designed to match the grain of the eyebrows and skin wrinkles, so scars are naturally concealed.

In addition, since we provide intensive scar management with ointments and lasers after surgery, it can be sufficiently covered with makeup in most cases.

Q4. Can the line be restored with a sub-brow lift without double eyelid surgery?

A. Yes, if it is a pressed-down double eyelid, just lifting the eyebrow can revive the line.

In many cases where people say, "I think my double eyelid has come undone," the line is actually just hidden because the eyelid has sagged.

In this case, slightly lifting just the eyebrow without double eyelid surgery will naturally restore the double eyelid line.

Q5. How long is the recovery period for a sub-brow lift?

A. It takes 5 to 7 days until suture removal, and makeup is possible starting 2 weeks after surgery.

Sub-brow lift involves surgery mainly on the skin layer, so recovery is relatively fast.

Swelling begins to subside from the 3rd day, and a return to daily life is possible within 1 to 2 weeks.

SH Plastic Surgery provides customized swelling management and scar care programs even after surgery.

"We do not unconditionally operate only on the eyes."

It is easy to think that asymmetrical eyes can be resolved simply by operating on the eyes first.

However, the real problem may lie above the eyes.

Sub-brow lift and brow lift are surgeries that address those structural causes.

I always say:

“Surgery should be done on the structure, not the eyes.”

Even just the position of the eyebrows can make a significant difference to the face.

– Sincerely, Facial Designer Sung-hoon Kim

In the next episode, I will talk about sub-brow lift scars.

Please watch the video first, and I will see you in the next story ^^

SH Plastic Surgery Clinic

※ This post reveals actual before and after photos of the surgery to provide accurate information.

Please note that these photos were posted with the patient's consent, and bruising and swelling may vary and differ from person to person.