Doctor's Column

Are you worried about scarring after a sub-brow lift? I, Face Designer Dr. Kim Seong-hun, explain in detail the causes and recovery process of brow lift scars through anatomical analysis. In particular, I have summarized essential pre-surgery information at a glance, ranging from incision techniques that preserve eyebrow hair follicles to a scar care system utilizing **Aesclepion's high-end laser worth 100 million KRW (MCL31 Dermablate)**. With content thoroughly explaining everything from the incision direction to minimize scarring to the changes at each stage of recovery, this will provide practical help to those considering a sub-brow lift.

Face Designer Dr. Kim Seong-hun

Let's examine the changes in scars after a sub-brow lift,

and see what SH Plastic Surgery does to leave less scarring.

“A scar is not about leaving a record, but about erasing it with skill.”

A few days ago, a woman in her early 30s carefully sat down in the consultation room.

She greeted me brightly, saying she worked in marketing at a company,

but her first quiet words were as follows:

“Doctor, after the surgery... will it leave a lot of scars?

The results are important, of course... but I attend conferences and meetings often, and I meet a lot of people.

I'm worried that if the scar is visible, people might ask me, 'Did you get hurt somewhere?'”

Many emotions were hidden within those words:

The feeling of 'I don't really want to reveal that I had plastic surgery,'

The feeling of 'I don't want to look unkempt,'

And even the honest fear of 'Is this a change I can handle?'

Whenever I receive that question, I always answer like this:

“Scars can remain.

But we cannot leave them clearly visible.

That is a responsibility that the doctor's surgical design and technique must bear.”

Because a sub-brow lift involves an incision in the center of the face,

concerns about 'scars' are bound to be just as great as those about the surgical results.

This is especially true for people in their 30s and 40s who lead active social lives and have high expectations for their appearance.

I also had a lot of concerns in the beginning.

'Where and how should the incision be made to hide it most naturally?'

'What method would be best so that the incision line does not look like a scar over time?'

Those concerns eventually led me to delve into the eyebrow structure in greater detail than in anatomy textbooks,

and the conclusion drawn from numerous surgical experiences was clear.

There are three key points:

1. Precise understanding of the anatomical structure

2. Delicate incision line design avoiding hair follicles

3. Post-operative care to fade scars after recovery

Rather than merely an "incision line that is less visible,"

I want to create an "incision line that blends into the face more naturally as time passes."

That is why SH Plastic Surgery, immediately following surgery,

utilizes expensive Aesclepion MCL31 Dermablate laser equipment for scar resurfacing,

personalized scar-reducing injections, UV protection and ointment application for over 4 months,

and even complimentary scar treatments during regular follow-ups at 1 to 2 months,

operating a dedicated care routine tailored to the recovery speed of each individual patient.

Surgery is not the end.

I will meticulously oversee the post-operative care as well.

Later, that patient shared this with me:

“Doctor, hearing your explanation truly put my mind at ease, which helped me decide on the surgery.

The outcome is important, but knowing what process I would go through before having surgery—

I had no idea it would be this reassuring.”

Hearing those words,

I was reminded once again that scars are erased with skill.

Sincere compliments heard directly from patients in the consultation room

always bring me joy and a sense of fulfillment no matter when I hear them.

My introduction was quite long, wasn't it? ^^

Now, I will explain my insights on sub-brow lift scars in detail, yet in an easy-to-understand manner.

Anatomy of the Sub-brow Incision

Eyebrows grow in completely different directions depending on their location. Specifically, the head part grows upward, the middle part sideways, and the tail part downward.

Because of this structure, scars following a sub-brow lift are relatively well hidden along the middle to tail sections of the eyebrow,

whereas they are more easily exposed in the head section.

Designing the incision obliquely protects the hair follicles as much as possible while placing the scar close to the eyebrow line, making it visually inconspicuous.

Problems Caused by Improper Incisions

If the incision direction is incorrect, the following issues arise:

A: Hair follicles are preserved, but the scar is positioned far from the eyebrow, making it visible

B: Follicular damage during the incision → Eyebrow hair loss → Visible scarring

Occasionally, some people talk about using the Trichophytic Incision method (a special incision preserving hair follicles and roots) to allow hair to grow over the scar area;

however, because sub-brow lift surgery excises and discards tissue in the direction of the blue arrow, this type of incision

only ends up causing hair loss.

In conclusion, the "Trichophytic incision" method is meant for the scalp, and because the incision direction itself is fundamentally different in a sub-brow lift,

it can actually cause scarring and hair loss instead.

(If performed without proper expertise, you cross a river of no return..ㅠㅠ)

Sub-Brow Lift Scar Progression

SH Plastic Surgery Scar Care Know-How

Triamcinolone injection immediately after surgery to prevent hypertrophic scarring at both ends of the incision line

Recommended to apply scar ointment twice a day for more than 4 months starting from week 2

(Below is a video containing great tips on applying ointment to reduce scarring ^^)

Thorough UV protection, physical blocking is essential when going outside

Free scar management provided during clinic visits at the 1st and 2nd months

Repeated scar injections

Use of high-end laser (Asclepion MCL31 Erbium YAG)

Induces rapid regeneration by peeling without thermal damage

FAQ

Q1. Are sub-brow lift scars really invisible?

The incision is made along the skin texture beneath the eyebrows; after 2 to 3 months, it mostly fades and is hidden by the eyebrow hairs, making it barely noticeable.

Q2. Do all scars leave the exact same appearance?

No. Structurally, scars at the head of the eyebrow can be more visible, so you must consult about this part before surgery.

Q3. Does scar care have to be received at the clinic?

It is most effective to combine clinic care using high-end equipment during the early stages with self-care using ointment and sun protection later on.

Q4. Does having an eyebrow tattoo affect the scar?

It can actually be helpful.

Because the incision line for a sub-brow lift is located right beneath the eyebrow,

if you have a distinct tattoo at the head or middle part of your eyebrow,

the scar naturally blends into the tattoo line, providing a visual concealing effect.

However, it is best to avoid getting a tattoo that is excessively dark or broad before surgery.

At SH Plastic Surgery, based on the presence or absence of a tattoo,

we precisely coordinate how to design the incision line during the pre-operative consultation.

Q5. I tend to scar easily due to my constitution. Is it okay for me to have surgery?

Those who constitutionally tend to develop keloids or hypertrophic scars may have a slightly higher chance of scarring.

However, at SH Plastic Surgery, we operate an aftercare program tailored to scar-prone skin types, including scar-reducing injections and the Er:YAG laser,

to minimize risks and assist with recovery.

Q6. Can the scar disappear completely after surgery?

Rather than "erasing" a scar, what matters most is "making it invisible."

A sub-brow lift involves an incision along the skin texture right beneath the eyebrow,

and because the design is concealed by the eyebrow hair, it generally heals in a way that makes it unnoticeable in daily life.

While it is difficult to achieve a completely "zero" scar, our goal is a result that is imperceptible at a normal face-to-face conversational distance.

Now is the time to consider not just the results of a sub-brow lift, but also what is left behind.

SH Plastic Surgery designs even your recovery.

Reflections of Face Designer Kim Sung-hoon

"A scar is not something that simply remains; it is meant to be reduced, hidden, and refined. The goal is not merely leaving less of a scar,

but designing it so that even if a scar exists, it remains invisible—that is my dedication and the approach of SH Plastic Surgery."

Facial Designer Sung-hoon Kim

(2) Sub-brow lift scars! Can they really be erased? - YouTube

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.