2025-09-10
#2 Correcting Asymmetrical Eyes with Sub-Brow Lift
Asymmetrical eyes can be effectively corrected with a sub-brow lift after identifying the root cause, such as eyelid thickness, eyebrow height, or muscle differences.
If you are concerned about asymmetrical eyes, you must first find the cause. There are various reasons, such as differences in eyelid skin thickness, eyebrow height, and the muscles that open the eyes. After an accurate diagnosis, a sub-brow lift (or brow lift) can effectively correct double eyelid asymmetry. Face Designer Kim Seong-hoon (Director of SH Plastic Surgery)
Hello. I am Kim Seong-hoon, a face designer.
Every morning when I stand in front of the mirror to brush my teeth,
‘Why is my face so asymmetrical?’
‘Is it because I only sleep on my right side?’
‘Does my part being shifted to the right make it look that way?’
‘Or is it because I am right-handed?’
‘Is it a habit to sweep my hair behind my right ear?’
A myriad of thoughts flash through my mind. (Is it just me? ^^;; )
While no human can be perfectly symmetrical,
minimizing asymmetry can create a neater and cleaner impression.
Patients who come for consultations always say something specific:
‘I try to only take pictures from my right side.’
It seems that everyone is constantly concerned about asymmetry in their daily lives.
Among these concerns, many people point to their eyes as the source of asymmetry.
Perhaps because the eyes occupy the largest part of our impression,
concerns about eye asymmetry seem to be the most common.
(The next in line is a crooked nose! I will share stories about crooked noses on the blog later!! ^^)
To those who visit with concerns about what is commonly called ‘uneven eyes,’ I ask:
‘Have you ever considered that your eyebrow positions might be different?’
Today,
I will try to explain why one double eyelid keeps loosening or why your face looks different in photos,
not by focusing on the eyes themselves, but on the ‘structures above the eyes.’
And as a solution, the sub-brow lift procedure,
I will slowly unfold that story.
This video is to help those who are new to or unfamiliar with the sub-brow lift procedure.
If you watch the video first, today's story will be easier to understand ^^
‘Only my right eye looks strange. What's different?’ Patient case: Female, 30s
CASE
‘Only my right eye looks strange. 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 strange. The double eyelid line seems similar, but… it feels somewhat heavy and stuffy.’
Initially, she thought it was double eyelid asymmetry.
In the photos, the right eye looked a bit puffier,
but when she closed her eyes, there was no significant difference in the height of the double eyelids.
However, what I focused on was the distance between the eye and the eyebrow.
The right eye even appeared further away.
This is a sign that it is not simply a double eyelid issue.
Causes of Asymmetrical Eyes
‘The cause was not the eye, but above the eye.’
Upon closer inspection,
the sagging of the right eyelid was more severe,
and because of this, the eyebrow was compensating by moving higher up on its own.
Since the amount of pupil exposure was similar on both sides,
there was no major problem with the strength of the eye-opening muscles themselves.
In other words, the ‘position of the eyebrow’ was the key factor creating the eye asymmetry.
Two common solutions that can be used in this CASE
1. Make the right double eyelid higher with a non-incisional method to make the eye clearer.
2. Keep the right double eyelid height as is and remove some sagging skin with an incisional method.
Both methods help to some extent,
but the core of the problem is not resolved.
Especially the first method,
which artificially creates a higher double eyelid line over the sagging eyelid,
can actually emphasize the puffiness of the eyelid
and result in an unnatural appearance.
So, my solution as a face designer, Kim Seong-hoon, is!
To create a more natural face based on an understanding of the facial structure.
Face Designer Kim Seong-hoon's Solution!
SH Plastic Surgery Director Kim Seong-hoon's Solution – ‘Sub-brow lift only on the right side’
Ultimately, in this patient's case,
the problem 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 balanced,
and the patient looked in the mirror and said:
‘I don't know exactly what was done, but that strange heavy feeling in my right eye is gone now.’ Patient's words after surgery, female in her 30s
This case illustrates the importance of looking at the entire structure above the eye.
Asymmetrical eyes are not simply a matter of double eyelid height.
Therefore,
instead of simply raising the line or making the eyes bigger,
it is necessary to structurally diagnose the cause of the asymmetry
and approach it accordingly
to create ‘natural and long-lasting results.’
And that beginning is,
looking above the eye, not at the eye itself.
Below, we show a side-by-side comparison of before and after surgery.
Reasons for approaching with a sub-brow lift
‘Anatomical’ causes of asymmetrical eyes
Difference in orbital bone height
Difference in strength of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle (eye-opening muscle)
Eyebrow height asymmetry
Left-right difference in eyelid skin thickness
Differences in eye-opening habits, facial expression patterns
History of facial paralysis or nerve damage
History of double eyelid surgery or scars
In addition, there are various factors such as the degree of eyeball protrusion, skull rotation, and skin elasticity.
Cases where a sub-brow lift can help
When one eyebrow is positioned lower, causing the double eyelid to be pressed down
When the amount of forehead muscle used differs on both sides when opening the eyes
When you want to restore the line without revision double eyelid surgery
Face Designer Kim Seong-hoon's Reflection
The eyes should not be viewed in isolation. The true cause is revealed by looking at the interconnected structure of the eyelids, eyebrows, and forehead muscles.
Patients often think that double eyelid asymmetry is a problem with the eye itself,
but in reality, it often stems from asymmetry in the structures above the eye.
I view the eye not as ‘what is seen’ but as ‘the result of pressure it receives.’
If the eyebrow is lowered, the eyelid is pressed down, the line becomes blurry, and the entire impression changes.
If the cause is not resolved even with repeated double eyelid surgery, the results will inevitably be temporary.
FAQ
Q1. Are sub-brow lift and brow lift the same surgery?
A. Yes, they are basically the same surgery.
‘Sub-brow lift’ refers to a surgery that lifts the eyebrow upwards through an incision below the eyebrow, and ‘brow lift’ is a simplified term for that surgery.
The terminology used may vary depending on the hospital or doctor, and the method can also vary depending on the incision location or scope, so it is always best to get a precise explanation before surgery.
Q2. If I have asymmetrical eyes, do I have to have surgery on both sides?
A. No. If the cause is only on one side, surgery on that area alone is sufficient.
If the cause of asymmetry is in the eyelid or eyebrow position, only that side is subtly lifted and corrected.
There is no need to operate on both sides, and SH Plastic Surgery pursues natural balance with minimal incision.
Q3. Will a sub-brow lift leave a noticeable scar?
A. Since the incision is made along the natural line below the eyebrow, it is mostly unnoticeable.
The incision line is designed to follow the eyebrow's texture and skin wrinkles, so the scar is naturally hidden.
Furthermore, we provide intensive scar management with ointments and lasers after surgery, so in most cases, it can be sufficiently covered with makeup.
Q4. Can a sub-brow lift restore the line without double eyelid surgery?
A. Yes, if the double eyelid is pressed down, simply lifting the eyebrow can revive the line.
A significant portion of statements like ‘I think my double eyelid has loosened’ are actually cases where the eyelid has sagged and the line is covered.
In such cases, simply lifting the eyebrow slightly, without double eyelid surgery, can naturally restore the double eyelid line.
Q5. How long is the recovery period for a sub-brow lift?
A. It takes 5-7 days until suture removal, and makeup is possible 2 weeks after surgery.
A sub-brow lift is a relatively superficial skin-focused surgery, so recovery is quick.
Swelling begins to subside from the 3rd day, and daily life can be resumed within 1-2 weeks.
SH Plastic Surgery also provides customized swelling and scar care programs after surgery.
‘We do not unconditionally operate only on the eyes.’
It is easy to think that if you see asymmetrical eyes, operating on the eyes first will solve the problem.
However, the real problem may be above the eyes.
A sub-brow lift or brow lift is a surgery that addresses that structural cause.
I always say,
‘Surgery should be done on the structure, not the eye.’
Even a single eyebrow position can significantly change the face.
– Sincerely, Face Designer Kim Seong-hoon
Next, I will tell you about sub-brow lift scars.
Watch the video first and see you in the next story ^^
SH Plastic Surgery Clinic
※ This article discloses actual before and after surgery images for accurate information delivery.
These photos have been published with the patient's consent, and we inform you that bruising and swelling may vary for each individual, and there may be differences.