2025-09-12
#3 What happens to the scar after a sub-brow lift?
Worried about scars after a sub-brow lift? Dr. Kim Sung-hoon, a facial designer, explains the causes and recovery process of eyebrow lift scars, including a follicle-preserving incision method and a scar management system using Aesclepion's high-end laser (MCL31 Dermablate).

Are you worried about scars after a sub-brow lift? I, Dr. Kim Sung-hoon, a facial designer, will provide a detailed explanation of the causes and recovery process of eyebrow lift scars, anatomically analyzed. This includes information you must know before surgery, such as an incision method that preserves eyebrow hair follicles and a scar management system utilizing Aesclepion's high-end laser (MCL31 Dermablate), valued at over 100 million won. This content meticulously explains everything from the incision direction to minimize scars to changes at each recovery stage, offering practical help to those considering a sub-brow lift. – Dr. Kim Sung-hoon, Facial Designer
Let's examine the changes in scars after a sub-brow lift and find out how SH Plastic Surgery manages to leave fewer scars.
‘Scars are not meant to be recorded; they are meant to be erased with technology.’
A few days ago, a woman in her early thirties cautiously sat down in my consultation room.
She greeted me brightly, saying she worked in marketing,
but her first words, spoken quietly, were:
‘Doctor, after the surgery… will there be a lot of scars?
The results are important, of course… but I often attend meetings and meet many people.
I'm worried that if a scar is visible, people might ask, ‘Did you get hurt somewhere?’’
Many feelings were hidden in her words.
The desire ‘not to reveal that I had plastic surgery,’
The desire ‘not to appear as if I haven't taken care of myself,’
And the honest fear, ‘Will this be a change I can handle?’
I always answer that question the same way:
‘Scars can remain.But they cannot be left visible.That is the responsibility of the surgeon's design and skill.’
Since a sub-brow lift involves an incision in the center of the face,
concerns about ‘scars’ can be as significant as the surgical results.
This is especially true for age groups like those in their 30s and 40s, who are actively engaged in social life and have high expectations for their appearance.
I, too, had many concerns initially.
‘Where and how should I make the incision to hide it most naturally?’
‘What method would be best to prevent the incision line from looking like a scar over time?’
These concerns ultimately led me to delve into the eyebrow structure in more detail than any anatomy textbook,
and the conclusion drawn from countless surgical experiences was clear.
The key lies in three things:
1. Accurate understanding of anatomical structure2. Delicate incision line design that avoids hair follicles3. Post-operative care to fade scars after recovery
I want to create not just ‘less visible incision lines,’
but ‘incision lines that blend more naturally into the face over time.’
That's why SH Plastic Surgery operates a dedicated management routine tailored to each patient's recovery speed, from immediately after surgery:
Scar peeling using Aesclepion MCL31 Dermablate laser equipment,
Customized scar injection,
Sunscreen application and ointment for over 4 months,
And free scar treatment during regular visits at 1-2 months.
Surgery is not the end.We will meticulously take care of post-operative management.
Later, that patient told me:
‘Doctor, I felt so reassured after your explanation that I decided to have the surgery.
The results are important, but knowing what process I would go through before surgery
made me feel so much more secure than I expected.’
Hearing that,
I was reminded once again that scars are erased with technology.
Receiving heartfelt compliments directly from patients in the consultation room
always makes me happy and fulfilled.
My introduction was a bit long, wasn't it? ^^
Now, I will explain my thoughts on sub-brow lift scars in detail, but in an easier-to-understand way.
Anatomy of a sub-brow incision
Eyebrows grow in completely different directions depending on their position. Specifically, the front part grows upwards, the middle part sideways, and the tail part downwards.
Due to this structure, scars after a sub-brow lift are relatively well hidden in the middle to tail part of the eyebrow,
Conversely, they are easily exposed in the front part.

Designing the incision obliquely maximizes the protection of hair follicles, and since the scar is closer to the eyebrow line, it is visually less noticeable.
Problems caused by incorrect incisions
If the incision direction is incorrect, the following problems can occur:

A: Hair follicles are preserved, but the scar is far from the eyebrow and noticeable.
B: Hair follicle damage during incision → eyebrow hair loss → scar exposure.

Occasionally, some people talk about the Trichophytic Incision method (a special incision method that preserves hair follicles and roots) to make hair grow in the scar area.
However, in sub-brow lift surgery, the tissue in the direction of the blue arrow is cut and discarded, so this type of incision
would actually only cause hair loss.
In conclusion, the 'Trichophytic incision' method is for the scalp, and since the incision direction itself is different in sub-brow lift surgery,
it can actually cause scars and hair loss.
(If performed without expertise, you will cross a point of no return… ㅜㅜ)
Sub-brow lift scar progression

SH Plastic Surgery's scar management know-how
Triamcinolone injection immediately after surgery to prevent hypertrophic scars at both ends of the incision line.
Scar ointment recommended twice a day for over 4 months, starting 2 weeks later.
(Below is a video with tips for applying ointment to reduce scars ^^)
Thorough UV protection, physical blocking essential when going out.
Free scar management provided during visits at 1 and 2 months.
Repeated scar injections.
Use of high-end laser (Aesclepion MCL31 Erbium YAG).
Peeling without thermal damage to induce rapid regeneration.



FAQ
Q1. Are sub-brow lift scars really invisible?
The incision is made along the skin texture below the eyebrow, and after 2-3 months, most fade and are covered by eyebrow hairs, making them unnoticeable.
Q2. Do all scars remain in the same shape?
No. Due to the structure of the front part of the eyebrow, scars may be more visible there, so you must consult about this area before surgery.
Q3. Is scar management always necessary at the hospital?
It is most effective to combine initial treatment with high-end equipment at the hospital, followed by self-care using ointment and sun protection.
Q4. Does eyebrow tattooing affect scars?
It can actually be helpful.
Since the incision line for a sub-brow lift is located directly below the eyebrow,
if the tattoo is clear in the front or middle part of the eyebrow,
the scar naturally blends into the tattoo line, creating a visually concealing effect.
However, it is best to avoid getting tattoos that are too dark or too wide before surgery.
At SH Plastic Surgery, we meticulously adjust how the incision line will be designed based on the presence or absence of tattoos
during pre-surgical consultations.
Q5. I tend to scar easily due to my constitution; can I still have the surgery?
Individuals with a constitutional tendency for keloids or hypertrophic scars may have a slightly higher chance of scar formation.
However, SH Plastic Surgery operates a post-operative care program that considers scar tendencies, including scar injections and Erbium YAG laser, to
reduce risks and aid recovery.
Q6. Can scars completely disappear after surgery?
It is more important to ‘make scars invisible’ than to ‘eliminate them.’
A sub-brow lift involves an incision along the skin texture directly below the eyebrow,
and because the design is covered by eyebrow hairs, most scars heal to be unnoticeable in daily life.
While it is difficult for them to become completely ‘zero,’ we aim for results that are not noticeable at conversational distances.
Now is the time to consider not only the results of a sub-brow lift but also what remains afterward. SH Plastic Surgery designs your recovery.
Dr. Kim Sung-hoon's Reflection, Facial Designer
‘Scars are not simply left behind; they are reduced, hidden, and complemented. The goal is not to have fewer scars,
but to design them so they are invisible even if they exist – that is my concern and SH Plastic Surgery's approach.’
Kim Sung-hoon, Facial Designer

(2) Sub-brow lift scars! Can they really be eliminated? - YouTube
SH Plastic Surgery Clinic
※ This article discloses actual before and after photos of surgery for accurate information delivery.
These photos were published with the patient's consent, and please note that bruising and swelling may vary and differ from person to person.