Erbium Lower Blepharoplastyin Gangnam, Seoul
Lower blepharoplasty rejuvenates the lower eyelid by addressing under-eye bags together with loose or wrinkled lower-lid skin. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, the fine incision just beneath the lash line is made with an erbium laser rather than a blade, which can help reduce bleeding and support a smoother recovery. Excess skin is redraped and orbital fat is repositioned or conservatively reduced. It is performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation. (Results vary by individual.)
Who it’s for
- Under-eye bags accompanied by loose or wrinkled lower-lid skin
- A tired look from sagging that persists even when rested
- Cases where fat repositioning alone would not address the excess skin
If skin is firm with little excess, transconjunctival fat repositioning may suit better; the right approach is decided at consultation.
How it works
With age the lower-lid skin can loosen and orbital fat can bulge, creating bags and shadowing. Through a fine incision made just below the lash line with an erbium laser (a subciliary skin approach), the surgeon addresses the fat — repositioning it over the bony rim to fill the tear-trough hollow, or reducing a small amount where needed — and then trims and redrapes the excess skin. The erbium laser is used to make the incision with the aim of less bleeding and a fine scar line kept hidden under the lashes. Fine sutures close the incision.
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01A skin approach, just under the lashes
The incision is placed just below the lash line (subciliary), giving access to both the loose skin and the orbital fat — something an inner-lid (transconjunctival) route cannot trim.
02The incision is made with an erbium laser
Rather than a blade, an erbium laser makes the fine incision, with the aim of less bleeding during surgery and a discreet scar line kept under the lashes.
03Fat repositioned, not simply removed
Bulging orbital fat is repositioned over the bony rim to fill the tear-trough hollow, or a small amount is conservatively reduced, rather than removed aggressively, which helps avoid a hollowed look.
04Skin redraped, then fine sutures
The excess skin is trimmed and redraped and closed with fine sutures, under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation.
Treatment areas
- Loose lower-lid skin
- Excess or wrinkled skin below the lash line, trimmed and redraped.
- Under-eye bags
- Bulging orbital fat, repositioned over the rim or conservatively reduced.
- Lid–cheek junction
- The transition between the lower lid and cheek is smoothed.
What the procedure is like
- 1Consultation, eye assessment and design
- 2Local anesthesia (with optional light sedation)
- 3Subciliary incision just below the lash line with the erbium laser
- 4Repositioning or conservative reduction of orbital fat, then redraping and trimming of excess skin
- 5Fine suture closure, recovery and aftercare guidance
Time: The procedure takes about 40–60 minutes.
Recovery & aftercare
- Performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation; you can usually go home the same day.
- Because this is a skin approach, fine sutures are placed under the lash line and are typically removed at about 5–7 days.
- Expect temporary swelling and possible bruising for several days to about two weeks; cold compresses and keeping the head elevated help.
- Side effects such as swelling, bruising, asymmetry, a dry-eye sensation or, uncommonly, changes in lid position may occur and are explained at consultation.
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0 Surgery day
Performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation; you usually go home the same day with tapes and mild tightness around the lower lids.
DAY 1-3 Swelling & bruising
Swelling and possible bruising are usually most noticeable now; cold compresses and keeping the head elevated help.
DAY 5-7 Suture removal
The fine sutures under the lash line are typically removed at about 5–7 days, and light makeup can often resume as advised.
WEEK 1-2 Settling
Much of the visible swelling and bruising eases over one to two weeks, though subtle swelling can linger.
1-3 MONTHS Contour refines
The lower-lid contour continues to settle and refine over roughly one to three months. (Results vary by individual.)
Sessions & results
This is usually a single procedure. Swelling settles over weeks and the lower-lid contour refines over about 1–3 months. (Results vary by individual.)
How it compares
These options address the under-eye differently, so the right one depends on how much loose skin and fat you have. This is not a ranking.
| Comparison | Erbium Lower Blepharoplasty | Transconjunctival fat repositioning | Under-eye filler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Subciliary skin incision — skin and fat | Inner-lid incision — fat only, no skin removed | Injectable, non-surgical |
| Best for | Bags with loose or wrinkled lower-lid skin | Bags with firm skin and little excess | Mild hollowing, temporary smoothing |
| Anesthesia | Local, sometimes with light sedation | Local, sometimes with light sedation | Topical or local |
| Recovery | Sutures ~5–7 days; bruising ~1–2 weeks | No external sutures; often quicker | Little downtime |
| Longevity | Long-lasting; aging continues | Long-lasting for the fat treated | Temporary — months |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary swelling and bruising around the lower lids
- Tenderness, tightness, or a dry, gritty eye sensation for a time
- Asymmetry between the two sides
- Uncommonly, changes in lower-lid position (such as scleral show or ectropion) that may need review
- Scarring; the incision is placed under the lash line to be discreet
When to take extra care
- Bleeding disorders or blood-thinning medication — tell your doctor
- A history of significant dry eye or thyroid eye disease
- A tendency to keloid or difficulty with wound healing
- Smoking, which can affect healing
- Unrealistic expectations, or a revision after previous eyelid surgery
Whether lower blepharoplasty suits you is confirmed at consultation. Effects and downtime vary by individual, and side effects may occur.
Your care at QD Clinic
Performed by a board-certified surgeon
Your surgery is performed and medically reviewed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Individualized surgical planning
The approach — how much skin and fat to address, and whether to reposition or reduce the fat — is planned around your anatomy and goals.
Care in your language
Consultation in English, with 中文 and 日本語 support arranged on request — including questions before you travel.
A short walk from Gangnam Station
Central Seoul location with guidance from the airport and nearby hotels, and hours shown in KST.
Pricing
Pricing depends on your anatomy and plan. Please consult us for a personalized quote.
Frequently asked questions
Fat repositioning through the inner lid suits bags with firm skin, while lower blepharoplasty also trims loose or wrinkled skin through a skin incision. Which suits you is decided at consultation.
The erbium laser is used to make the incision with the aim of less bleeding and a fine scar line hidden under the lashes. Suitability is decided per person.
It is usually performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation, as discussed at consultation.
The incision sits just below the lash line, where the fine scar is intended to be discreet as it heals; healing time varies by individual.
Sutures are typically removed around 5–7 days, swelling and possible bruising last several days to about two weeks, and the contour refines over roughly 1–3 months. (Results vary by individual.)
Yes. Our doctors consult in English directly, and 中文 / 日本語 can be arranged in advance. Tell us your language on WhatsApp before your visit.
Often considered together
Treatments that are sometimes planned alongside this one, decided at consultation.
+Upper Blepharoplasty
Treating the upper and lower lids together is sometimes planned to balance the whole eye; sequencing is decided by your surgeon.
+Fat Grafting
Where the tear-trough or cheek is also hollow, adding your own purified fat can restore volume the lid surgery alone does not.
+Non-surgical skin tightening
For fine, crepey lower-lid skin, an energy-based skin treatment may be considered separately, decided at consultation.
For international patients
Consultation in English / 中文 / 日本語 · WhatsApp · WeChat · KakaoTalk · a 4-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon / Nonhyeon Station (hours in KST) · card payment.
For International PatientsMedically reviewed by Dr. Sahyeok Hong, board-certified plastic surgeon and Director of QD Clinic.