Erbium Under-Eye Fat Repositioningin Gangnam, Seoul
Under-eye fat repositioning treats eye bags by moving the fat that bulges under the eye down into the hollow of the tear trough, smoothing the transition between the lid and cheek. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, this is performed through the inside of the lower eyelid (transconjunctival) using an erbium laser rather than a blade, so there is no external skin incision. It is carried out under local anesthesia. (Results vary by individual.)
Who it’s for
- Under-eye bags with a hollow (tear trough) below them
- Puffiness that can look tired even when well rested
- Younger patients with good skin elasticity and little excess skin
If there is significant loose or excess lower-eyelid skin, a lower blepharoplasty may suit better; this is decided at consultation.
How it works
The bulge under the eye is usually orbital fat that has become more prominent. Working through the inside of the lower eyelid (a transconjunctival approach), the surgeon uses an erbium laser to open a fine path and release the fat pockets, then repositions that fat downward over the bony rim to fill the tear-trough hollow, and secures it. Because the approach is inside the lid, there is no external skin incision or visible scar line. Fat may be repositioned and, in some cases, a small amount reduced, depending on your anatomy.
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01The bulge is orbital fat
The puffiness under the eye is usually orbital fat that has become more prominent, while the groove just below it — the tear trough — sits hollow, so treating only one of the two can leave an uneven step.
02Reached from inside the lid
Access is through the inner surface of the lower eyelid (a transconjunctival approach), so no incision is made in the outer skin and there is no external scar line.
03Repositioned, not simply removed
Rather than only taking fat away, the released fat is moved downward over the bony rim to fill the hollow and smooth the transition between lid and cheek, then secured in place.
04Erbium laser under local anesthesia
An erbium laser opens the fine path and releases the fat pockets, and the procedure is carried out under local anesthesia; depending on your anatomy a small amount of fat may also be reduced.
Treatment areas
- Under-eye bags
- The bulging orbital fat that is repositioned.
- Tear trough
- The hollow below the bag, filled by the repositioned fat.
- 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)
- 3Transconjunctival access with the erbium laser (inside the lower lid)
- 4Release and repositioning of the orbital fat over the rim
- 5Recovery and aftercare guidance (no external stitches)
Time: The procedure takes about 30–60 minutes.
Recovery & aftercare
- Performed under local anesthesia; you can usually go home the same day.
- Expect temporary swelling and possible bruising for several days to about two weeks; because the incision is inside the lid, there are no external stitches.
- Cold compresses and keeping the head elevated help; avoid strenuous activity for a period we advise.
- Side effects such as swelling, bruising, asymmetry or a dry-eye sensation 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 Procedure day
Performed under local anesthesia in about 30–60 minutes; you can usually go home the same day. Mild swelling begins, and there are no external stitches.
DAY 1-3 Peak swelling
Swelling and any bruising are usually most noticeable now. Cold compresses and keeping the head elevated help; strenuous activity is avoided as advised.
DAY 4-14 Settling
Swelling and bruising gradually ease over several days to about two weeks. Because healing is on the inside of the lid, there are no external stitches to remove.
1-3 MONTHS Contour refines
As residual swelling resolves, the lid–cheek transition settles and the contour refines. This is typically when the result is assessed. (Results vary by individual.)
ONGOING Longer term
This is usually a single procedure. The repositioned fat stays in place, while natural aging continues over the years.
Sessions & results
This is usually a single procedure, with swelling settling over weeks and the contour refining over about 1–3 months. (Results vary by individual.)
How it compares
Under-eye bags can be approached in different ways depending on the fat, the depth of the tear-trough hollow and how much loose skin is present, so these options suit different situations.
| Comparison | Erbium Under-Eye Fat Repositioning | Under-eye filler | Erbium Lower Blepharoplasty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Transconjunctival — no external skin incision | Injected gel filler — non-surgical | External incision just below the lashes |
| Targets | Repositions your own orbital fat into the hollow | Adds temporary volume above the hollow | Repositions or removes fat and trims excess skin |
| Excess skin | Suited to little excess skin | Not addressed | Also addresses loose or wrinkled skin |
| Recovery | Swelling and bruising over days to ~2 weeks | Little to none | External sutures; recovery over weeks |
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 eyelids
- A dry-eye or gritty sensation, or temporary watering, that usually settles
- Mild asymmetry between the two sides while swelling resolves
- Temporary numbness or tightness in the treated area
When to take extra care
- Significant loose or excess lower-eyelid skin, where a lower blepharoplasty may suit better
- Dry-eye disease or previous eye surgery — tell your doctor
- Bleeding or clotting disorders, or blood-thinning medication
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — let us know at consultation
- A tendency to keloid or difficulty with wound healing
This is a surgical procedure carried out under local anesthesia, and whether it suits your under-eye anatomy is confirmed at consultation. Effects vary by individual, and side effects such as swelling, bruising, asymmetry, under- or over-correction, or a dry-eye sensation 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.
No external skin incision
The approach is through the inside of the lower eyelid, so there is no external skin incision or visible scar line.
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
The approach is inside the lower lid, so there is no external skin incision or visible scar line; healing is on the inner surface of the lid.
It is usually performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation, as discussed at consultation.
Swelling and possible bruising last from several days to about two weeks, and the contour refines over roughly 1–3 months. (Results vary by individual.)
Filler adds volume temporarily, while repositioning uses your own fat to address the bag itself. Which suits you is decided at consultation.
Repositioning suits bags with a hollow and little excess skin, while a lower blepharoplasty also addresses loose or wrinkled skin. This is decided at consultation.
The repositioned fat stays in place, but aging continues, so the look changes gradually over the years.
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.
+Soft Erbium Under-Eye Fat Repositioning
A gentler variation of the technique, often considered for milder bags or less downtime; whether the standard or soft approach fits is decided by your surgeon.
+Upper Blepharoplasty
If upper-eyelid heaviness is also a concern, upper-eyelid surgery may be planned in the same session to balance the eye area; whether to combine is decided by your surgeon.
+Lower-lid skin treatments
Fat repositioning smooths the contour but does not change skin texture; laser or skin-quality treatments for the lid surface may be considered separately, depending on your skin.
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.