A sub-brow lift in Seoul, Korea removes a strip of hooded upper-lid skin through an incision along the lower edge of the eyebrow, so the lid is lifted from above while your existing eyelid crease stays where it is. Dr. Jang Jin-woo performs it in 30–60 minutes under local anesthesia, adding IV sedation when needed.
Is it for you?
Hooded upper lids that a sub-brow lift addresses
Upper-lid skin is not the same thickness from top to bottom. Close to the lashes it is thin and folds easily; toward the brow it becomes thicker and heavier. When that heavier upper part loosens with age, it slides down over the lid and gathers at the outer corner, which is the hooded, tired look many people notice first in photos.
A sub-brow lift (also called infrabrow excision blepharoplasty) takes skin from that thick upper zone. What remains over the eye is the thin lid skin, so the fold does not look bulky, and the crease you already have is not cut or redesigned. That is why the operation is discussed for people who like their current eye shape and want the overhang reduced.
It is a skin operation. A brow that has dropped well below the bony rim needs lifting from above the brow, which is what an endoscopic brow lift does. A lid that opens weakly because the levator muscle is lax is a ptosis problem, and a new or higher crease is the territory of double eyelid surgery or upper blepharoplasty.
Usually a good fit
- Upper-lid skin hooding over the lashes, heaviest at the outer corner
- Thick upper-lid skin that would look bulky if trimmed at the crease
- An existing eyelid crease you want to keep as it is
- Brows that sit at or close to a natural height
- Enough brow hair along the lower edge to help hide the line
- Able to stay in Seoul until the stitches come out at 5–7 days
We may suggest waiting
- Brows that have dropped well below the bony rim
- Eyelids that open weakly because of a lax levator muscle
- Wanting a new or higher double eyelid crease
- Hollow upper lids from fat loss with little excess skin
- Active skin infection or inflammation around the brow
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Before & after
Sub-brow lift results
BEFORE
AFTERHow it works
How the sub-brow lift removes skin beneath the eyebrow
The incision line is drawn along the lower border of the eyebrow hairs, and the strip of skin to be removed is shaped as a long ellipse below it. The width of that ellipse is measured on each side, because the two lids are rarely identical. When the strip is taken out and the edges are brought together, the lid skin beneath is drawn upward toward the brow and the overhang at the outer corner shortens.
Published series describe the same basic idea with different details. In Asian women selected for this approach, removing skin under the brow reached the goals of a conventional upper-lid operation, and the authors reported no complications involving the incision line or skin sensation (Kim, 2008). A parallel-excision version that also trimmed part of the orbicularis oculi muscle was followed for about two years in 93 Asian patients without major complications (Lee, 2020). Another group combined the skin excision with repositioning of outer orbital fat and an orbicularis lift, so lateral hooding and an inner hollow were treated together, with the scar placed under the brow (Wang, 2024). These are uncontrolled studies, so they show the technique is workable rather than predicting a single result.
The incision is closed in layers with fine stitches on the skin, which are taken out at about 5–7 days. Because the cut follows the brow, the healed line sits where brow hairs and shadow can soften it; how visible it becomes depends on your skin, your hair density and healing.
Looking at the hood and brow
At consultationDr. Jang Jin-woo checks how far the skin folds over the lashes, where the brows sit and how the existing crease looks, then decides whether skin removal under the brow fits.
Marking along the lower brow
The incision is drawn just inside the lower edge of the brow hairs, and the ellipse of skin to remove is marked and measured for each side.
Removing the ellipse and lifting
30–60 minutes in totalUnder local anesthesia, with IV sedation if needed, the marked strip is removed and the lid skin below is drawn up toward the brow.
Closing with fine stitches
The edges are closed so the line lies along the brow. Skin stitches come out at about 5–7 days after surgery.
Upper-lid and brow options on the ENTER Plastic Surgery menu
| Point of comparison | Sub-brow lift | Upper blepharoplasty | Endoscopic brow lift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where the incision is | Along the lower edge of the brow | In the upper eyelid crease | Small cuts inside the hairline |
| What it mainly treats | Thick, hooded upper-lid skin | Lid skin and fat at the crease | Brows that have dropped |
| Existing eyelid crease | Left as it is | Can be set or reshaped | Not changed directly |
| Anesthesia | Local, IV sedation if needed | Local, IV sedation if needed | IV sedation or general |
| Stitches out | About 5–7 days | About 5–7 days | 7–14 days |
| Earliest flight home | About 5–7 days, after stitch removal | About 7 days, after stitch removal | 7–10 days, after stitch removal |
Values are the clinic's own guidance for each operation; healing varies from person to person.
Your doctor
Chief Director · Korean board-certified plastic surgeon
“Natural, yet clearly visible change.”Eyelid and facelift surgery at ENTER is planned and performed by Dr. Jang himself.
- NowChief Director, ENTER Plastic Surgery
- TrainingPlastic surgery, Kyung Hee University Medical Center
- FormerChief Director, Jang Plastic Surgery
- FormerDirector, Secret Plastic Surgery
- MemberKSPRS · KSAPS · ISAPS · ESOPRS · ASPS
At a glance
Sub-brow lift: numbers for planning your stay
| Procedure time | About 30–60 minutes |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia; IV sedation added if needed |
| Recovery | Swelling and bruising 1–2 weeks; the line settles in about 1–3 months |
| Follow-up visits | 1–2 visits for dressing and checks |
| Stitches | Removed about 5–7 days after surgery |
| Return to exercise | Generally, gentle walks for the first 1–2 weeks; strenuous exercise, bending over and heavy lifting are avoided for about 3–4 weeks, and full workouts build up gradually from about 1 month (published guidance) |
| Earliest flight home | About 5–7 days, once the stitches are out |
Prices
Paying for a sub-brow lift in South Korea
The surgery fee of ₩2,600,000 covers the operation on both sides. It is quoted before tax, and 10% VAT is added when you settle the bill.
The operation can be done under local anesthesia alone. If you would like IV sedation as well, it is charged as its own line of ₩300,000, also before VAT, and that sedation charge applies in the same way to every surgery on the clinic's menu. Anything beyond these two lines, such as a second procedure on the same day or take-home medication, should be written into your quote so you can compare the total before booking flights.
Prices exclude VAT (10% VAT is added at payment).
Recovery
Healing timeline after a sub-brow lift
The brow area feels tight and starts to swell. Some blood showing on the dressing or gauze during the first one to two days is normal after this surgery.
Apply cold compresses for the first three days. Avoid blowing your nose for two weeks and sneeze gently, since straining raises pressure around the eyes.
Change to warm compresses, holding warmth for 30 seconds and resting for 5 minutes in repeated cycles. Bruising starts to fade and may drift toward the lid.
The skin stitches along the brow are removed at about 5–7 days. Once they are out, the clinic's guidance is that you can take your flight home.
Swelling and bruising subside over one to two weeks. The line under the brow is pink at this stage and is easier to cover with brow makeup once healed.
The scar softens and the upper-lid contour settles over about one to three months, so judge the final shape and line at the end of that period.
Safety
Sub-brow lift risks and limits
A sub-brow lift is a short operation, yet it is still surgery on the face, and a visible line is a real trade-off. Contact the clinic promptly if swelling keeps increasing on one side, if pain becomes severe, or if the wound opens or shows pus.
- A visible or widened scar along the brow, which shows more in people with sparse lower brow hair.
- Brow hair loss along the incision if follicles at the lower edge are damaged.
- Numbness or altered sensation of the brow and forehead while small sensory nerves recover.
- Asymmetry between the two sides, or hooding that remains at the inner or outer corner.
- Difficulty closing the eye fully, or dryness, if too much skin is removed.
- Bleeding under the skin (hematoma) or infection, which needs prompt treatment.
- A further operation, such as upper blepharoplasty, if the lid itself still needs work.
Satisfaction is high in published series but not universal. In 101 Asian patients surveyed four weeks after this operation, 91.1% were satisfied and 8.9% were not (Lee, 2009), and short follow-up like that cannot show how the line looks a year later.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Infrabrow Excision Blepharoplasty: Applications and Outcomes in Upper Blepharoplasty in Asian WomenPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery · 2008 · Kim Y et al. · doi:10.1097/prs.0b013e3181858fc0
In selected Asian women, upper-lid skin removal below the brow met the aims of a conventional upper-lid operation, with no complications involving the incision line or skin sensation reported; satisfaction was high, with no control group.
- Parallel-excision infrabrow blepharoplasty with extensive excision of the orbicularis oculi muscle in an Asian populationArchives of Plastic Surgery · 2020 · Lee Y et al. · doi:10.5999/aps.2019.01102
A parallel-excision infrabrow technique with extensive orbicularis oculi trimming was followed for about two years in 93 Asian patients with moderate to severe hooding, with no major complications; uncontrolled series.
- Upper Blepharoplasty through Infrabrow Skin Excision to Treat Dermatochalasis with Lateral Hooding and Medial Orbital Fat Loss in Selected PatientsAnnals of Plastic Surgery · 2024 · Wang D et al. · doi:10.1097/sap.0000000000004006
Infrabrow skin excision combined with lateral orbital fat repositioning and an orbicularis lift treated outer hooding and inner hollowing together in selected patients, with the scar under the brow at 8 to 12 months.
- Subbrow Blepharoplasty for Upper Eyelid Rejuvenation in AsiansAesthetic Surgery Journal · 2009 · Lee D · doi:10.1016/j.asj.2009.02.008
Of 101 Asian patients asked four weeks after subbrow blepharoplasty, 91.1% were satisfied and 8.9% were dissatisfied; the short, subjective follow-up limits what it shows.
FAQ
Questions about the sub-brow lift
How long do bruising and swelling last after a sub-brow lift?
Bruising and swelling settle over about one to two weeks, and the line under the brow and the lid contour keep settling for roughly one to three months. Cold compresses help for the first three days, then warm compresses from day four. Swelling that keeps rising on one side should be reported straight away.
When are the stitches removed, and when can I fly home?
The skin stitches along the brow come out at about 5–7 days. The clinic's guidance is that you can fly home after they are removed, so plan a stay of at least that long. Follow-up is one to two visits for dressing and checks, and a spare day gives room if healing needs another look.
Who performs the sub-brow lift?
Dr. Jang Jin-woo, a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon, performs the sub-brow lift at ENTER Plastic Surgery. Dr. Jang trained in plastic surgery at Kyung Hee University Medical Center and is a member of the Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Does the sub-brow lift fee include IV sedation and VAT?
No. The surgery fee of ₩2,600,000 is listed before 10% VAT, and IV sedation (the anaesthesia option, in British spelling) is a separate line of ₩300,000 + VAT if you choose it. The operation can be done under local anesthesia alone, in which case there is no sedation charge.
How do I ask about a sub-brow lift from overseas?
Use the form on this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. English-speaking staff are available at the clinic. A front photo with your eyes open and relaxed, plus your travel dates, helps when planning surgery and stitch removal in one trip.
Is a deposit needed to book, and what if I have to cancel?
Deposit and cancellation terms are set for each booking, so ask for them in writing before paying anything. Keep your flights flexible enough to match the stitch removal at about 5–7 days, because moving the surgery date also moves the earliest day you can travel.
Where will the sub-brow lift scar be?
The scar sits along the lower edge of the eyebrow, where brow hairs and the natural shadow of the brow help soften it. It is pink at first and fades over months. How visible it ends up depends on your skin, how dense the lower brow hair is, and how the wound heals.
Sub-brow lift or upper blepharoplasty: which suits hooded eyes?
It depends on where the excess skin is and whether you want to change your crease. A sub-brow lift removes thick skin just under the brow and keeps the existing crease. Upper blepharoplasty works at the crease itself and can set or reshape the fold, which suits thinner lids or a crease change.
Will a sub-brow lift change my double eyelid line?
The crease itself is not cut, so its position is not redesigned. Because hooding no longer covers it, more of the existing fold can show once swelling settles. If you want a new or higher crease, that is a different operation and is discussed as upper blepharoplasty or double eyelid surgery.
How long do the results of a sub-brow lift last?
The clinic's guidance is about five to ten years, with gradual change as aging continues. The removed skin does not grow back, but the remaining lid and brow tissues keep loosening over time, so some hooding can return in later years.
Can men have a sub-brow lift?
Yes. The deciding factors are the same for any patient: how much skin hoods the lid, where the brows sit, and how dense the brow hair is along the planned line. Men with straighter, fuller brows may find the line easier to hide, while a low, heavy brow points toward a brow lift instead.
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Great experience! Dr. is very sweet and kind. He listened to what I wanted to fix and correct. He explained everything very well. Wasn’t pushy and didn’t try to sell anything extra. This isn’t a clinic that comes out on instagram, which I…
Jennifer LyuA month agoI came to Enter Plastic Surgery on a friend’s recommendation for under-eye fat repositioning. I was pretty nervous going in, but the doctor took the time to explain what would work for my under-eyes, what the procedure involved, and what…
Michael2 months agoThe staff are incredibly friendly, and the consultation was very thorough. I was very worried since it was my first procedure, but the director explained the aftercare in detail, so I felt completely confident trusting them!!
ROOHEUI SHIN (RHS)2 months ago · Translated by Google