Erbium Lower Blepharoplasty

• 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.

• 01

  Where you are now, and where we start

  Combined aging of the under-eye skin, muscle and fat, and lower lid support

• 02

  The change you want, the impression you keep

  If skin is firm with little excess, transconjunctival fat repositioning may suit better; the right approach is decided at consultation.

• 03

  How it differs from similar options

  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.

• 04

  Health information and recovery schedule

  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.

Alongside shape, we examine how the eye opens and closes, the ocular surface, the fat, skin and adhesions, then set the incision and the extent of correction.

Erbium lower blepharoplasty assesses excess lower-eyelid skin and protruding fat together. An incision below the lashes allows skin adjustment and, when appropriate, fat repositioning or conservative reduction. Eyelid support and dry eyes guide the extent. Use of an Erbium laser still involves surgical access, an incision and healing. The device name alone does not establish less bleeding, less scarring or faster recovery. Confirm the approach and anaesthesia with the operating doctor.

How it works

• 01

  A 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.

• 02

  The incision is made with an erbium laser

  Use of an Erbium laser still involves surgical access, an incision and healing. The device name alone does not establish less bleeding, less scarring or faster recovery. Confirm the approach and anaesthesia with the operating doctor.

• 03

  Fat 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.

• 04

  Skin redraped, then fine sutures

  The excess skin is trimmed and redraped and closed with fine sutures, under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation.

1. 01

   Anatomy and function exam

   Consultation, eye assessment and design

2. 02

   Comparing scope and method

   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.

3. 03

   Surgery and recovery plan

   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.)

What the procedure is like

• 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.

Safety & considerations

Risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, difficulty closing the eyes, lower-lid position changes and revision surgery. Sudden visual change, severe eye pain or rapidly increasing swelling require urgent care.

1. 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.

2. DAY 1-3

   Swelling & bruising

   Swelling and possible bruising are usually most noticeable now; cold compresses and keeping the head elevated help.

3. 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.

4. WEEK 1-2

   Settling

   Much of the visible swelling and bruising eases over one to two weeks, though subtle swelling can linger.

5. 1-3 MONTHS

   Contour refines

   The lower-lid contour continues to settle and refine over roughly one to three months. (Results vary by individual.)

Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.

• Q. How is Erbium Lower Blepharoplasty different from lower eyelid fat repositioning?

  Fat repositioning focuses on moving the fat itself into a better position, while Erbium Lower Blepharoplasty also tidies up the loose skin and the muscle beneath it. When there is skin left over and it creases, moving the fat alone is not enough. Which of the two your eyes actually call for is something we sort out during the examination.

• Q. Will the scar under my eye be visible?

  Use of an Erbium laser still involves surgical access, an incision and healing. The device name alone does not establish less bleeding, less scarring or faster recovery. Confirm the approach and anaesthesia with the operating doctor.

• Q. Can the lower lid turn outward or pull away from the eye?

  It is uncommon, but changes in which the lower lid is drawn downward or turns outward have been reported. That is why we are conservative about how much skin to remove and check how well the lower lid is supported at the same time. If your eyes are dry or the lower lid is already lax, we take that into account when planning.

• Q. Do the eyes become dry after surgery?

  Some people feel dryness for a while, and it usually improves with time. If you already have dry eye, the symptoms can become stronger, so we check for it and prepare before surgery. We will show you how to use artificial tears afterwards, and if the discomfort continues we will discuss seeing an ophthalmologist together.

• Q. When do the stitches come out, and what should I be careful about until then?

  It depends on the surgical method and on how you are healing, and they are generally removed a few days later. We will tell you the exact timing once we have seen how your recovery is going. Until then, keep the wound from being in contact with water for long and do not rub your eyes. Saunas, strenuous exercise and alcohol are also best avoided during that period.

• Q. How do I choose a clinic for Erbium Lower Blepharoplasty in Gangnam, Seoul?

  Look at the examination and the plan rather than the treatment name. First, what the clinic checks before deciding — at QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, the first thing we look at for this treatment is “Combined aging of the under-eye skin, muscle and fat, and lower lid support”. Second, whether it explains why it recommends that scope and method, compared with the alternatives. Third, whether it reviews your progress with you when results are expected. Our doctor goes through these three points at consultation before the treatment is decided.

• Q. Where can I get Erbium Lower Blepharoplasty in Seoul?

  At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea. We are at 3F, 502 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Nonhyeon-dong, Seohee Building), a 4-minute walk from Exit 3 of Nonhyeon or Sinnonhyeon Station. Call +82-2-514-1650 or use the consultation form on this site to book a doctor’s consultation first.