[Press] Eyelid surgery in middle age: a change in quality of life

Endoscopic forehead lifting draws attention for natural-looking results

Interest in eyelid surgery continues to grow among middle-aged people. In the past, improving appearance or looking younger was often the main reason for surgery. More recently, practical aims have become more prominent: relieving daily discomfort such as sagging skin that obstructs vision, irritated eyelids, and eyelashes that poke the eyes.

Against this background, endoscopic forehead lifting has attracted attention as an option for middle-aged patients, with the article highlighting limited visible scarring and a relatively quick recovery. We met Dr. Jang Joon-Chul of GGN Plastic Surgery in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam, to hear about changing demand, practical applications, and surgical know-how.

[From appearance to restoring function and confidence]

According to Dr. Jang, middle-aged patients increasingly visit with more specific concerns about everyday discomfort. Rather than simply seeking a younger or more attractive impression, many want to address functional problems, including vision obstructed by drooping eyelids and increased eye fatigue. Improving a withdrawn-looking expression and regaining confidence in social relationships are also important motivations.

He says middle-aged women often feel especially satisfied when others tell them, “Your face looks more relaxed” or “You look brighter.” They place greater value on restoring their own natural appearance than on a dramatic transformation.

[Endoscopic forehead lifting: a new approach to eyelid concerns]

Endoscopic forehead lifting is drawing attention in this context. Rather than making an incision directly above the eye, the surgeon inserts an endoscope through small incisions of approximately 2–3 cm inside the scalp along the hairline, then lifts and secures the forehead and eyebrows. The article describes limited external scarring, less bruising and swelling, and a faster recovery as advantages.

Unlike conventional double-eyelid surgery, the aim is not to create an artificial-looking eye shape but to restore the original structure by correcting a drooping forehead and brows. This may allow a concealed eyelid crease to reappear naturally, make the eyes look clearer, and improve forehead and frown lines.

[Fixation techniques influence how long results last]

For natural-looking, lasting results, planning and fixation are more important than a surgical technique alone. Dr. Jang emphasizes that every face has a different structure, so an individualized design should take priority over a standardized operation. The key is to analyze forehead curvature, brow position, and the degree of eyelid drooping, then determine the extent of tissue release and the fixation points.

The fixation method can substantially affect durability. Common approaches include Endotine and bone tunneling, in which tunnels are created in the bone for fixation. Combining the two in a Double-fix technique may provide more stable and longer-lasting results. It is therefore important to ask during consultation which fixation method will be used.

[A natural restoration rather than an obvious change]

Recent trends in middle-aged cosmetic surgery favor restoring a natural expression without an unfamiliar look, rather than making a conspicuous transformation. Dr. Jang says cosmetic surgery should be understood not simply as a technique for changing a face, but as one for maintaining and restoring its original appearance.

Patients are often most pleased by comments such as “Your face looks relaxed” and “Your eyes look clearer,” rather than merely “You look prettier.” This reflects a desire to age naturally.

[Care before and after surgery matters too]

Dr. Jang advises that thorough consultation and an experienced medical team are central to safe, satisfying surgery. Before deciding, patients should receive an accurate assessment and fully understand the method, expected benefits, and possible adverse effects.

After surgery, basic recovery care—including cold or warm compresses, prescribed medication, and regular follow-up—is also essential. The article notes that diligently following this care can help maintain results.

Eyelid surgery in middle age is no longer presented only as a way to look younger. It can be a way to regain a natural expression, relieve everyday discomfort, and recover confidence. Within this shift, endoscopic forehead lifting is described as an unobtrusive way to restore the original face.

Reporter: Choi Bo-young
gourmet@issueon.co.kr
Source: ISSUE ON (https://www.issueon.co.kr)