The Medical Truth About the “Fox Eye” Trend

Walk through the streets of Seoul or scroll through social media feeds anywhere in the world, and you’ll notice a particular aesthetic dominating fashion and beauty conversations — the so-called “fox eye” look. Characterized by lifted outer corners of the eyes and elongated brows, it creates a sharp, feline expression that feels both exotic and modern. Celebrities, influencers, and makeup artists have pushed it into global popularity, with countless tutorials promising to deliver the effect through contouring, eyeliner tricks, or cosmetic procedures.

But as with many beauty trends, what looks striking on Instagram often comes with hidden risks when pursued surgically or through quick-fix treatments. As surgeons who see both the success stories and the complications, we believe it’s important to unpack what “fox eye” really means in medical terms, and whether it’s safe to chase this look through cosmetic intervention.

What Exactly Is the “Fox Eye” Look?

The term refers to a visual effect where the lateral corners of the eyes are tilted upward, creating a lifted, almond-shaped appearance. Traditionally, this look has been achieved with makeup — for example, extended eyeliner flicks, strategic brow shaping, or concealer tricks. More recently, however, demand for a longer-lasting solution has led people to procedures such as:

• Thread lifts to pull the brow and eyelid upward

• Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) with an upward adjustment of the outer corner

• Canthoplasty (reshaping the eyelid corner)

• Temporal lifts to elevate the outer brow and temple area

• Botox or filler to subtly alter eyebrow position

At Hugo Plastic Surgery in Seoul, we describe this less as a “trend” and more as a modification of eyelid and brow dynamics. The position of the outer eyelid, the height of the brow tail, and the support of the temple tissues all combine to determine whether the eye appears softer, rounder, or more fox-like.

Why Has the Fox Eye Trend Taken Off?

Beauty ideals are never static — they evolve with culture, fashion, and media influence. In South Korea, where cosmetic surgery is both highly advanced and widely normalized, subtle adjustments to the eyes have long been popular. The fox eye aesthetic gained momentum globally for several reasons:

• Celebrity influence: Models and actors in the West popularized the elongated eye look on red carpets and magazine covers.

• Fashion trends: Current styles emphasize sleekness and sharp lines, which complement the fox eye appearance.

• Cultural crossovers: With K-beauty and Korean fashion already influencing international aesthetics, the trend resonated far beyond Asia.

For some, the fox eye conveys sophistication or an edgier personality compared to rounder, “innocent” eyes. But here’s the catch: a look based on trend alone often doesn’t stand the test of time. What seems chic in your twenties can feel severe or mismatched in your forties. Unlike makeup, which you can wash off, surgical changes are long-lasting. That’s where the risk lies.

Medical Concerns Behind the Trend

From a surgeon’s standpoint, the fox eye look isn’t inherently dangerous. The issue lies in how it’s achieved and whether the chosen method respects the patient’s anatomy. Let’s break down the most common approaches:

1. Thread Lifts

Thread lifts involve inserting absorbable sutures under the skin to pull the brow or eyelid upward. They are marketed as “lunchtime procedures” because they’re quick and minimally invasive. However:

• Results typically last only a few months.

• Patients often experience asymmetry, with one eye lifting higher than the other.

• Complications include skin puckering, dimpling, or thread migration.

• Some report prolonged tenderness or nerve irritation.

In our clinic, we see patients who were disappointed by the temporary nature of thread lifts, particularly when expecting a dramatic or permanent change.

2. Aggressive Blepharoplasty or Canthoplasty

Eyelid surgery can refine eye shape beautifully when performed conservatively. But over-correcting the outer corner to chase a sharp fox eye tilt can lead to:

• Unnatural gaze — eyes that appear permanently “pulled.”

• Functional issues such as incomplete eyelid closure (lagophthalmos).

• Chronic dryness or irritation due to disrupted eyelid mechanics.

These issues are not just cosmetic; they can affect comfort and long-term eye health.

3. Botox and Fillers

Injectables can create subtle lifts when used strategically. For example, weakening the muscles that pull the brow downward can allow the tail of the brow to rise slightly. But if overdone:

• Natural blinking patterns may be altered.

• The eye may feel heavy or uncomfortable.

• Results may appear uneven or stiff.

4. Tissue Scarring and Distortion

Multiple procedures — especially if repeated without anatomical consideration — can distort natural tissue planes. Over time, the skin around the eyes may scar, heal unevenly, or lose elasticity, making future corrective surgeries more complicated.

In summary: the fox eye look becomes medically concerning when pursued with shortcuts or excessive force rather than thoughtful, individualized planning.

What People Often Overlook

To be honest, patients often assume the fox eye is “all in the eyes.” In reality, the appearance is shaped by an interplay of surrounding structures:

• Temple fat pad: A youthful, supported temple helps the outer brow rest naturally. If volume is lost, the area can collapse inward, making the eyes look hollow.

• Forehead tension: Overactive forehead muscles may pull the brow differently on each side, complicating attempts to lift.

• Cheek contour: A lifted eye with a flat or sagging cheek can look unbalanced, almost like one part of the face doesn’t belong to the other.

Think of it like tuning a violin: adjusting one string without balancing the others can throw the whole instrument out of harmony. Similarly, lifting only the brow tail or eye corner without supporting the temple and cheek often produces an artificial look.

A Safer Approach: Harmonizing, Not Forcing

At Hugo Plastic Surgery, we rarely encourage patients to copy a celebrity photo. Instead, we ask: How would a subtle lift or reshaping enhance your natural beauty?

For some, a lateral brow lift combined with a conservative eyelid adjustment provides freshness without locking them into a harsh aesthetic. For others, temporal fat grafting or a gentle canthoplasty creates harmony while maintaining softness.

Our guiding principles are:

• Natural results that complement existing features.

• Balance across the face rather than hyper-focusing on one corner.

• Longevity, ensuring results still look appropriate years later.

Surgery should be about enhancing the face you live with every day, not creating a momentary fashion statement.

When the Trend Becomes Dangerous

The fox eye trend crosses into dangerous territory in certain situations:

• Unqualified providers: When procedures are performed outside of licensed medical clinics, risks of infection, scarring, and nerve injury increase dramatically.

• Excessive repetition: Patients who undergo multiple lifts or corrections to maintain the look may end up with scar tissue and compromised results.

• Ignoring anatomy: Forcing a tilt onto eyes that aren’t suited for it can create disharmony and long-term dissatisfaction.

• Psychological strain: When patients compare themselves constantly to filtered images online, they may pursue unrealistic changes, leading to regret or distress.

In these cases, the pursuit of a trend becomes not only physically risky but emotionally taxing as well.

The Medical Takeaway

Chasing beauty trends is nothing new — history is full of eyebrow shapes, lip styles, and silhouettes that rose and fell with the times. But when surgery or injectables are involved, a cautious, individualized approach is essential.

The fox eye look can be achieved safely only when adapted to the patient’s unique anatomy and balanced with the rest of the face. Cookie-cutter approaches or aggressive corrections carry far greater risks than rewards.

At Hugo Plastic Surgery, under the guidance of Dr. Seonghyeok Yang, we prioritize natural, high-quality results that age gracefully. Our patients often come in asking for trendy changes, but they leave with a deeper understanding of how to highlight their own beauty in ways that will remain elegant five, ten, or twenty years from now.

✨ Ready for expert guidance? If you’re curious about subtle eye rejuvenation or considering a lift, consult with a trusted specialist. At Hugo Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, we take the time to evaluate your unique features and recommend procedures that respect both your present beauty and your future self.