qd erbium lower blepharoplasty
Lower blepharoplasty rejuvenates the lower eyelid by addressing under-eye bags together with loose or wrinkled lower-lid skin. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, the fine incision just beneath the lash line is made with an erbium laser rather than a blade, which can help reduce bleeding and support a smoother recovery. Excess skin is redraped and orbital fat is repositioned or conservatively reduced. It is performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation. (Results vary by individual.)
is this for me
Who it’s for
Even if none of these describes you, we will look again at the consultation.
- 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.
Before you pick a treatment name, start with the cause of your concern.
start with your concern
Even a treatment with the same name takes on a different role and scope depending on your current structure, the change you want, what you have had before and the recovery time you have.
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
We check the front and side views and expression, left-right differences, skin and deep tissue, and scars and function from earlier surgery.
03
How it differs from similar options
We compare incision and dissection, how much is removed, repositioned or fixed, the pros and cons of materials, and the option of no surgery at all.
04
Health information and recovery schedule
Anesthesia, preventing bleeding and infection, wound care, swelling and changes in sensation, and when to be seen again — all in one plan.
the
principle
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.
With age the lower-lid skin can loosen and orbital fat can bulge, creating bags and shadowing. Through a fine incision made just below the lash line with an erbium laser (a subciliary skin approach), the surgeon addresses the fat — repositioning it over the bony rim to fill the tear-trough hollow, or reducing a small amount where needed — and then trims and redrapes the excess skin. The erbium laser is used to make the incision with the aim of less bleeding and a fine scar line kept hidden under the lashes. Fine sutures close the incision.
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
Rather than a blade, an erbium laser makes the fine incision, with the aim of less bleeding during surgery and a discreet scar line kept under the lashes.
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.
The same treatment, never the same plan.
the qd standard
Rather than a fashionable name or a fixed package, we weigh the structure found at examination, safety, recovery and the limits within one plan.
- 01DIAGNOSIS FIRSTCause before nameWe first separate out the tissue and the function behind your concern.
- 02LESS, PRECISEOnly as much as neededRather than an excessive change, we plan the smallest scope with a clear role.
- 03HONEST LIMITThe limits, explained tooWe explain the change you can expect, the alternatives, individual differences and the risks.
From consultation to follow-up, planned as one flow.
personal plan
Lower blepharoplasty rejuvenates the lower eyelid by addressing under-eye bags together with loose or wrinkled lower-lid skin. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, the fine incision just beneath the lash line is made with an erbium laser rather than a blade, which can help reduce bleeding and support a smoother recovery. Excess skin is redraped and orbital fat is repositioned or conservatively reduced. It is performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation. (Results vary by individual.)
Anatomy and function exam
We check the front and side views and expression, left-right differences, skin and deep tissue, and scars and function from earlier surgery.
Comparing scope and method
We compare incision and dissection, how much is removed, repositioned or fixed, the pros and cons of materials, and the option of no surgery at all.
Surgery and recovery plan
Anesthesia, preventing bleeding and infection, wound care, swelling and changes in sensation, and when to be seen again — all set out in one plan.
What the procedure is like
- Consultation, eye assessment and design
- Local anesthesia (with optional light sedation)
- Subciliary incision just below the lash line with the erbium laser
- Repositioning or conservative reduction of orbital fat, then redraping and trimming of excess skin
- Fine suture closure, recovery and aftercare guidance
Time: The procedure takes about 40–60 minutes.
Please read this before treatment
- 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
Possible reactions
- Temporary swelling and bruising around the lower lids
- Tenderness, tightness, or a dry, gritty eye sensation for a time
- Asymmetry between the two sides
- Uncommonly, changes in lower-lid position (such as scleral show or ectropion) that may need review
- Scarring; the incision is placed under the lash line to be discreet
When to take extra care
- Bleeding disorders or blood-thinning medication — tell your doctor
- A history of significant dry eye or thyroid eye disease
- A tendency to keloid or difficulty with wound healing
- Smoking, which can affect healing
- Unrealistic expectations, or a revision after previous eyelid surgery
what to expect
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
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.
DAY 1-3
Swelling & bruising
Swelling and possible bruising are usually most noticeable now; cold compresses and keeping the head elevated help.
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.
WEEK 1-2
Settling
Much of the visible swelling and bruising eases over one to two weeks, though subtle swelling can linger.
1-3 MONTHS
Contour refines
The lower-lid contour continues to settle and refine over roughly one to three months. (Results vary by individual.)
Sessions & results
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.)
how it compares
How it compares
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.
| Erbium Lower Blepharoplasty | Transconjunctival fat repositioning | Under-eye filler | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Subciliary skin incision — skin and fat | Inner-lid incision — fat only, no skin removed | Injectable, non-surgical |
| Best for | Bags with loose or wrinkled lower-lid skin | Bags with firm skin and little excess | Mild hollowing, temporary smoothing |
| Anesthesia | Local, sometimes with light sedation | Local, sometimes with light sedation | Topical or local |
| Recovery | Sutures ~5–7 days; bruising ~1–2 weeks | No external sutures; often quicker | Little downtime |
| Longevity | Long-lasting; aging continues | Long-lasting for the fat treated | Temporary — months |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Before you decide, the questions people always ask
before consultation
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.
The incision follows the line just below the lashes, so once it has healed it is often hard to notice. That said, scars heal very differently from person to person, and some redness can linger for a few months. If you are keloid-prone or your wounds tend to heal slowly, please tell us in advance.
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.
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.
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.
The medical information on this page was reviewed by Hong Sahyeok, plastic surgeon and Medical Director of QD Clinic.
personal consultation
Tell us what bothers you now, the change you want, what you have had done before and any dates that matter. We will compare the possible approaches and their limits, calmly.
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