Aegyo Sal or Eye Bags? The Truth About Eye Bag Surgery

Is it aegyo sal or an eye bag? When the area under your eyes looks puffy, the line between eye bags and aegyo sal is thin, so how do you tell them apart and improve them? If you noticed your eye bags long ago and have always wanted to fix them, but scary rumors about eye bag surgery keep holding you back, let NAISS come to your rescue today!! Next we'll go over some key facts about eye bags and the secrets of eye bag surgery, so you can confidently get your bright, expressive eyes back!

What Are Eye Bags?

Eye bags are either congenital or acquired. Congenital eye bags are mostly hereditary, with naturally thick fat beneath the eyes. Acquired eye bags are mostly caused by aging, eye strain, and long-term pulling on the skin around the eyes, which leads to atrophy of the orbicularis oculi muscle and loss of orbital bone, and in turn orbital fat protrusion. Aegyo sal, on the other hand, is a small muscle just under the eye that you are born with, about 0.2-0.7 cm, that puffs up slightly when you smile. People with aegyo sal look as if they have bigger eyes, which is also what is commonly called "peach blossom eyes."

A Quick Guide to Telling Them Apart:

• Aegyo sal: Aegyo sal is the raised area right along the lower edge of the eyelid, most noticeable when you smile.
• Eye bags: Eye bags sit below the aegyo sal and are about 2-3 times as thick. They are obvious when you aren't smiling and become fainter when you smile.
• Tear trough: The tear trough is a hollow that forms along the edge of the orbital bone. It deepens dark circles and eye bag shadows and is hard to conceal, and it generally appears together with dark circles.
• Dark circles: Dark circles are darkening in the triangular area under the eye caused by pigment deposition, friction, and poor blood circulation. They can generally be concealed, and in severe cases they appear together with a tear trough.

What Is Eye Bag Surgery?

NAISS CLINIC uses the "Five-in-One Scarless Eye Bag Surgery," combining the advantages of both internal (transconjunctival) and external (transcutaneous) eye bag surgery, avoiding the aegyo sal and the lower tarsal plate, locating the eye bag fat layer directly, and, after removing the eye bag fat, filling it into the hollow of the tear trough.

Five-in-One Scarless Eye Bag Surgery solves five major concerns around the eyes in one procedure: removing eye bags, filling the tear trough, improving dark circles, smoothing fine lines under the eyes, and firming the under-eye area. The incision is hidden on the inside of the eyelid, leaving almost no visible trace afterward, and you can return to normal life the next day with no disruption to your routine. Recovery takes about 5-7 days.

Eye Bag Surgery Aftercare: The Complete Guide

Urban Myths About Getting Rid of Eye Bags:

1. Massage, such as pinching the temples or massaging around the eyes
2. Cold compress with a chilled spoon
3. Makeup: improving the look with concealer and highlighter

Do Tea Bags and Eye Cream Really Get Rid of Eye Bags and Dark Circles? 8 Popular Home Remedies Reviewed, and Why They May Trigger Allergies Instead!

What Are "Internal" and "External" Eye Bag Surgery?

"Internal" Eye Bag Surgery

This is commonly known as eye bag extraction, in which a small incision is made on the lower eyelid with electrocautery and the fat is then removed from the eye bag. It suits young patients whose only issue is excess fat under the eyes and whose skin has good elasticity. However, internal eye bag surgery cannot fully resolve the tear trough; it can only improve the eye bags.

Internal approach: A small incision is made on the inside of the lower eyelid, meaning there is no external scar (the cut is made through the conjunctiva). Most younger patients have the internal approach.

"External" Eye Bag Surgery

This is commonly known as eye bag excision, in which a small incision is made just below the lower lash line and the excess fat and loose skin are removed. It suits older patients with larger eye bags and looser skin. External eye bag surgery not only improves eye bags but also lifts the under-eye area and smooths fine lines around the eyes, but the recovery period is longer.

External approach: A small incision is made just below the lower lash line, tightening the area around the eyes at the same time; it suits people of a certain age and those with quite loose skin.

What Problems Can Eye Bag Surgery Improve?

1. People with puffy, fluid-retention eye bags (those who stare at screens a lot, night owls, and people who are often congested)
2. People with congenital, hereditary eye bags
3. People with obvious eye bags together with severe tear trough hollowing
4. People whose eye bags sag because of clumps of fat in the eye area
5. People with eye bags along with loose, inelastic lower eyelid skin
6. People who smoke and drink often and favor strongly flavored food, and whose eyelids swell easily
7. People who want a short recovery after eye bag surgery that doesn't disrupt their routine
8. People who want no visible trace after eye bag surgery

Six Advantages of Eye Bag Surgery:

1. Improves multiple eye concerns in one procedure
2. Eye bag fat is moved back to fill the tear trough, and can be combined with fat grafting to the apple cheeks
3. Eliminates dark circles
4. Lifts the under-eye area for better firmness
5. Smooths fine lines around the eyes
6. Short recovery, back at work the next day

Eye Bag Surgery Recovery and Aftercare

(1) How Long Does Eye Bag Surgery Take to Heal? How Long Do the Results Last?

Surgery means a very long recovery? Actually, no! The recovery times for common eye bag surgery approaches are as follows:

1. Internal eye bag surgery: no external incision and no suture removal; recovery takes about 1-2 weeks
2. External eye bag surgery: you return for suture removal after surgery; recovery takes about 1-2 weeks
3. Scarless eye bag surgery: about 1 to 2 weeks

After recovery, what people worry about is how long the results last. In general, eye bag surgery results last 5-10 years, though the actual duration still varies with each person's constitution. A little education: the eyes keep aging after surgery, just as laser vision correction doesn't mean you will never become nearsighted or presbyopic again. So even after eye bag surgery, the skin can still loosen! We also want to remind you that after surgery you should still avoid eye strain and poor lifestyle habits, so the results look better and last longer!

(2) How Do You Care for Your Eyes After Eye Bag Surgery?

1. Once the anesthetic wears off, if the wound is painful, apply cold compresses more often on days 1-4, with gauze or a towel in between to prevent frostbite (each compress 10-15 minutes, with at least 30 minutes between compresses, and as many times a day as needed)
2. Bruising and swelling around the eye socket are expected after surgery. Keep your head elevated or sleep in a semi-reclined position, and reduce fluids and high-sodium foods to promote blood return and ease the swelling.
3. Itching before the wound has healed is normal. Do not rub it with your hands.
4. Clean the wound morning and evening with a cotton swab and saline, and apply antibiotic ointment; avoid contact with untreated tap water to prevent infection.

In addition to the care instructions above, in daily life and diet we suggest avoiding irritating foods such as alcohol, coffee, chili peppers, and strong tea. When you go out, wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from sun, wind, and dust. If you have any discomfort or problems after surgery, be sure to return to the clinic right away so we can follow up!