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Aegyo sal surgery is a newer type of eye plastic surgery. Aegyo sal (the soft roll just beneath the lower lashes, known in Chinese as “wo can”) have become increasingly popular, and many women take extra care with their under-eye makeup, with more cosmetic products designed to define them. Aegyo sal carry a charming, approachable look, so many women want to have them. The surgery not only creates aegyo sal but can also make the eyes look larger. The principle is similar to double eyelid surgery: visually, the eyes look bigger with a warm, smiling-eyes impression. This article introduces aegyo sal surgery and shares what this new procedure is and what to keep in mind.
Aegyo Sal vs. Eye Bags: An Introduction and Comparison
Mixing up aegyo sal and eye bags? Most people know that “eye bags” give an impression of looking “older and lifeless,” while “aegyo sal” look “young and bright.” The “aegyo sal” sit 4-6 mm right below the lower lashes, at the lower edge of the orbicularis oculi muscle, and become more obvious when you smile. “Eye bags” are the bulge beneath the aegyo sal; the clearly raised area when you look upward is the eye bag!
In the past, aegyo sal were created with “hyaluronic acid” injections. The treatment is quick and convenient, with no downtime and no wound or scar left behind. There may be slight swelling afterward, but it gradually subsides after about 2-3 days and looks more natural, making it very suitable for busy people.
However, hyaluronic acid injection is a real test of the doctor’s skill. If the doctor lacks experience or skill, it is easy to run into the “Tyndall effect”: when the filler is injected too superficially, the area looks puffy and swollen, not prettier but more like edema! In addition, after hyaluronic acid has been in place for a longer period, “hyaluronic acid sinking” may occur and the shape looks less concentrated. Because of these possible problems, a new permanent “aegyo sal implant surgery” was developed.
| Eye bags | Aegyo sal | |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Fat | Muscle |
| Location | The bulge below the aegyo sal | Lower edge of the orbicularis oculi muscle |
| Appearance | 1. Band-like bulge, a long thin oval 2. Feels softer and does not move with expressions | 1. Inverted triangle shape 2. Forms a crescent when smiling and moves with expressions |
How Aegyo Sal Surgery Is Done
Small incisions (about 0.5 cm) are made at the inner and outer corners of the eye, and an implant is placed, forming the aegyo sal. Because the incisions are tiny, they are hard to notice once healed, and because an “implant” is used, the overall result is relatively firm and natural.
What Implants Are Used?
There are many kinds of implants, such as fascia, dermal tissue, and now the most common high-tech, decellularized “allograft dermal tissue.” Allograft dermal tissue is popular because nothing needs to be taken from your own body, and after multiple precise, elaborate processing steps it is similar to human collagen, with no rejection problems. It is highly compatible and safe, and after the body absorbs a portion, the remaining tissue bonds with your own tissue over the long term, achieving a permanent effect. Although the recovery is longer, its thickness and shape also look more natural.
As for allograft dermal tissue, two products are legally approved in Taiwan: MegaDerm and MegaFill.
MegaFill allograft dermal powder is made by L&C Bio, a leading South Korean medical materials company. L&C Bio’s medical products are used widely around the world, and its MegaDerm allograft dermis has also become a popular choice in Taiwan’s plastic surgery community to replace artificial implants.
MegaDerm allograft dermis is mainly involved in processing skin, cartilage, and human tissue. It is certified by multiple regulators, including the U.S. FDA, Korea’s KFDA, and Taiwan’s TFDA, which confirm that the donor has no infectious diseases. The tissue is tested with serum and microbial testing before undergoing AlloClean decellularization to ensure the allograft dermis is safe from its source.
In addition, the sterilization method used in the MegaDerm process is a special E-beam (electron beam) method that sterilizes without damaging the tissue’s original 3D structure and collagen state, so it can completely eliminate the factors that trigger immune rejection, while preserving intact collagen and elastin, which supports dermal integration of cells and blood vessels.
| Aegyo sal treatment | Aegyo sal surgery | Hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Surgical implantation | Injection |
| Recovery | 1-2 weeks | No downtime; swelling gradually subsides in about 2-3 days |
| Longevity | Permanent | About 12-18 months |
| Pros | 1. More noticeable results 2. The implant resembles human collagen and is highly compatible | 1. No surgery needed 2. Shorter treatment time 3. No wounds or downtime after treatment |
| Cons | 1. Larger incisions and a longer recovery after surgery 2. Some of the implant is metabolized and absorbed | 1. Risk of the Tyndall effect 2. Results depend on the doctor’s skill, and too much filler looks unnatural |
How Aegyo Sal Differ Between Men and Women
Male celebrity example: Show Lo
Show Lo’s own aegyo sal are quite prominent: small at the inner corner of the eye and fuller toward the outer edge of the iris, so in terms of size they are among the more prominent types of aegyo sal. Without them, he would look more serious and his midface would look longer.
Female celebrity example: Tzuyu
Her aegyo sal are characterized by “balanced development,” as the shape is even from one end to the other, making them the type many women ask for. Without them, her face would look puffier.
This shows that aegyo sal have a decorative effect on the face that should not be underestimated!
Who Is Suited for Aegyo Sal? Can You Get Them If You Have Eye Bags?
Basically, anyone who wants aegyo sal can have the surgery. But first, we recommend understanding the condition of your eyes. With only slight eye bags, aegyo sal surgery can be done without affecting the result. With obvious eye bags, however, we still recommend having eye bag surgery first. After surgery you will find the aegyo sal more noticeable than before because the eye bags are gone, and you can then decide whether you still want aegyo sal surgery!
Surgery FAQ
Q: Will there be an unnatural bulge after surgery?
A: Because an implant is placed, there will be a slight bulge (aegyo sal shape) even when you are not smiling, and it becomes more obvious when you smile. If you do not mind a slight bulge at rest (the aegyo sal look), there is nothing to worry about and you can go ahead with confidence!
Q: How prominent should aegyo sal be to look good?
A: There is actually no fixed degree or standard for the surgery. It basically depends on your own features and finding balance, such as the ratio of the eye’s vertical axis to its horizontal axis, and it must match your own appearance and temperament to achieve a result that is both natural and suitable! This also really tests the doctor’s aesthetic sense!
Q: Is there an absorption rate issue with aegyo sal implants?
A: Any implant placed in the body will have this issue! In aegyo sal surgery, the body naturally absorbs about 20-30% in roughly half a year (actual results still vary from person to person), so doctors usually recommend placing a more noticeable size during surgery, and after the half-year recovery you will reach your ideal result.
But! We would like to remind everyone that if the implant is placed more prominently, there will definitely be a period after surgery when it looks unnatural, so evaluate this yourself and choose the approach you like or can accept!
Q: You mentioned that aegyo sal surgery can make the eyes look bigger. Should I choose aegyo sal surgery or lower eyelid lowering surgery?
A: What to consider is “the condition of your eyes.” If your eyes or palpebral fissures show very little, meaning the lower lid covers much of the iris, we recommend lower eyelid lowering surgery first so more of the iris shows and the eyes look much bigger! On the other hand, if the amount of iris showing is just right and you only want to add some approachability and cuteness, you can consider aegyo sal surgery.
This article is for general information only. Results vary from person to person; please consult a doctor in person before deciding on any treatment.
