How long fox eyes lasts and what changes from one technique to another

How long fox eyes lasts

When a patient asks me how long fox eyes lasts, the honest answer starts with another question: with which technique? The name fox eyes, or brow lift with threads, has become an umbrella term for procedures that are quite different from one another. How long it lasts depends mainly on the type of thread and on how it is anchored.

With the technique I use, with long-lasting tension threads, the effect lasts about 3 years on average. This is an average, not a guarantee, because every body responds in its own way. Skin quality, age, eyebrow anatomy, the strength of the muscles in the area, and even habits such as sun exposure all play a role. That is why I never promise an exact number.

Long-lasting threads or PDO threads

Put simply, the threads used in the face fall into two groups.

• Short-lasting absorbable threads, such as PDO (polydioxanone) threads. They usually have small barbs that grip the tissue, and the body reabsorbs them over time.
• Long-lasting threads, which are non-absorbable or absorbed very slowly, such as the Bulgarian threads I use for fox eyes. They are anchored to firm points and support the tail of the eyebrow for longer.

The difference shows up on the calendar. In a study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal with 160 patients treated with barbed threads in the face, the improvement was evident right after the procedure, dropped noticeably at 6 months, and was no longer visible at 1 year. This finding helps explain why the choice of thread matters so much for the result.

What about botulinum toxin? And surgery?

Botulinum toxin can also lift the tail of the eyebrow. It relaxes the muscles that pull the eyebrow down, and the forehead muscle, without that opposing force, raises the brow. It is a useful tool, but a subtle one: in a study of patients treated with toxin alone, the eyebrow rose by an average of 1.35 mm. And the effect wears off as the body metabolizes the toxin, which means periodic repeat treatments.

That is why I say that, with fox eyes done with long-lasting threads, you do not depend on toxin to keep the eyebrow lifted. Toxin still has a place in the plan. In many cases, I use both: the thread supports the tail of the eyebrow, and the toxin softens lines and balances the muscles.

Surgery plays a different role. When there is significant excess skin on the upper eyelid or marked drooping of the eyebrow, a thread does not solve the problem, because it does not remove skin. In these cases, I explain during the consultation that surgery is indicated and advise the patient to see a surgeon. Fox eyes is for people who want to lift their gaze without incisions and for whom it is indicated.

Flat eyebrows and a tired look

Many patients come to my office saying they look tired even after a good night's sleep. They think the problem is dark circles. Often, what makes the eyes look heavy is the position of the eyebrow: it has become flat and straight, with the tail at the same level as the head of the brow or below it. What looks like fatigue is often a matter of positioning.

During the analysis, I look at the height and arch of the eyebrow, the eyelid skin, the symmetry between the two sides, and the shape of the eyes at rest and in motion. When the main concern is a drooping tail, lifting that point usually makes the eyes look more rested and arched. The goal is to bring lightness back to the expression, without creating a pulled look and without changing your natural features.

Risks and complications

Every medical procedure carries risks, and fox eyes is no exception. In the first few days, the following are common:

• swelling around the eyebrow and temple;
• bruising at the thread entry points;
• tenderness to the touch and when moving the forehead;
• temporary asymmetry, which tends to settle.

Less often, there may be small ripples in the skin, a palpable thread, extrusion, which is when the tip of the thread shows at the surface, and infection. The literature on suspension threads describes these complications and also how to treat them, which may include massage, adjustment, or removal of the thread. That is why the follow-up visit after the procedure is part of the treatment, and any unusual sign should be reported to the doctor.

Who is not a candidate

The consultation is also a chance to say no. In general, I do not recommend fox eyes, or I postpone the procedure, in these situations:

• Significant excess skin on the eyelid, where surgery tends to be the indication.
• Active infection or inflammation in the area, which needs to be treated first.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding, periods when I prefer to postpone elective cosmetic procedures.
• Expecting a dramatic change, because fox eyes lifts and softens without completely changing the look of your eyes.

It is also important to mention during the consultation any previous illnesses, allergies, medications you take regularly, and previous procedures in the area. With this information, I can tell you whether fox eyes makes sense for you, which technique to use, and what to expect, realistically.

Frequently asked questions