Fox Eye and Cat Eye Surgery: Your Complete Guide to Achieving the Coveted Almond-Shaped Eye Look
The sultry, elongated almond-shaped eye has become one of the most sought-after aesthetic trends in cosmetic surgery. From Bella Hadid to Kendall Jenner, celebrities have popularized the "fox eye" and "cat eye" looks, driving unprecedented demand for procedures that create this captivating appearance. But what exactly are these procedures, and which option is right for you?
Understanding Fox Eye and Cat Eye Surgery
Fox eye surgery, medically known as canthoplasty or canthopexy, is a procedure that lifts and repositions the outer corners of the eyes to create a more pronounced, exotic eye shape. While not new in facial aesthetics, it has become one of the most in-demand procedures thanks to social media influence.
Many people use the terms "fox eye" and "cat eye" interchangeably, but some practitioners differentiate them, with cat eye surgery typically creating a more dramatic change by lifting the outer canthus higher and pulling it farther outward.
The Surgical Approach: Canthoplasty vs. Canthopexy
The two primary surgical techniques for achieving this look are canthoplasty and canthopexy, each serving different needs:
Canthoplasty
Canthoplasty involves creating an incision near the outer corner of the eye, releasing the canthal tendon, and repositioning it higher to lift the outer eye corner. Plastic surgeons perform canthoplasty to provide substantial structural support and tightening to the lower eyelid.
Canthopexy
Lateral canthopexy reinforces the lateral canthal tendon without creating an incision near the eye corner, using sutures to secure the tendon in its new position. Surgeons perform the less-invasive canthopexy to reinforce existing lid structure using more minimal techniques.
The Complete Fox Eye Transformation
What pop culture terms "fox eye surgery" often isn't a single procedure - to achieve the look of a wide, tilted eye, plastic surgeons may perform several procedures in a single surgery, including canthoplasty or canthopexy, blepharoplasty, midface lift, and eyebrow lift.
At leading plastic surgery centers, achieving the fox eyes look typically entails two procedures in one surgery: a lateral canthopexy and a brow lift. The brow lifting is necessary so that the brows harmonize with the newly improved eye shape, and as a bonus, it corrects heavy upper eyelids and smooths forehead lines.
The Surgical Procedure: What to Expect
The surgical fox eye lift procedure is performed under local anesthesia, taking approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Minimal incisions are made in the scalp, and the ligaments at the outer edges of the eyes are pulled up through these incisions and fixed on the bones.
Many surgeons perform eye lift procedures in-office under local anesthesia with twilight sedation, numbing the area so patients feel zero pain while using twilight sedation to reduce anxiety. This approach is gentler than general anesthesia, allowing patients to breathe on their own and recover faster.
Recovery and Results
What to Expect After Surgery
Fox eye lift surgery offers a relatively fast and easy recovery because the incisions are very small, with mild pain typically lasting about one day. Patients should keep their heads elevated during the first week of recovery and avoid exercise, strenuous activity, and wearing makeup.
The recovery period varies from patient to patient, but typically takes 10 to 15 days on average, with slight swelling, redness, and very mild pain immediately after the operation. Minor tenderness, bruising, and swelling can take a week or two to subside, but patients generally resume normal activities after bandages are removed at their follow-up appointment in about a week.
Long-Term Results
Unlike PDO thread lifts that typically only last around three months, canthoplasty surgery is permanent. This makes choosing a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon critical for your fox eye lift.
Although young and middle-aged individuals may develop sagging skin around their eyes over time due to aging, long-lasting results can be obtained with endoscopic eyebrow lift and eye lift operations.
Non-Surgical Alternative: Thread Lifts
For those seeking a less permanent solution, thread lifts offer an appealing alternative to surgical procedures.
How Thread Lifts Work
A cat eye lift is a minimally invasive nonsurgical procedure using dissolvable PDO threads inserted into the brow, drawing the brows outward to achieve a wider, more mysterious look around the eyes. When the threads are inserted, the PDO material spurs your body to produce more collagen and elastin, increasing skin volume and the appearance of fullness in the brow.
This minimally invasive procedure involves placing thin sutures under your skin using local anesthetic, with edges dotted with barbs or cones to grasp soft tissues and pull them upwards when the surgeon tightens them.
Duration and Maintenance
A cat eye lift typically takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete, with results becoming evident within hours and dramatic in the weeks following the procedure. However, the threads are made of materials that your body will absorb over time - usually over six months to a year, after which tissues will relax again and the fox eye look will gradually fade.
After six to eight months, PDO threads will dissolve, but results can last for up to one year as the threads help stimulate collagen production in the skin.
Cost Considerations
Surgical Fox Eye Surgery Costs
The national average cost of a canthoplasty fox eye surgery is $6,702, but costs can range from $5,173 to $10,993, varying based on the surgeon's experience, geographic location, and other factors. Patients can expect to pay between $3,000 and $8,000 for the surgery.
If you have multiple procedures done during fox eye surgery, such as a midface lift, brow lift, dermal fillers, or Botox injections, your cost may be substantially higher.
Thread Lift Costs
Thread lifts offer a more budget-friendly option. The national average cost of a fox eye thread lift is $2,708, but costs can range from $2,095 to $5,199. On average, the cost of a cat eye thread lift can range from $500 to $3,000, with price varying due to factors like the clinic's location, the surgeon's expertise, and the number of threads used.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Ideal Candidates for Surgical Procedures
Candidates for canthoplasty seek the procedure for both functional and aesthetic reasons, including eyelid malposition conditions like ectropion or entropion, and aesthetic enhancement to achieve a more youthful, almond-shaped eye.
The ideal candidate is not pregnant, breastfeeding, or an active smoker, and certain medical conditions may preclude some individuals from having surgery.
Ideal Candidates for Thread Lifts
Thread lifting treatments are not recommended for people who have blood clotting disorders, an acute infection, or keloid scars. Those who wish to appear as though their eyes are almond-shaped can consider a fox eye lift, and the procedure may be helpful for people who have mild to moderate eyebrow sagging.
Benefits of Fox Eye and Cat Eye Surgery
Canthoplasty surgery offers several benefits, including enhanced eye shape by achieving the almond-shaped fox eye look, improved eyelid function through correcting malposition, a rejuvenated appearance by reducing signs of aging, and boosted self-confidence.
The appeal extends beyond aesthetics. Drooping eye corners can make a person look older, tired, sad, or even angry, while uplifted eye corners impart youthfulness and glamour.
Potential Risks and Considerations
Like any surgical procedure, fox eye surgery carries potential risks. Potential risks include infection, scarring, asymmetry, and dry eyes. To save results for as long as possible, you should stay away from anything that strains your eyes, such as prolonged screen time, especially in the initial days following surgery.
Since canthoplasty is a highly artistic and delicate procedure, the level of artistry required to achieve natural, beautiful, and long-lasting results requires tremendous nuance. This is why evaluating surgeons' before-and-after photographs with an aesthetic eye is crucial.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, as all members are board certified, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, and practice in accredited facilities.
Surgeons have different skill levels and aesthetic nuance, bringing the best results to varying degrees of ability, which is why you must evaluate their before/after photographs with an aesthetic eye.
The Verdict: Surgery or Thread Lift?
A fox eye thread lift is the perfect choice for someone who wants a temporary change of appearance instead of a long-term commitment. However, for those seeking permanent results, surgical canthoplasty offers a lasting transformation.
Looking at the future of this type of procedure, plastic surgery techniques are forever evolving, with operations getting better over time. The look is becoming more predictable and natural with less downtime, and advances in perioperative care have made these results more accessible to more patients.
Final Thoughts
The fox eye and cat eye aesthetic trend shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you opt for permanent surgical intervention or temporary thread lifts, achieving that coveted almond-shaped eye look is more accessible than ever. The key is choosing the right procedure for your goals, budget, and lifestyle, and most importantly, selecting a skilled, experienced surgeon who can deliver natural-looking results.
Remember that millimeter changes throughout the face can synergize beautifully into stunning yet natural results. Your eyes are one of the most defining features of your face, so take the time to research, consult with multiple surgeons, and make an informed decision that you'll be confident about for years to come.