Endoscopic Fox Eye Surgery in Antalya

A complete endoscopic approach to the upper face — through a single hidden incision in the hairline. Lifted eyes, lifted brow, lifted mid-face. No visible scars.

Opening

Fox eye surgery has become one of the most requested aesthetic procedures of the past five years. Driven by social media, celebrity influence, and a renewed interest in the almond-shaped, lifted eye, demand across the UK and Europe has grown sharply.

I am Op. Dr. Aytaç Kılıç, an ENT and facial aesthetic surgeon based in Antalya, with international surgical experience gained at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Otolaryngology. The fox eye is a regular part of my practice — but the technique I use is different from the version most patients first encounter online. Rather than making incisions at the outer corner of the eye, I work entirely endoscopically through a single hidden incision in the hairline, releasing the deep ligaments that descend with age and lifting the upper face from beneath. The result lasts longer, looks more natural, and leaves no visible scars.

How My Approach Differs

Most fox eye procedures performed elsewhere fall into one of two categories. The first is a thread lift — temporary, lasting 6 to 18 months, frequently associated with complications like thread migration and visible irregularities. The second is a traditional canthoplasty performed through an incision at the outer corner of the eye, which sits the lateral canthal tendon in a higher position but cannot lift the surrounding facial structures.

My approach is different. I perform the entire procedure endoscopically, through a single incision approximately 3 cm long, placed about 1.5–2 cm behind the hairline and entirely concealed within the hair. Through this incision — using an endoscope to visualise the deep tissues directly — I release the ligaments around the eye and brow that descend with age, and reposition the deeper layers of the upper face along a diagonal, upward-and-outward vector. That diagonal direction is what produces the elongated, feminine almond-shaped appearance that defines the fox eye look — a purely vertical pull would lift the tissue but lose the characteristic outward sweep. There are no scars on the face itself.

This is the same surgical philosophy behind what is internationally known as the endoscopic mid-face lift, the endoscopic brow lift, the temporal lift, and the ponytail lift — and in my hands, all four can be performed through that single hidden incision, in the same operative session.

One Operation, Four Components

Through that single hidden incision, four distinct procedures can be performed — alone or in any combination, depending on what your face needs:

Endoscopic Mid-Face Lift

The mid-face — the cheek and the area beneath the eye — descends with age, gravity, and weight loss. Working endoscopically in the deep plane, the supporting ligaments are released and the mid-face is repositioned along a diagonal, upward-and-outward vector. The result is a refreshed, lifted, more feminine contour through the central face.

Endoscopic Temporal Lift (Temple Lift)

The temporal region, between the brow and the hairline, is where the diagonal upward-and-outward vector of the lift is anchored. Lifting this area opens the eye, elongates the lateral canthus, and contributes the outward sweep that gives the fox eye its characteristic almond shape.

Endoscopic Canthoplasty

The lateral canthal area — the outer corner of the eye — is repositioned through deep-plane release rather than through a skin incision at the eye corner. This produces the upturned, almond-shaped eye while keeping the eye’s natural shape and avoiding scarring on the eyelid itself.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

The brow is elevated and reshaped, particularly the outer third, which contributes significantly to the lifted-eye appearance. For patients who do not want elevated brows, this component is omitted.

Two Versions — Defined or Natural

Not every patient wants the dramatic, visibly-lifted fox eye look. Some want a clear, intentional change. Others want a refreshed appearance with no obvious sign of surgery. Both are achievable with this approach — the difference is which components we use.

Defined fox eye look (full four-component lift)

Mid-face lift + temporal lift + endoscopic canthoplasty + brow lift, performed together. This produces the elongated, almond-shaped, clearly-lifted eye most associated with the fox eye trend. Often combined with upper blepharoplasty and sometimes with rhinoplasty for patients seeking a coordinated central-face change.

Natural lift (mid-face + temporal lift only)

For patients who do not want a visibly elevated brow or a strong almond shape — or whose brow position is already good — only the mid-face lift and temporal lift are performed. The diagonal vector still produces a subtle fox eye effect, but the result reads as well-rested rather than surgical. Ideal for patients who want longevity and rejuvenation without the dramatic look.

Why Endoscopic — The Practical Advantages

No visible scars on the face. The single 3 cm incision is hidden 1.5–2 cm behind the hairline, completely concealed within the hair. After healing, there is no external sign of surgery.

Direct vision in the deep plane. Working with an endoscope, I can see the deep tissues directly — releasing supporting ligaments precisely and repositioning structures with control that surface techniques cannot match.

Longer-lasting results. Because the lift is performed by releasing the ligaments that have descended with age and weight loss, and securing the deeper structures in their elevated position, the result holds longer than thread lifts (which last 6–18 months) or surface canthoplasty (which lifts only the eye corner without addressing the supporting tissues).

Combined procedures, single recovery. Mid-face lift, temporal lift, canthoplasty, and brow lift can be performed in the same session through the same incision — one anaesthesia, one recovery period, no additional scarring.

Often Combined With

Upper Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift): for patients with hooded or heavy upper lids. The endoscopic upper-face lift opens the eye area; upper blepharoplasty refines the lid itself.

Rhinoplasty: when the patient wants a coordinated change across the central face. Planned carefully if combined in the same operative session, or staged if anatomy and recovery suggest separation.

Are You a Candidate

This approach is appropriate for patients who are 18 years or older with stable facial anatomy; have realistic expectations calibrated to what their anatomy allows; have not had unsuccessful eye surgery in the past; and are in good general health and non-smokers.

We honestly turn away patients whose anatomy does not safely allow for the lift they are requesting, and patients whose reference images are heavily filtered or surgically modified to a degree that cannot be replicated on real anatomy. The conversation in consultation is direct: we plan together what is possible — not what an Instagram filter can deliver.

A Note on Reference Images

Many patients arrive with reference photos from Instagram or TikTok. Some are filtered or shot at flattering angles; others are realistic. We will look at your reference photos with you and discuss them honestly — what is achievable, what is not, and what the trade-offs are. Bring them. They are useful.

The Procedure

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. Total operation time is approximately 1.5–2 hours.

A single approximately 3 cm incision is made about 1.5–2 cm behind the hairline, fully concealed in the hair. Through this incision, using endoscopic visualisation, the supporting ligaments of the upper and mid-face are released and the deeper structures are elevated and secured. The skin is closed with absorbable sutures — there are no sutures to remove afterwards.

Patients spend one night in the hospital under monitoring before discharge.

Recovery

• Days 1–3: swelling around the upper face. Mild discomfort more from tightness than pain. Cold compresses help. Sleep elevated.
• Days 4–7: bruising fades. No sutures to remove — closure is with absorbable stitches inside the hairline.
• Weeks 2–4: most patients return to office work and social activities within 10–14 days. Visible swelling continues to subside.
• Months 1–3: shape settles. Final lift becomes apparent.
• Long-term: results from this endoscopic, deep-plane approach are stable for many years — significantly longer than thread lifts or surface-only techniques.

How we follow you through recovery

Across this recovery, we ask every patient to send weekly photos and videos in the first month, then transition to a structured longer-term schedule that continues until we tell you it is no longer needed. Based on what we see, we adjust your guidance — taping, massage techniques, medications, vitamins, or creams — as your healing requires. Patient compliance with this follow-up is part of the surgery, not a finishing touch on top of it.

For International Patients

Stay Duration: We recommend 7–10 days minimum. Surgery, initial recovery, and final examination must all occur before flight clearance. Because closure uses absorbable stitches placed inside the hairline, there are no sutures to remove.

Package Inclusions: Our package includes the surgeon’s fee, anaesthesia, and operating room; one night hospital stay (private room); all pre-operative tests and post-operative medications; hotel accommodation; all transfers (airport, hospital, hotel, follow-up); English-speaking patient care team throughout; final examination before flight; structured post-operative follow-up via video and WhatsApp.

Pricing is shared individually after your video consultation, once we have understood the specifics of your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have visible scars on my face?

No. The single incision is placed approximately 1.5–2 cm behind the hairline, entirely concealed within the hair. There are no incisions on the face, the eyelid, or the eye corner.

How is this different from thread fox eye lifts?

Thread lifts are temporary — lasting 6 to 18 months — and are associated with complications like thread migration, visible irregularities, and skin dimpling. The endoscopic approach surgically releases and repositions the deep tissues, producing a result that is structural, stable, and far longer-lasting.

How is this different from canthoplasty performed at the eye corner?

A surface canthoplasty repositions only the lateral canthal tendon at the outer eye corner. It cannot address the descended ligaments of the mid-face or brow that contribute to a tired or downturned appearance. The endoscopic approach lifts the entire upper face from beneath — eye corner, mid-face, brow, and temple together — through one hidden incision.

Can I have only the natural lift, without the brow lift?

Yes. For patients who do not want a visibly elevated brow, only the mid-face lift and temporal lift are performed. The diagonal vector still produces a subtle fox eye effect, with a more natural-looking result.

How long do the results last?

Significantly longer than thread lifts (6–18 months) or surface canthoplasty alone. Because the procedure releases descended ligaments and repositions deeper structures, results from this endoscopic approach are stable for many years. The natural ageing process continues, but the structural change holds.

Will my hair be shaved?

No. The hair around the incision area is parted and the incision is placed within the parting; no hair is shaved or removed.

Are there sutures that need to be removed?

No. Closure is performed with absorbable stitches placed inside the hairline, so there is nothing to remove afterwards. This makes recovery simpler — no follow-up suture-removal appointment, no discomfort from removal, and no risk of marks from skin sutures.

Can this be combined with rhinoplasty?

Yes. Many patients combine the fox eye procedure with rhinoplasty for a coordinated change to the central face — planned carefully in the same session or staged depending on anatomy and recovery considerations.

How long until I can return to work?

Office work: 10–14 days. Public-facing roles: closer to 14–21 days. Strenuous physical exercise: 4–6 weeks.

What is the minimum age for fox eye surgery?

18 years, with stable facial anatomy. We do not perform this surgery on minors regardless of family request.

Take the Next Step

Whether you want a clearly defined fox eye change or a more subtle, natural lift, the difference between a result you live happily with and one you regret comes down to careful planning and a technique designed to last. The first consultation is short, free, and conducted directly with Dr. Aytaç Kılıç via video. Bring your reference photos, your questions, and your goals.