2026-06-04
Why Men Should Avoid Non-Incisional Ptosis Correction
A plastic surgeon explains why non-incisional ptosis correction often fails for men due to thick skin and subcutaneous tissue, recommending incisional methods for 80-90% of male patients.
Why Men Should Avoid Non-Incisional Ptosis Correction
Reasons why men should avoid non-incisional ptosis correction… this is my personal opinion.
The photo above shows a patient who underwent non-incisional ptosis correction.
Regardless of gender, I only perform non-incisional ptosis correction in the following cases:
- When the correction required is less than 1mm
- When there is no skin sagging
- When the skin is thin and there is no risk of the crease loosening
- When there is very little subcutaneous tissue, such as fat
You can see in the photo above that the skin is quite thin.
However, men, in particular, often have thick skin and a significant amount of subcutaneous tissue, which gives the eyelids a heavy appearance. In such cases, there is a very high tendency for the results to loosen. In my personal experience, about 80% to 90% of male patients require incisional ptosis correction or incisional double eyelid surgery. It is also possible that patients who were deemed difficult cases for non-incisional surgery at other clinics come to me for a second opinion.
If the skin is thin and non-incisional ptosis correction is successful, nothing could be better. It is comfortable for both the patient and the surgeon.
However, just because it is easier for the surgeon, if you perform a non-incisional procedure on someone who isn’t a good candidate, and it loosens or loses its effect within a few months, what happens to the patient’s recovery time and the money they spent?
Of course, from my perspective, if a patient strongly insists on a non-incisional method even though they need an incisional one, I may occasionally perform it. However, I cannot perform it on someone for whom it is obvious that the results will fail quickly.
For someone with thick eyelids like the photo below, non-incisional surgery is absolutely impossible.
Even with the incisional method, there isn’t that much swelling. Most of the swelling subsides within just one week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does non-incisional ptosis correction often loosen in men?
This is because men have thicker eyelid skin and more subcutaneous tissue compared to women. When non-incisional surgery is performed on thick skin, the fixation strength is weak, and it tends to loosen easily within a few months.
What are the suitable eye conditions for non-incisional ptosis correction?
It is suitable for eyes with thin skin, no sagging, and little subcutaneous fat. Additionally, when the amount to be corrected is less than 1mm, applying the non-incisional method can achieve good results without worrying about loosening.
What kind of surgery should men with thick eyelids undergo?
Incisional ptosis correction or incisional double eyelid surgery is recommended. In fact, 80-90% of male patients undergo surgery using the incisional method, which prevents loosening and provides a more definite corrective effect.
Does incisional ptosis correction cause prolonged swelling?
No, the swelling does not last as long as you might think. Even with incisional surgery, most of the major swelling subsides within about a week, so there is no significant difficulty in returning to daily life.