Fox eyes in Switzerland: achieving an elongated look with caution

The so-called "fox eyes" look refers to an eye that is slightly elongated and lifted towards the temple, with a raised eyebrow tail. Popularised by social media, it is the subject of many requests. Yet this term covers very different techniques: make-up, botulinum toxin, thread lifts, temporal lift, surgical modification of the corner of the eye. They do not have the same effects, duration or risks. This page explains what each can do, for whom, with what limitations, and how to approach this request in Switzerland with caution. For eyelid surgery as a whole, see our page on blepharoplasty in Switzerland.

The fox-eye effect is mainly achieved by lifting the eyebrow tail and the temple region, more rarely by changing the shape of the corner of the eye. Non-surgical solutions such as botulinum toxin and threads give a slight, temporary effect. The temporal lift gives a clearer and longer-lasting effect. Eye-corner surgery is delicate and carries functional risks; it should not be performed to follow a trend. Eyes in harmony with the rest of the face remain the goal. The relative budget is on our page on fox eyes prices in Switzerland.

The eyebrow tail

Its height and orientation strongly influence whether the eyes look elongated or droopy. With age, it is often the first part to drop.

The temples

Their volume and the tension of the tissues support the eyebrow tail and the outer corner of the eye.

The outer corner of the eye

It is held by a tendon attached to the bone of the eye socket. Its position, slightly higher than the inner corner in most people, gives the eye a natural tilt.

The upper eyelid

Excess skin or a dropped eyebrow weighs down the outer part of the eyes and masks their tilt.

The expression "fox eyes" became popular on social media in the late 2010s, through photos of models and influencers with eyes elongated towards the temples. Make-up first spread this style, with extended eyeliner and eyebrows redrawn to a point. Practitioners then offered techniques supposed to reproduce this effect more lastingly.

The phenomenon illustrates the influence of digital images on cosmetic requests. Many reference photos are retouched, taken with filters or in poses where the skin of the temples is pulled. Before considering a procedure, it is worth asking yourself whether you are looking for a passing style or a lasting improvement of your own eyes.

The shape of the eyes and eyebrows has always been subject to fashion. In ancient Egypt, kohl elongated the eyes towards the temples; during the twentieth century, eyebrows were alternately plucked into a fine line, then left thick and natural. The elongated eyes of the 1960s return regularly, today under the name fox eyes. These cycles are a reminder that it is better to avoid irreversible changes to follow a trend, and to favour what lastingly enhances your own face.

The eyebrow is divided into three parts: the head, near the nose, the body and the tail, towards the temple. In most women, the highest point of the eyebrow lies above the outer edge of the iris or slightly further out, then the tail descends gently towards the temple. In men, the eyebrow is lower and more horizontal. This shape varies according to heritage, age and genetics.

With age, the eyebrow tail is the first to drop, as it is less supported by the forehead muscle, which acts mainly in the centre. This descent gives a sad or tired look and pushes the eyelid skin downwards. Slightly lifting the eyebrow tail is therefore often the key step to opening up the eyes.

Several muscles act around the eyes. The frontalis muscle, on the forehead, is the only one that raises the eyebrows. The orbicularis muscle, a ring around the eye, closes the eyelids and pulls the eyebrow tail down. The muscles between the eyebrows draw them together and lower them, creating the frown line. The balance between these forces determines the position and movement of the eyebrow.

Botulinum toxin uses this balance: by relaxing certain fibres of the orbicularis at the eyebrow tail, it allows the frontalis to lift this part slightly. Too broad a dose can, on the contrary, make the eyebrow drop or freeze the expression, hence the importance of precise knowledge of the anatomy.

The eyebrows take part in almost all our expressions: surprise, anger, sadness, joy, concentration. A procedure that freezes them or places them too high can change how others perceive our emotions, with a surprised or cold look. Experienced practitioners seek to preserve the natural mobility of the eyebrows, by dosing botulinum toxin in a measured way and avoiding excessive lifts.

For people whose work depends on expression, such as actors, teachers or people who often speak in public, it is useful to mention this at the consultation so that the procedure can be adapted.

The temple region, between the eyebrow and the hairline, loses volume with age, thinness or certain endurance sports. A hollow temple gives the face a gaunt appearance and leaves the eyebrow tail unsupported. Restoring a little volume to the temple, with hyaluronic acid or fat, can both rejuvenate the face and support the eyebrow, contributing to more open eyes.

The temple does, however, contain important blood vessels. Injections there require a suitable technique, often deep against the bone or with a cannula, by an experienced practitioner.

Very slim people and endurance athletes, such as runners or cyclists, often lose volume at the temples and cheeks, which gives a hollow face and a less supported eyebrow. Restoring a little volume to the temple, with hyaluronic acid or fat, can open up the eyes naturally, often better than an isolated brow lift. The practitioner assesses this volume during the examination.

The outer corner of the eye, called the lateral canthus, is held by a tendon that fixes both eyelids to the bone of the eye socket, slightly higher than the inner corner. This natural tilt varies from person to person and according to heritage. It contributes to the almond shape of the eyes, but above all to proper eyelid closure and the drainage of tears towards the inner corner.

Changing this architecture to obtain more elongated eyes is not trivial. That is why most practitioners favour procedures on the eyebrow and temple, which change the frame of the eyes without touching this functional structure.

There is no ideal eye shape. Round, almond-shaped, slightly downturned or upturned eyes each have their charm and suit the shape of the face, the height of the cheekbones and the position of the eyebrows differently. Naturally upturned eyes do not need to be elongated further; downturned eyes can benefit from a slight lift of the eyebrow tail.

The practitioner's analysis covers the whole face, from the front and in profile, at rest and in motion. It aims to find the procedure that enhances your eyes, rather than reproducing a model.

In many people, one eyebrow is naturally higher than the other, or rises more in motion. This asymmetry, often unnoticed, becomes visible after a procedure that lifts both eyebrows identically. The practitioner measures it before any treatment and adjusts the botulinum toxin doses or the thread tension on each side.

After treatment, slight asymmetry may persist or appear. With botulinum toxin, a touch-up at two weeks often corrects it. With threads or surgery, you must wait until the swelling has gone to judge, as early asymmetry often fades.

Some techniques aimed at elongating the corner of the eye also pull on the lower eyelid. If it is already lax, it can drop and show the white of the eye below the iris, giving a sad or surprised look, and encourage dryness. The practitioner assesses the tone of the lower eyelid before any procedure acting near the corner of the eye, and rules out risky techniques if it is fragile.

The eyes are not judged in isolation. The height of the forehead, the shape of the cheekbones, the projection of the nose, the shape of the chin and the width of the face influence how the eyes are perceived. A brow lift that looks harmonious on a long face may seem excessive on a short, wide face. High cheekbones naturally reinforce the elongated effect; supporting the cheekbone can sometimes be enough to open up the eyes.

That is why the practitioner observes the face as a whole, from the front and in profile, before proposing a procedure. A small, well-placed change often has more effect than a major modification of a single element.

Well-projected cheekbones support the lower part of the eyes and accentuate the impression of an almond-shaped eye, elongated towards the temple. With age, cheekbone volume decreases and descends, which deepens the tear trough and gives a wearier look. Restoring a little volume at the cheekbones, with hyaluronic acid or fat, can contribute to the desired effect, often more naturally than elongating the corner of the eye.

Tired-looking eyes can have several causes, often combined: a descending eyebrow tail, excess skin on the upper eyelid, bags or dark circles under the eyes, a hollow temple, crow's feet, or simply lack of sleep and dull skin. Fox eyes only acts on some of these causes, mainly the position of the eyebrow and support of the temple.

Identifying precisely what gives the impression of tiredness allows the right treatment to be chosen. Correcting only the eyebrow tail when the problem comes from the eyelids or dark circles gives a disappointing result. The practitioner examines the whole eye area before proposing a plan.

Photos and video calls, often taken from below with a close camera, distort the face and accentuate a drooping eyebrow or heavy eyelids. Before deciding on a procedure, it is useful to look at yourself in a mirror at eye level, in daylight, and to take photos with a camera placed at a good distance. A camera at eye level and lighting from the front also greatly improve your appearance on video calls.

Dark circles and the hollow under the eyes, called the tear trough, contribute greatly to the impression of tiredness. Lifting the eyebrow tail does not act on these areas. Depending on their cause, dark circles call for hyaluronic acid injections, fat transfer, lower blepharoplasty or skin treatments for pigmented dark circles. An overall eye plan can combine these procedures with caution.

Crow's feet, at the outer corner of the eye, are due to contraction of the orbicularis muscle when smiling or squinting. They accentuate the impression of droopy eyes. Botulinum toxin softens them effectively, and the same treatment can slightly lift the eyebrow tail. For fine lines in the skin, treatments such as laser or peels improve texture. See our page on laser blepharoplasty.

When the skin of the upper eyelid hangs over the lashes, lifting the eyebrow is not always enough, and upper blepharoplasty is often necessary. Conversely, removing eyelid skin without lifting a drooping eyebrow can lower the eyebrow further. The practitioner assesses the contribution of each before proposing a single procedure or a combination. See our page on blepharoplasty.

These guidelines are general; genetics, sun, smoking and weight changes speed up or slow down these changes.

Make-up

An eyeliner flick extended towards the temple and a redrawn eyebrow give the effect without any risk. It is also a good way to test a direction.

Botulinum toxin

By relaxing the muscle that pulls the eyebrow tail down, it lifts it slightly by a few millimetres. The effect is discreet and lasts three to four months. See our page on botulinum toxin injections.

Thread lifts

Absorbable threads with small barbs are inserted under the skin through a small entry point in the scalp at the temple, then pulled upwards to lift the eyebrow tail. The effect is immediate but temporary, often six to twelve months, and sometimes less marked than expected.

Hyaluronic acid

Injected into the temple or under the eyebrow tail, it restores volume and slightly supports the eyebrow. It is often combined with botulinum toxin.

The temporal lift

Through small incisions hidden in the hair at the temple, the surgeon lifts and fixes the tissues of the temple region and the eyebrow tail. The effect is clear and lasting. See our page on brow and temporal-midface lift.

Eye-corner surgery

Canthopexy or canthoplasty repositions the tendon at the outer corner of the eye, sometimes slightly higher. It is delicate surgery, originally intended to support a lax lower eyelid. Used for purely cosmetic purposes to elongate the eye, it carries real functional risks.

This table gives general trends. The choice depends on your face, your expectations and your tolerance of risk. The least invasive techniques are often a good starting point for testing the effect.

Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks transmission between nerve and muscle, which relaxes the injected muscle. For the eyes, the fibres of the orbicularis that pull the eyebrow tail down are targeted, sometimes combined with injections on the forehead or between the eyebrows to balance the expression. The doses are low and the injection quick.

The effect appears gradually over a few days, peaks at around two weeks and fades within three to four months. Repeated injections can slightly prolong the effect. After the injection, it is advisable not to massage the area, not to lie down for a few hours and to avoid intense sport on the same day.

The result is subtle: a lift of a few millimetres that opens up the eyes without transforming them. It is often the best way to test the effect of a higher eyebrow before considering a longer-lasting procedure.

Several botulinum toxin products are authorised in Switzerland for cosmetic use. They have similar properties, but their dosage units are not interchangeable, and each practitioner has their own habits. To lift the eyebrow tail, low doses are used, spread over a few precise points. A dose that is too high or poorly placed can produce the opposite effect or freeze the expression.

Ask which product is used and at what dose, and note it down: this information helps adjust later sessions or compare if you change practitioner.

Hyaluronic acid is a gel that restores volume. For the eyes, it can be injected into the temple, to fill a hollow and support the eyebrow tail, or under the eyebrow tail, to project it slightly upwards. These injections are given with a needle or cannula, often deep, against the bone.

The eyebrow and temple region contains arteries whose accidental blockage by the gel can cause skin compromise and, very rarely, damage to vision. Experienced practitioners use safety techniques and have an enzyme that dissolves the gel if there is a problem. Intense pain, pale or abnormally coloured skin, or a visual disturbance during or after the injection require immediate treatment.

Excess hyaluronic acid, a poorly placed gel that creates a lump or a heavy look, or a vascular complication can be corrected by injecting an enzyme that dissolves the gel within a few hours to a few days. This is one of the advantages of this product compared with permanent products, which are not advised around the eyes. A practitioner who injects hyaluronic acid must have this enzyme.

Fat transfer, or lipofilling, involves taking a little fat from the abdomen or thighs and, after preparation, reinjecting it into the temples or under the eyebrow tail. It restores natural, lasting volume, with some of the fat being reabsorbed in the first few months. It is often combined with a temporal lift or blepharoplasty. See our page on facial fat transfer.

The threads used for the eyes are absorbable, made of materials long used in surgery, and have barbs, cones or spirals that grip the tissues. They are inserted under the skin from an entry point in the scalp or at the hairline, then directed towards the eyebrow tail. By pulling on the thread, the practitioner lifts the tissues, then cuts off the end.

Their effect relies on two mechanisms: immediate traction, which decreases within a few weeks, and a healing reaction around the thread, which produces collagen and moderately firms the tissues. Results vary from person to person and are less predictable than with surgery. They are better suited to young people with good-quality skin and moderate laxity.

Threads are often presented as a risk-free alternative to surgery; this is not accurate. They have their own complications, and their limited results must be well understood before deciding.

Current thread lifts are absorbable, made from materials long used for surgical sutures. They break down gradually over a few months to two years depending on the material. Their shape varies: barbs cut into the thread, small cones, spirals or smooth threads mainly intended to stimulate collagen. The choice depends on the desired effect, the area and the practitioner's habits.

Threads must be authorised, traceable medical devices. Ask which type of thread is used and how many are planned, and keep this information in your file.

People who have already had threads, sometimes several times, often seek advice because the effect was less significant or shorter-lasting than hoped. Absorbed threads leave scar tissue that can make new treatment less effective or later surgery slightly more delicate, without preventing it. Tell the practitioner the dates, type and number of threads placed.

If several thread sessions have not been satisfactory, a temporal lift is often a more predictable option.

Threads are appealing because they avoid a surgical incision and allow a quick recovery. But their effect is more moderate, more variable and shorter-lasting than a temporal lift. For a young person with slight laxity and good-quality skin, they can give a satisfying result for a few months. For someone whose eyebrow has clearly dropped or whose skin is thick, a temporal lift is generally more effective and, over time, more economical.

The right choice depends on your expectations: a slight, temporary effect, or a clearer, longer-lasting correction. An honest practitioner explains these differences without minimising the limitations of threads or exaggerating the constraints of surgery.

The temporal lift, sometimes called a lateral brow lift, is the most widely used surgical option for lastingly lifting the eyebrow tail. The incision, a few centimetres long, is placed in the scalp at the temple. The surgeon lifts the tissues in a precise plane, preserving the branch of the facial nerve that raises the eyebrow, lifts the eyebrow tail and fixes it to a solid layer, sometimes with stitches or absorbable fixation devices.

The result is more marked and longer-lasting than with threads, often several years. The scar is hidden in the hair. The procedure can be performed alone or combined with blepharoplasty or a forehead lift. See our page on forehead and temporal lift.

The temporal lift incisions are placed in the scalp, sometimes slightly behind the hairline. They are closed with staples or stitches, removed after about ten days. For a few weeks, the area may be numb or itchy. Over time, the scar becomes fine and is hidden in the hair. In people with fine or very short hair, a suitable hairstyle hides it during healing.

After a temporal lift, an area of scalp behind the incisions is often numb, sometimes with tingling or itching as the small sensory nerves recover. This recovery generally takes a few weeks to a few months. During this time, numb skin feels heat less: avoid an overly hot hairdryer, straighteners near the temples and harsh colouring.

A small area of numbness may persist in a minority of patients, rarely bothersome in daily life. Pulling sensations at the temples when chewing or smiling are also common in the first few weeks and gradually decrease.

In men with a receding hairline, and in some women with thinning hair at the temples, the position of the temporal lift incisions must be chosen carefully so that they remain hidden, now and in the years to come. The surgeon assesses the likely progression of hair loss. In some cases, an approach through the upper eyelid or other techniques may be preferred to avoid a scar becoming visible later.

Healing varies from person to person according to age, skin quality, genetics, smoking and certain diseases. Olive and dark skin sometimes tends to form thicker or more pigmented scars, and the small thread entry points can leave a temporary mark. Mention any tendency to thick scars or keloids before any procedure: the practitioner will adapt the technique and monitoring.

After surgery, protecting the scars from the sun for several months, avoiding smoking and following the recommended care improve their final appearance.

Canthoplasty and canthopexy are well-established procedures in reconstructive eyelid surgery, particularly to support a lax lower eyelid or after certain blepharoplasties. Used to elongate or lift the corner of the eye for purely cosmetic purposes, they pose greater difficulties: the result depends on tissue quality, the position of the eye in the socket and eyelid tension.

Possible complications, such as deformity of the eye corner, a lower eyelid that drops, difficulty closing the eye or dryness, can be lasting and difficult to correct. Most oculoplastic surgeons advise against these procedures when the only aim is to follow a trend. If you are considering it, consult an eyelid surgery specialist and ask for a second opinion.

Eyelid surgery specialists, called oculoplastic surgeons, are ophthalmologists or plastic surgeons who specialise in surgery of the eyelids, tear ducts and orbit. They have particularly good knowledge of the interactions between aesthetics and eye function: eyelid closure, tear distribution, protection of the cornea. For any procedure involving the corner of the eye or the eyelids, their opinion is invaluable.

They are found mainly in university hospitals and some specialist practices. They are also best placed to correct a complication after eye surgery.

Surgery on the outer corner of the eye has genuine indications: a lax lower eyelid that pulls away from the eye and causes watering, ectropion, after-effects of facial paralysis, deformity after injury or previous surgery, or support for the eyelid during lower blepharoplasty. In these situations, it improves both the function and the appearance of the eyes, and may be covered by insurance when it treats a functional problem.

This is very different from changing the tilt of the eye in a young person with normal eyes, which carries risks with no functional benefit.

Often, a natural result is achieved by combining small procedures: a little botulinum toxin to lift the eyebrow tail and relax crow's feet, a little hyaluronic acid for the temple, possibly blepharoplasty if the eyelid is heavy. Each procedure remains moderate, and together they give rested, slightly elongated eyes.

Conversely, accumulating threads, large injections and repeated touch-ups can weigh down the area, create irregularities and make later surgery more difficult. A coherent plan, drawn up at the first consultation, is preferable to a succession of procedures following trends.

The eyes are rarely improved by a single procedure. An overall plan drawn up with the practitioner may combine, over several months, botulinum toxin for crow's feet and the eyebrow tail, volume in the temple, blepharoplasty if the eyelid is heavy, and treatment of dark circles or skin quality. The aim is rested, harmonious eyes rather than an isolated elongation that would contrast with the rest of the face.

In people with overall laxity, treating only the eyes can create a mismatch with the lower face and neck. A facelift, possibly of the deep plane type, can be combined with a temporal or brow lift for harmonious rejuvenation of the whole. See our pages on deep plane facelift and neck and face lift.

Before any medical procedure, make-up can achieve a fox-eye effect reversibly: eyeliner extended towards the temple, darker shadow at the outer corner, an eyebrow tail redrawn slightly higher, and sometimes removal of the lowest hairs of the eyebrow tail by a beautician. These techniques give an idea of the effect and let you check whether you really like it.

Some people use permanent eyebrow make-up to redraw their shape. It must be performed by a qualified professional with suitable pigments, and can interfere with some later laser treatments.

The shape of the eyebrows can be changed by hair removal: removing a few hairs under the eyebrow tail and around its outer part can give the impression of a more lifted eyebrow. Conversely, excessive plucking over the years thins the eyebrows and can harden the look. Before a medical procedure, shaping by an experienced beautician sometimes achieves the desired effect without risk.

• The consultation: eyebrow tail slightly low, tired look; botulinum toxin proposed to test the effect.
• The session: a few small injections, fifteen minutes in total.
• Days 1 to 3: no visible change, small marks that disappear.
• One week: the eyebrow tails have lifted by a few millimetres.
• Two weeks: check-up, slight touch-up on one side for balance.
• Four months: the effect is fading; she decides to repeat the session.

• The consultation: moderate laxity, good-quality skin; threads proposed, moderate result explained.
• The day: local anaesthesia, forty minutes, tightness at the temples.
• Days 1 to 5: swelling, small bruises, discomfort when opening the mouth wide.
• Two weeks: the immediate effect has faded, the eyes remain more open.
• Six months: the effect has diminished; she is considering a temporal lift for a longer-lasting result.

• The consultation: drooping eyebrows and heavy eyelids; temporal lift combined with upper blepharoplasty.
• The day: two-hour procedure as day surgery.
• First week: swelling, bruising moving down towards the eyelids, pulling sensations.
• Ten days: scalp staples removed, back to work.
• Three months: more open, slightly elongated eyes, scars hidden in the hair.

• Léa, 24, wants the look from photos seen online: make-up and low-dose botulinum toxin to test, no surgery.
• Sophie, 42, drooping eyebrow tails: botulinum toxin, then hyaluronic acid in the temples.
• Nadia, 50, low eyebrows and heavy eyelids: temporal lift and upper blepharoplasty.
• Thomas, 45, tired look: light botulinum toxin, masculine result preserved.
• Julie, 35, has already had threads twice with little effect: referred for a temporal lift.
• Claire, 30, asks for eye-corner surgery: advised against after examination, botulinum toxin proposed.

You arrive having fasted if sedation or general anaesthesia is planned. The surgeon marks the reference points with you standing, asking you to raise your eyebrows, and checks with you the desired position of the eyebrow tail. After the anaesthetic, they make the incisions in the scalp, without shaving or shaving only a thin strip of hair, carry out the lifting, raising and fixation, then close with staples or stitches.

A light dressing or headband may be applied. After monitoring in the recovery room, you go home the same day, accompanied, with written instructions, painkillers and your check-up appointment.

After threads or a temporal lift, a few simple measures promote good recovery: cold compresses through a cloth for the first two days, head raised at night, simple painkillers if needed, gentle cleaning of entry points or scars according to the instructions. Avoid massaging, rubbing or pressing on the treated area.

After a temporal lift, hair washing is generally allowed after two or three days, with a mild shampoo, without rubbing the scars. Avoid an overly hot hairdryer on skin that is still numb, as well as colouring and perms, for a few weeks.

• Day 1: tightness at the temples, small bruises, cold compresses and head raised.
• Days 2 to 3: swelling at its peak, discomfort when opening the mouth wide or chewing.
• Days 4 to 5: bruises turning yellow, covering make-up possible.
• Days 6 to 7: swelling clearly reduced, the effect starts to stabilise.

During this week, avoid massaging your face, sleeping on your side, intense sport and exposure to heat. Increasing pain, redness or discharge require you to contact the practitioner.

• Day 0: home accompanied, head raised, cold compresses.
• Days 1 to 3: swelling of the temples and eyelids, pulling sensations, bruising.
• Days 4 to 6: swelling starts to subside, first showers and mild shampoo according to the instructions.
• Days 7 to 10: staples removed, gradual return to activities.

The eyebrows may look a little too high at first; they drop slightly over a few weeks towards their final position. Numbness of the scalp behind the incisions is common and improves over several months.

After botulinum toxin, the effect remains stable for about three months, then gradually fades. After threads, the immediate effect decreases in the first few weeks, then remains at a moderate level for several months. After a temporal lift, residual swelling disappears within one to three months, scalp sensation gradually returns, and the result stabilises. This is when the result should be judged and any touch-up discussed.

After botulinum toxin, a small touch-up is sometimes offered at two weeks to balance the two sides or slightly strengthen the effect. After threads, an additional thread can complete an insufficient result, or a bothersome thread can be removed. After a temporal lift, a touch-up is rare; it is discussed after several months if asymmetry persists or the scar has widened. Ask before the procedure about the conditions and any cost of touch-ups, and get them in writing.

Botulinum toxin causes a brief pricking sensation. After threads, a feeling of tightness, minor pain when chewing or opening the mouth wide and tenderness to the touch often last one to two weeks, relieved by simple painkillers and cold compresses. After a temporal lift, pain is moderate, especially in the first few days, with a sensation of a tight helmet and pulling. Intense or increasing pain, or pain localised over a thread, must be reported.

After threads, the first few weeks are decisive: the tissues anchor around the barbs, and a sudden movement, massage or prolonged pressure can move a thread or reduce the effect. After a botulinum toxin injection, lying down or massaging the area in the following hours can make the product spread to a neighbouring muscle. After a temporal lift, early exertion encourages haematoma and swelling.

Following the instructions is not a formality: it is part of the treatment, and directly affects the result and safety.

After botulinum toxin, avoid lying down for about four hours. After threads or a temporal lift, sleep on your back with your head slightly raised on two pillows for one to two weeks. A U-shaped travel pillow helps you avoid rolling onto your side. Sleeping on your side or front too soon can move the threads or press on the scars.

After botulinum toxin, glasses can be worn normally. After threads or a temporal lift, the arms of glasses often pass close to the entry points or scars; light glasses are preferable in the first few weeks, and slight discomfort is possible. Contact lenses can generally be worn from the next day, avoiding pulling on the skin at the corner of the eye when inserting them.

After threads or a temporal lift, avoid direct sun on the face, the sauna, steam rooms and very hot baths for two to three weeks, as heat increases swelling and can affect healing. Then protect the scars and skin with sunscreen and a hat, particularly in the mountains. After botulinum toxin, intense heat is simply not advised on the same day.

After botulinum toxin, nothing is visible except sometimes small marks for a few hours. After threads, bruising and swelling can last a few days; covering make-up often hides them from the second or third day. After a temporal lift, swelling can move down towards the eyelids and bruising last one to two weeks; sunglasses and a hairstyle that covers the temples help you return discreetly to social life.

After threads or a temporal lift, those close to you can help in the first few days, particularly with getting home after surgery. They need to know that bruising and swelling are normal and temporary, and to know the signs that require a call to the practitioner. Their supportive attitude also matters during the period when the result is not yet final.

Whatever the technique, a fox-eye result changes over time. Botulinum toxin injections are generally repeated two to three times a year to maintain the effect, hyaluronic acid every six to twelve months. Threads can be placed again after they have been absorbed, but the effect obtained the first time must be honestly assessed. A temporal lift lasts several years, then the eyebrow gradually drops again.

A healthy lifestyle, regular sun protection, not smoking and suitable skincare help preserve the result and the quality of the skin around the eyes.

Repeated botulinum toxin injections are safe when performed at suitable doses and at least three months apart. Multiplying injections too close together or at high doses can freeze the expression and, rarely, reduce the product's effectiveness over time. An attentive practitioner adjusts the doses at each session according to the effect obtained, and advises taking breaks if you wish.

• "Have you had something done?" With a measured procedure, people mainly notice a rested look.
• "Does it hurt?" Botulinum toxin barely stings; threads and surgery require local anaesthesia or more.
• "How long does it last?" A few months for botulinum toxin, about a year for threads, several years for surgery.
• "Is it dangerous?" Complications are rare with a qualified practitioner, but they do exist.

For a wedding, a professional photo or an important event, plan ahead. Botulinum toxin must be injected at least two to three weeks beforehand, so that the effect is complete and any touch-up can be done. Threads require at least two to three weeks for bruising and swelling to disappear. A temporal lift should be planned at least two to three months beforehand. Avoid any new procedure in the days before the event.

After botulinum toxin, work resumes immediately. After threads, one to three days of discretion are often enough for office work; jobs involving contact with the public may prefer to wait until bruising has disappeared. After a temporal lift, one to two weeks are usual. Physical jobs, those exposed to heat or requiring a tight helmet, need longer. The sick note does not specify the nature of the procedure.

After botulinum toxin, avoid intense sport on the same day, then resume normally. After threads, avoid intense exertion, swimming and sports in which you could be hit in the face for two to three weeks, as well as grimacing and excessive jaw movements. After a temporal lift, walking resumes quickly, gentle exercise after two weeks, and intense or contact sports after four to six weeks, with the surgeon's agreement.

Make-up is generally possible a few hours after botulinum toxin, the next day after threads avoiding the entry points, and as soon as bruising allows after a temporal lift. Remove make-up gently, without rubbing or pulling the skin downwards. Avoid scrubs, facial devices and massages for two to three weeks after threads or surgery.

Living alone is not an obstacle for botulinum toxin or threads. For a temporal lift, you must be taken home and ideally not be alone the first night. Prepare simple meals, cold compresses and your medicines in advance, and keep the practitioner's number to hand.

After threads or a temporal lift, young children who touch your face, pull your hair or snuggle against your temples can disrupt healing and cause pain. Arrange help for the first few days, explain to them that they need to avoid your face for a while, and favour quiet activities together.

After botulinum toxin, a check-up at two weeks allows the effect to be assessed and adjusted if needed. After threads, a check-up at one or two weeks checks for complications and how well the result is holding. After a temporal lift, a first check-up takes place for staple removal, then at one and three months. These appointments are an opportunity to ask your questions and report anything that worries you.

• The quote and the signed consent form.
• The name and batch of the injected product, or the type and number of threads.
• The date of each session and the dose of botulinum toxin used.
• The operative report in the case of surgery.
• Before-and-after photos.

This information is invaluable for adjusting later sessions, in the event of a late complication or if you change practitioner.

After fox eyes, follow-up depends on the technique: regular sessions for botulinum toxin, annual review after threads, a check-up at one year after a temporal lift. Beyond that, it is useful to see the practitioner again if the result changes, if you are considering a new procedure or if an unusual sensation appears, such as a small lump along an old thread. Keep your documents to make this follow-up easier.

The result is judged after some time: two weeks after botulinum toxin, a month after threads, three to six months after a temporal lift. Compare photos taken before and after under the same lighting and in the same position, rather than relying on your reflection at the time. A discreet but harmonious result is often the sign of a successful procedure, even if it looks less spectacular than images online.

• The eyebrow tail is slightly lifted, without a marked point.
• The eyes look rested, without a surprised look.
• The eyebrows move normally with expressions.
• The corner of the eye keeps its natural shape.
• The temples look neither hollow nor puffy.
• Those around you notice that you look well rather than a change of shape.

Screens do not harm a fox-eye result. After threads or a temporal lift, reading and computer work are possible from the first few days, sitting upright with your head straight. Avoid tilting your head down for long periods, which increases swelling. Regular breaks and artificial tears soothe the eyes, which are sometimes drier after a procedure around the eyes.

When the whole eyebrow is low, not just its tail, an endoscopic forehead lift may be proposed. Through small incisions in the scalp, the surgeon releases and lifts the whole eyebrow, often with absorbable fixation devices. It also softens the frown line. It is a more extensive procedure than a temporal lift, with an overall result on the upper face. See our page on endoscopic lift.

Several non-medical beauty treatments change the appearance of the eyes: lash lifts and tints, eyelash extensions, brow shaping and tinting, permanent make-up. They can give an open, elongated effect without a medical procedure. They do, however, carry their own risks, such as irritation, allergies to glues or pigments, or infections, and must be performed by trained professionals under good hygiene conditions.

Before surgery or injections around the eyes, mention these treatments; some must be stopped a few weeks before and after the procedure.

Permanent make-up and microblading redraw the eyebrows by introducing pigments into the skin. They can visually lift the eyebrow tail without a medical procedure, but they are long-lasting and sometimes difficult to remove if the shape no longer suits or fashion changes. Before a brow lift, mention any permanent make-up: the position of the drawing will move with the lifted eyebrow, which can create a mismatch.

A well-chosen procedure can slightly lift the eyebrow tail, open up the eyes, support a hollow temple and give an impression of freshness. It cannot turn a round eye into an almond-shaped one without risky surgery, reproduce a photo filter, or stop the ageing of the face. Nor does it correct bags, dark circles or significant excess eyelid skin, which call for other treatments.

Knowing these limitations from the outset allows you to choose the right procedure and appreciate the result obtained, rather than comparing it with an idealised image.

Botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid have been the subject of many studies, and their effects on eyebrow position and volume are well documented, even if they remain moderate and temporary. For thread lifts, the data are more limited and results vary more from person to person, with an effect that often diminishes within a few months. The temporal lift and forehead lift are long-established procedures with well-known, longer-lasting results.

For eye-corner surgery for purely cosmetic purposes, data are scarce and complications are well described by eyelid surgery specialists, which explains their caution.

Satisfied patients often describe more open, rested eyes, noticed by those around them without identifying the change. They stress the importance of having started cautiously, often with botulinum toxin, before considering a longer-lasting procedure. Dissatisfied patients mainly mention threads whose effect quickly disappeared, or a result that was too marked. These accounts are a reminder that restraint and patience are the best allies.

Aesthetic trends change quickly, while some procedures are long-lasting. Very elongated eyes can look artificial, not suit the rest of the face or erase features specific to the person's identity. A reputable practitioner will help you distinguish what harmonises your eyes from what follows a trend. They may suggest starting with a reversible approach, such as make-up or botulinum toxin, before any surgery. For eye-corner surgery in particular, most surgeons reserve it for situations where it also provides a benefit in supporting the eyelid.

A request for fox eyes deserves reflection on your motivation: do you want to correct eyes that have changed with age, adopt a style seen on social media, or respond to a remark from those around you? Requests linked to a trend may change with fashion, while some techniques leave lasting traces.

A reputable practitioner takes the time to explore these motivations without judgement. They may suggest starting with a reversible procedure, or advise against a procedure if expectations seem unrealistic or if the request seems linked to deeper distress about self-image.

Photo app filters elongate the eyes, slim the face and smooth the skin. After seeing their filtered face so often, some people end up preferring it to their real reflection. Practitioners observe that patients bring retouched photos of themselves as a model. Yet no medical procedure can reproduce a filter.

Becoming aware of this influence helps set realistic expectations. It can be useful to compare unfiltered photos taken in different light, and to ask the practitioner to show you real results, some time after treatment.

Requests for fox eyes are common among young adults, sometimes in their early twenties, without any signs of ageing. At this age, the aim is a change of style rather than a correction. Practitioners then recommend the greatest caution: favouring make-up and reversible procedures, avoiding permanent procedures and thinking about how the face will change in the years to come.

Minors are not candidates for cosmetic procedures of this type. For young adults, time for reflection and an open discussion about expectations are essential.

Adolescents are highly exposed to social media images and trends such as fox eyes. Medical cosmetic procedures are not offered to minors in this context. Parents can support them by talking about the influence of filters and retouched images, and by encouraging make-up, which is reversible, as a way of experimenting with a style. If concern about appearance becomes overwhelming, a medical opinion is useful.

Some people are very preoccupied by a detail of their face that they consider flawed, although those around them do not notice it. They spend a lot of time looking at themselves, comparing themselves, having their photo taken, and multiply cosmetic procedures without ever being satisfied. This distress, called body dysmorphic disorder, is not resolved by cosmetic procedures, which can even make it worse.

An attentive practitioner will recognise these situations and kindly suggest psychological support rather than another procedure. If you recognise yourself in this description, talking to your family doctor is a useful first step.

In men, the eyebrow is lower, thicker and more horizontal, and the brow ridge more marked. Lifting the eyebrow tail too much quickly gives a surprised or feminised look. Men who seek advice generally want less tired-looking eyes rather than an elongated effect.

Procedures are therefore more moderate: low-dose botulinum toxin, possibly hyaluronic acid for a hollow temple, a limited temporal lift when the eyebrow droops a lot. Hair loss also influences the choice of surgical technique, as the scars must remain hidden.

The shape of the eyes is one of the most characteristic features of a face, linked to genetics and family origins. Some fox-eye requests aim to transform this shape to approach a standardised model. A respectful practitioner discusses this point with you, and favours procedures that enhance your eyes without erasing their identity.

It is useful to ask yourself what you want to keep about your eyes as well as what you want to change, and to discuss it openly at the consultation.

In people whose upper eyelid crease is low, discreet or absent, the eyelid skin covers more of the edge of the eye, and the eyes naturally look narrower. Fox-eye requests in this situation sometimes aim to create or accentuate a crease, which calls for specific eyelid surgery. These procedures must respect the characteristics of the face and be performed by surgeons experienced with this type of eyelid.

A moderate lift of the eyebrow tail can open up the eyes without changing the eyelid. The practitioner discusses with you what you want to keep and change, without imposing a standard shape.

• Someone whose eyebrow tail has dropped with age and weighs down the eyes.
• Someone who wants slightly elongated eyes and accepts a subtle result.
• Someone in good health, without significant dry eyes.
• Someone who has realistic expectations and has taken time to think.
• Someone prepared to start with a reversible procedure if they are hesitating.

Conversely, very precise expectations based on retouched photos, a request made under pressure from others or an overwhelming preoccupation with appearance call for caution.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Infection or inflammation of the skin in the area to be treated.
• Certain neuromuscular diseases, for botulinum toxin.
• Tendency to thick scarring, for surgery.
• Clotting disorders or anticoagulants, to be discussed.
• Significant dry eyes, for eyelid procedures.
• History of complications after injections, to be mentioned.

People prone to cold sores may have an outbreak after an injection or facial procedure, even if the treated area is not the mouth. Mention this history: preventive treatment may be offered. If you have an active cold sore, it is better to postpone the procedure to avoid spreading the virus.

• Neuromuscular diseases, which contraindicate botulinum toxin.
• Autoimmune diseases or immune treatments, which affect healing.
• Clotting disorders and anticoagulants.
• History of thick scars or keloids.
• Allergies, particularly to local anaesthetics.
• Previous surgery on the eyelids, forehead or temples.
• Previous injections, particularly of permanent products.

In the past, permanent fillers were injected into the face. Years later, they can cause nodules, inflammation or deformities that are difficult to treat. Around the eyes, these products are strongly advised against. If you have received a product whose nature you do not know, mention it: it may change the options and risks of new treatment.

Smoking accelerates ageing of the skin around the eyes, with deeper wrinkles and thinner skin. It also reduces tissue oxygenation, which slows healing after threads or surgery and increases the risk of infection and poor-quality scarring. Stopping smoking, including vaping, for several weeks before and after a procedure is strongly recommended; it also improves how well the result lasts.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, cosmetic eye procedures are postponed as a precaution: botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, threads and surgery wait until breastfeeding has ended. Hormonal changes also temporarily alter the face, sometimes with water retention or pigmented patches, which makes assessment less reliable. It is advisable to wait a few months after breastfeeding, once the face has regained its balance.

The consultation starts with your expectations: what bothers you, what you would like to achieve, the photos that inspire you. The practitioner then observes your face from the front and in profile, at rest and in motion, asking you to raise and frown your eyebrows, close your eyes and smile. They measure the position of the eyebrows, any excess eyelid skin, the volume of the temples and skin quality.

They then explain what can be achieved with each technique, the usual results, how long the effect lasts, the recovery, risks and cost. They may draw the desired position of the eyebrow tail with a pencil, or lift the skin slightly with their fingers to show you the effect. A written quote and a period of reflection follow.

• Which technique do you recommend, and why not the others?
• What result can I reasonably expect, and for how long?
• How often do you perform this procedure?
• Which products or threads do you use?
• What are the risks in my case?
• What happens if I am not happy with the result?
• How many check-ups are planned, and are they included?
• Whom should I contact if there is a problem?

• A front photo, face relaxed, without make-up, looking straight ahead.
• A front photo, eyebrows raised as high as possible.
• A profile photo of each side.
• A three-quarter photo of each side.
• Taken at eye level, in daylight, without filters.

Add a few words about what bothers you and the result you would like. This information allows the practitioner to suggest a technique, before an essential in-person consultation.

Before a botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid session, avoid if possible aspirin, anti-inflammatories and certain supplements that encourage bruising, on medical advice, and do not schedule the session just before an important event. Come without make-up on the area to be treated. Mention your treatments, allergies and any injections already performed, with the products used if you know them.

Before threads or a temporal lift, stopping smoking for a few weeks is recommended, as well as stopping certain medicines on medical advice. Wash your hair the day before or in the morning. For surgery, arrange for someone to accompany you, prepare cold compresses and pillows to sleep with your head raised, and allow one to two weeks without important social commitments.

• Do not schedule a procedure just before a sunny holiday or an event.
• Come without make-up on the area to be treated.
• Bring a list of your treatments and any products already injected.
• Have cold compresses ready at home after threads.
• Keep the practitioner's number to hand.
• Write down your questions before the consultation.

• Can I wear earrings? Yes, but remove them on the day of surgery.
• Can I dye my hair beforehand? Yes, preferably a week before a temporal lift, and not afterwards for a few weeks.
• Can I wear a hat? Yes, a soft hat that does not squeeze the temples.
• Can I go to the hairdresser? Yes, mentioning the scars and avoiding heat and harsh products in the first few weeks.
• Can I fly? After a few days for botulinum toxin and threads, after the first check-ups for surgery.

Winter and autumn are often preferred for threads and surgery: the sun is less intense, heat does not encourage swelling, and hats or scarves help you stay discreet. Summer requires more precautions: avoiding sun on the face, heat, and swimming in the sea or lakes in the first few weeks. For botulinum toxin, the season matters little.

People allergic to pollen often have swollen eyelids and itchy eyes and tend to rub their face in spring. These symptoms can skew the assessment of the eyes and hinder recovery after threads or surgery. It is better to schedule procedures outside your pollen season, or to treat the allergy beforehand.

Botulinum toxin requires no anaesthesia: the needle is very fine and the injections few; an anaesthetic cream or cold can be applied in sensitive people. Hyaluronic acid often contains a local anaesthetic that makes the injection more comfortable. Threads are placed under local anaesthesia, with small injections at the entry points and along the path of the threads.

The temporal lift is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and any planned combinations. The anaesthesia consultation allows the option best suited to your health and comfort to be chosen.

After sixty, the skin is thinner and less elastic, the eyebrows and eyelids are often lower, and the temples hollower. Light techniques such as botulinum toxin or threads give limited results. A temporal lift, often combined with blepharoplasty, is generally more suitable for opening up the eyes. The aim is natural rejuvenation, not marked elongation, which would look artificial at this age.

Skin quality greatly influences the result. Thin skin shows thread ridges and irregularities more easily, but responds well to small amounts of product. Thick, heavy skin resists thread traction more, so their effect is limited, and is better suited to surgery. The practitioner assesses the thickness and elasticity of your skin before proposing a technique.

In some older people, the descent of the eyebrow and eyelid skin reduces the upward and lateral visual field, forcing them to raise their chin or constantly contract their forehead. This is then no longer cosmetic but a functional problem. A visual field test can document it, and insurance coverage of a brow lift or blepharoplasty can be requested.

After botulinum toxin

Temporary asymmetry, an eyebrow that is too high giving a surprised look, rarely drooping of the eyelid.

After thread lifts

Dimples or irregularities in the skin, asymmetry, a palpable or visible thread, temporary pain, infection, an effect that fades faster than expected.

After a temporal lift

Those of surgery: haematoma, numbness, hair loss along the incision, asymmetry, rarely injury to the nerve branch that raises the eyebrow.

After eye-corner surgery

An artificial or frozen look, deformity of the corner of the eye, a pulled or retracted lower eyelid, dryness and irritation of the eye, asymmetry. These complications can be difficult to correct.

Intense eye pain or a visual disturbance after a procedure requires immediate medical attention; call 144 in an emergency.

These risks are lower in the hands of experienced practitioners, who choose the right technique and respect the anatomy. Serious complications remain rare, but it is important to know about them before deciding.

The most feared complication of hyaluronic acid injections around the eyes is accidental blockage of an artery by the gel. It shows as intense, unusual pain, pallor and then purplish or mottled skin, sometimes with visual disturbance. It is an absolute emergency.

The practitioner immediately injects an enzyme that dissolves the gel and puts other treatments in place. Damage to vision requires emergency ophthalmological care. This very small risk justifies entrusting these injections only to trained doctors who have the enzyme and an emergency protocol.

Thread complications often appear in the first few weeks: a dimple or crease in the skin along the thread, a thread that can be felt under the skin, asymmetry, persistent pain, an infected entry point or a thread coming out. Most improve with time, light massage recommended by the practitioner or local care.

If a thread remains visible, painful or infected, it can be removed, which is easier in the first few weeks than after several months, when scar tissue has formed around it. Report any problem to the practitioner promptly.

A small branch of the facial nerve, which controls the forehead muscle, runs through the temple region at a variable depth. During a temporal lift or thread placement, it can be stretched or, rarely, injured. The eyebrow on the affected side no longer rises, creating asymmetry. Most often, function returns within a few weeks to a few months.

Surgeons know the course of this nerve well and work in planes that protect it. This rare risk is part of the information given before the procedure.

The most common disappointments are an effect that is too discreet after botulinum toxin or threads, eyes that look frozen or surprised after too great a lift, asymmetry, or an effect that disappears faster than expected. They often result from a gap between expectations, inspired by retouched images, and what the technique can really deliver.

A frank discussion before the procedure, a gradual plan and attentive follow-up limit these disappointments. If you are not happy with the result, talk to the practitioner rather than multiplying procedures with different practitioners.

• Intense, unusual or increasing pain after an injection or threads.
• Pale, purplish or mottled skin.
• Visual disturbance, even temporary.
• Redness, warmth, discharge or fever.
• A thread coming out through the skin.
• Inability to close the eye completely.

In these situations, contact the practitioner immediately. In the event of visual disturbance or if the practitioner cannot be reached, go to the emergency department, stating the procedure performed and, if possible, the name of the product injected.

Slight discomfort, bruising and swelling are expected after threads or surgery. However, pain that increases instead of decreasing, spreading redness, fever, asymmetry that appears suddenly or a visual disturbance are not normal. Never hesitate to call the practitioner with a question: they would rather be contacted unnecessarily than discover a complication late. Save their number, including the emergency number, in your phone from the day of the procedure, and note the symptoms you observe with their date and time: this information greatly helps the practitioner assess the situation and advise you quickly, remotely or in consultation, as appropriate.

• "Fox eyes is a single procedure": false — it covers several very different techniques.
• "Threads give the same result as surgery": false — their effect is more moderate and shorter-lasting.
• "Botulinum toxin lifts the eyebrow a lot": false — it lifts it by a few millimetres.
• "Eye-corner surgery is a simple procedure": false — it is delicate and risky for purely cosmetic purposes.
• "The result will look like social media photos": rarely — many are retouched.
• "Fox eyes suits everyone": false — it depends on the shape of the face.

• Choosing a practitioner on the basis of a promotion or an online video.
• Being injected by a non-doctor.
• Aiming for the maximum effect from the first procedure.
• Accumulating threads and injections with different practitioners.
• Massaging or manipulating the area after threads.
• Ignoring intense pain or a visual disturbance after an injection.
• Considering eye-corner surgery without the opinion of an eyelid specialist.

Botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid are offered by many dermatologists, plastic surgeons and doctors specialising in aesthetic medicine throughout the country. Thread lifts are performed by some of these doctors. The temporal lift is a matter for plastic surgeons and some oculoplastic surgeons, mainly in the major cities. Eye-corner surgery is a matter for surgeons experienced in eyelid surgery. Check the practitioner's title in the MedReg register.

In French-speaking Switzerland, Geneva and Lausanne have the largest number of practitioners offering botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, threads and eye surgery. The Riviera, Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Sion also have aesthetic doctors and plastic surgeons. Residents of Jura and Alpine Valais often travel to the nearest city for threads or surgery.

In German-speaking Switzerland, Zurich offers the widest range, followed by Basel, Bern and Lucerne. St. Gallen, Zug and Winterthur complete the provision. In Ticino, Lugano is the main centre. Injections are available in most medium-sized towns, whereas the temporal lift is concentrated with plastic surgeons in the major cities.

Botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid are injected in the doctor's practice. Threads are generally placed in the practice, in a suitable room, under strict hygiene conditions. The temporal lift and eyelid surgery are performed in a clinic or hospital operating theatre, or in a practice with an authorised procedure room. Check that the facility has a cantonal licence and a protocol for complications.

For residents of Alpine valleys or small cantons, injections are often available locally, but threads and surgery require travelling to a major city. Group appointments together, ask whether a first opinion can be given from photos and whether some check-ups can be done remotely. For surgery, consider a night nearby and arrange someone to take you home.

Understanding the options, limitations and risks is essential for a procedure involving the eyes. In French-speaking Switzerland, consultations take place in French. In the major German-speaking cities, many practitioners see patients in French or English; in Ticino, in Italian. Do not hesitate to ask for an explanation to be rephrased and for a written document.

Provision changes and some practitioners consult in several cities. The practitioner's qualifications and experience count for more than proximity.

• A doctor holding a specialist title, verifiable in the MedReg register.
• Specific training and experience in the planned technique.
• An overall analysis of the face rather than an immediate response to the request.
• Proposals for measured procedures, and the ability to advise against.
• Clear information on limitations, duration and risks.
• Authorised, traceable products and threads.
• Organised follow-up and a contact number in case of problems.

Be wary of promotional offers, sessions offered outside a medical practice and non-doctors performing injections. The safety of your eyes deserves a considered choice.

If two practitioners propose different approaches, compare their analysis of your face, the reasons for their choice, the expected results and their duration, the risks explained, their experience with the technique, the content of the quotes and the follow-up conditions. A more cautious proposal is not less competent: it often reflects better consideration of the risks. Do not hesitate to ask each one why they are not proposing the other's option.

In Switzerland, botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections are medical procedures that must be performed by a doctor or under their direct responsibility, with authorised products. Offers of injections or threads by non-doctors, in beauty salons, at home or at parties, expose you to products of unknown quality and serious complications, with no possibility of appropriate care. Always check who is performing the procedure and where.

• Promise a result identical to a photo.
• Propose eye-corner surgery to a young person with normal eyes without an in-depth discussion.
• Inject permanent products around the eyes.
• Perform a procedure at the first meeting without assessment or a period of reflection.
• Minimise the risks or limitations of a technique.
• Encourage repeated procedures when the result does not satisfy you.

These guidelines help you recognise care that respects your health and your face.

To judge a practitioner's results, look at photos taken under the same conditions before and after: the same light, the same angle, the same expression, without make-up. Be wary of photos taken just after the procedure, when the effect of threads is at its peak, or those in which the patient raises their eyebrows in the after photo. Results after several months are the most telling.

• 1. Clarify what bothers you and what you really want.
• 2. Test the effect with make-up, or even with reversible botulinum toxin.
• 3. Consult a qualified practitioner for an overall analysis of the eyes.
• 4. Understand the options, their limitations, duration and risks.
• 5. Take time to think before a lasting procedure.

• Reflection and make-up tests.
• First opinion from photos.
• Consultation: analysis of the face, options, quote.
• Period of reflection, possibly a second opinion.
• A reversible procedure first, if you are hesitating.
• Check-up and adjustment.
• A lasting procedure if you like the effect and want to prolong it.

For botulinum toxin, a quick decision is possible, as the effect is reversible within a few months. For threads and surgery, take time to think: reread the quote and consent form, discuss it with those close to you if you wish, and do not hesitate to ask for a second opinion. A reputable practitioner never pushes you to decide on the day of the first consultation.

Many people who seek advice about fox eyes leave with a more nuanced approach than they imagined: make-up, brow shaping, light botulinum toxin, or sometimes no procedure at all. Others choose a temporal lift after testing the effect. There is no single right answer; what matters is that the decision is yours, made with knowledge of the options and their limitations.

A second opinion is particularly useful if you are offered eye-corner surgery, if different practitioners' proposals differ, or if you have already had several treatments without satisfaction. Bring your photos, the names of products already used and your questions. A second practitioner can confirm the indication or propose a more cautious approach.

Before any procedure, the practitioner must inform you of the technique, the expected results, their duration, the risks, the alternatives and the cost. For surgery, a written consent document is given to you; take the time to read it at home. You can withdraw up to the last moment. A period of reflection is the rule for lasting procedures.

These cosmetic treatments are not covered by insurance. Details on our page on fox eyes prices in Switzerland.

Temporary techniques, botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid, cost less per session, but must be repeated several times a year or once a year to maintain the effect. Threads have an intermediate cost, with an effect of six to twelve months. The temporal lift costs more at the outset, but its effect lasts several years. Over five or ten years, the differences between these options narrow.

It is useful to think over time and not just about the price of a session, taking into account the desired effect and your tolerance of repeated procedures.

These indices vary according to the practitioner, the amount of product and the city. Details by city appear on our price page.

For a temporal lift, a deposit is often requested at booking. For threads, payment is often made on the day of the session. Ask about the postponement conditions in the event of illness, infection or a cold sore, and about the touch-up conditions. Ask for them in writing.

Fox eyes is a cosmetic procedure: neither basic insurance nor, in general, supplementary insurance covers these procedures. Only a significant brow descent that reduces the visual field, documented by a test, can justify coverage of a functional brow lift. Complications of a cosmetic procedure may, depending on the situation, remain at the patient's expense; find out beforehand.

• Lateral canthus: the outer corner of the eye.
• Canthoplasty: surgery that changes the attachment of the outer corner of the eye.
• Thread lifts: absorbable barbed threads placed under the skin to lift the tissues.
• Temporal lift: surgery that lifts the eyebrow tail through an incision in the scalp.
• Orbicularis muscle: the ring-shaped muscle around the eye.
• Frontalis muscle: the muscle that raises the eyebrows.
• Eyebrow tail: the outer part of the eyebrow, towards the temple.
• Botulinum toxin: a product that temporarily relaxes a muscle.
• Hyaluronic acid: an injectable gel that restores volume.

• Fox eyes is an aesthetic goal, not a single procedure.
• A slight lift of the eyebrow tail often gives the most natural result.
• Botulinum toxin allows the effect to be tested reversibly.
• Threads have a moderate, temporary effect; the temporal lift lasts longer.
• Eye-corner surgery is delicate and rarely recommended for purely cosmetic reasons.
• The choice of practitioner and realistic expectations are essential.

The best fox eyes are often those that go unnoticed: slightly more open eyes, a slightly lifted eyebrow, an impression of freshness that remains true to your face. Trends pass; your eyes remain. Taking time to choose an attentive practitioner, testing the effect reversibly and favouring restraint is the best way to be satisfied in the long term.

If you are hesitating, start by talking about it: a consultation commits you to nothing and lets you understand what is really possible for you. Bring your questions, photos and wishes: the practitioner will help you translate them into a suitable plan, or conclude that no procedure is needed. Either way, you will leave better informed and calmer in the face of the many promises found online. Our team can also direct you to a qualified practitioner near you, in your language, for a first discussion without obligation or sales pressure.

Medespoir Suisse helps you clarify your request, understand the options and their limitations, and find a qualified practitioner in your region and your language. We favour cautious approaches that enhance your eyes without transforming them.

Fox eyes reflects an understandable wish: more open, brighter, slightly elongated eyes. Current techniques make it possible to approach this goal in a measured way, from reversible procedures to lasting surgery. The key to a good result is an overall analysis of the face, realistic expectations and a practitioner who puts safety and harmony before fashion. To find out more, see our pages on forehead and temporal lift and on blepharoplasty.

Budget

Price differences between cities and cantons, the quote breakdown and ways to save are detailed on our page Fox eyes: prices in Switzerland.

Related procedures

• Laser blepharoplasty in Switzerland
• Medical blepharoplasty in Switzerland
• Facial feminisation in Switzerland
• Otoplasty in Switzerland
• Facial fat transfer in Switzerland

Our guides

• Blepharoplasty in Switzerland
• Cosmetic surgery in Switzerland

Answers to the most frequent questions about fox eyes. See also our page on blepharoplasty in Switzerland.

Understanding fox eyes

What are fox eyes? Fox eyes, or the fox-eye look, is an aesthetic trend that involves elongating the eyes outwards and upwards, with a lifted eyebrow tail and a slightly raised outer corner of the eye, giving an almond-shaped eye. It is not a single procedure, but an aesthetic goal that can be approached with several techniques, medical or surgical.

Is fox eyes a specific procedure? No. The term comes from social media and covers very different procedures: botulinum toxin injections, hyaluronic acid, thread lifts, temporal or brow lifts, and sometimes surgery on the corner of the eye. A reputable practitioner translates the request into precise goals, then proposes the technique suited to your face, rather than applying a standard protocol.

Which technique gives the most natural effect? Most often, a slight lift of the eyebrow tail, with botulinum toxin or a temporal lift, gives a harmonious effect that opens up the eyes without transforming them. Procedures on the outer corner of the eye itself are riskier and can give a frozen or artificial look. A natural result depends above all on restraint and adaptation to your features.

Does fox eyes change the shape of the eye? Non-surgical techniques and the temporal lift act mainly on the eyebrow and temple: they change the frame of the eyes, not the eye itself. Only surgery on the outer corner, called canthoplasty, really changes the tilt of the eye opening. It is a delicate procedure that carries functional risks and should not be performed to follow a trend.

Does fox eyes suit every face? No. Very elongated eyes can unbalance some faces, particularly when the eyes already tilt upwards, the temples are hollow or the eyelids are heavy. Harmony depends on the shape of the face and the position of the eyebrows and cheekbones. An experienced practitioner will tell you what will really enhance your eyes.

Can the effect be tested beforehand? Yes, in part. Make-up, with an elongated eyeliner flick and a redrawn eyebrow tail, gives an idea of the desired effect. A botulinum toxin injection, whose effect is temporary, also allows a slight lift of the eyebrow tail to be tested. Photo simulations help the discussion, but do not guarantee the result.

Is botulinum toxin enough? For a slight effect, yes. By relaxing the muscle that pulls the eyebrow tail down, botulinum toxin allows it to be lifted slightly, by a few millimetres. The effect lasts three to four months. It does not correct a significant brow descent or excess skin, and the effect obtained is subtle, far from the retouched images on social media.

How do thread lifts work? Absorbable threads with small barbs or cones are inserted under the skin of the temple and eyebrow tail using a needle, then pulled upwards and backwards. They slightly reposition the tissues and stimulate collagen production. The effect is immediate but moderate, and it gradually diminishes over a few months to a year.

How long do threads last? The lifting effect is most visible in the first few weeks, then gradually diminishes, often within six to twelve months depending on the type of thread, skin quality and facial movement. The threads are generally absorbed within one to two years. A moderate firming effect may last a little longer thanks to the collagen produced around the threads.

What is a temporal lift? It is a surgical procedure that lifts the eyebrow tail and the temple region, through an incision hidden in the scalp, above the ear. The tissues are lifted, raised and fixed in a higher position. The result lasts longer than with threads, often several years, with a scar hidden in the hair.

What is canthoplasty? Canthoplasty is surgery on the outer corner of the eye, which changes the position or attachment of the tendon that fixes the eyelids to the bone. It is used in reconstructive eyelid surgery, for example to support a lax lower eyelid. Performed for purely cosmetic purposes to tilt the eye, it carries risks of deformity, asymmetry and dry eyes.

Does hyaluronic acid help? Yes, as a complement. Hyaluronic acid injections into the temple or under the eyebrow tail can restore lost volume and support the eyebrow, which helps elongate the eyes. Poorly placed, they can weigh down the area or, rarely, cause a vascular complication. The effect lasts several months and can be corrected with an enzyme.

Is fox eyes long-lasting? It depends on the technique: a few months for botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid, about six to twelve months for threads, several years for a temporal lift. In all cases, the face continues to age, and the eyebrow tends to drop again over time. A permanent effect does not exist.

Can several techniques be combined? Yes, and this often gives the most harmonious result: for example a temporal lift combined with upper blepharoplasty, or botulinum toxin combined with a little hyaluronic acid in the temple. The practitioner builds a coherent plan according to your face, avoiding stacking procedures that would weigh down the result.

Is fox eyes a passing fad? The term and the very elongated aesthetic it evokes are linked to a social media trend, which could change. A slight lift of the eyebrow tail, on the other hand, rejuvenates and opens up the eyes in a timeless way. It is wise to favour a discreet result that looks like you, rather than a very marked effect that could look dated in a few years.

Does blepharoplasty give fox eyes? No, blepharoplasty removes excess skin or fat from the eyelids to rejuvenate the eyes, but it does not lift the eyebrow or elongate the corner of the eye. It can, however, be combined with a temporal or brow lift, for eyes that are both more open and slightly elongated.

Does fox eyes rejuvenate? A slight lift of the eyebrow tail, which naturally drops with age, often gives a more rested, younger look. Too marked an effect, on the other hand, can look artificial. In young patients with no signs of ageing, it is more a change of style than rejuvenation.

Do men ask for fox eyes? More rarely, but some men want to open up eyes made tired by a drooping eyebrow. In men, the eyebrow is naturally lower and more horizontal; lifting it too much feminises the eyes. The practitioner adapts the procedure to preserve a masculine appearance.

Is fox eyes suitable for eyelids with a barely visible crease? In people whose upper eyelid crease is barely visible or absent, the effect of lifting the eyebrow tail is different, and significant elongation of the corner of the eye can change the identity of the eyes. The practitioner must respect the characteristics of the face and not impose a standard model.

What is a "chemical" brow lift? This is a common expression for the lift obtained with botulinum toxin: by relaxing certain fibres of the muscle that surrounds the eye, the forehead muscle is allowed to pull the eyebrow tail slightly upwards. The effect is real but limited, of the order of a few millimetres, and temporary.

Choosing and preparing

Which approach should I choose? The choice depends on your age, the position of your eyebrows, your skin quality, your expectations, your tolerance of invasive procedures and your budget. For a reversible trial, botulinum toxin is a good starting point. For a more marked and longer-lasting effect, a temporal lift is often more suitable than threads. Surgery on the corner of the eye remains exceptional.

At what age? There is no ideal age. Young adults often ask for a change of style, people aged forty to sixty rather for correction of a descending eyebrow. In very young people, it is advisable to stick to reversible procedures and to think about the motivation, often influenced by social media.

Whom should I consult? For botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid and threads, a doctor trained in aesthetic medicine, a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. For a temporal lift or eyelid surgery, a plastic surgeon or an ophthalmologist specialising in eyelid surgery. Surgery on the corner of the eye is a matter for an experienced oculoplastic surgeon.

How can I check the practitioner? Check their specialist title in the federal register of medical professions, MedReg. Ask how often they perform the planned procedure, what results they achieve, and whether they can show you photos taken some time after the procedure. Be wary of non-doctors offering injections or threads.

Is a consultation needed beforehand? Yes, always. The consultation allows your face, the position and movement of your eyebrows, skin quality and the condition of your eyelids to be analysed, your expectations to be understood, the options, their limitations and risks to be explained, and a quote to be given. No procedure should be carried out without this prior assessment.

Are dry eyes a problem? For botulinum toxin and threads, rarely. For eyelid or eye-corner surgery, dry eyes can worsen after the procedure, as eye closure may be altered. They must be assessed and treated beforehand, and may lead to certain procedures being ruled out. An ophthalmological opinion is sometimes useful.

Can I get an opinion from photos? Yes, a first opinion can be given from front and profile photos, with the face relaxed and then with eyebrows raised. It helps point towards a technique and estimate the budget. The final decision nevertheless requires an in-person consultation, where the practitioner examines eyebrow movement and tissue quality.

Is smoking an obstacle? Smoking does not prevent injections, but it slows healing and increases the risk of complications after threads or a temporal lift. Stopping for a few weeks before and after surgery is strongly recommended. Smoking also accelerates ageing of the facial skin.

Do I need to stop certain medicines? Blood-thinning medicines such as aspirin, certain anti-inflammatories, and some supplements such as omega-3s or ginkgo increase the risk of bruising. Whether to stop them is always discussed with the doctor who prescribed them. Mention all your treatments at the consultation.

Can fox eyes be done during pregnancy? No. Botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections, threads and cosmetic surgery are not performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as a precaution. It is advisable to wait until breastfeeding has ended.

Is fox eyes suitable after blepharoplasty? Yes, often. After blepharoplasty, some people find that their eyebrow remains low or drooping; lifting the eyebrow tail can complement the result. The practitioner checks that the upper eyelid keeps enough skin to close normally before lifting the eyebrow.

How long should I take to think about it? For a botulinum toxin injection, a short reflection is often enough, as the procedure is reversible. For threads or surgery, take at least a few days to a few weeks to understand the recovery and risks and possibly compare two opinions. Be wary of offers of immediate treatment at a first consultation.

Can the result look like a photo? Rarely. Social media images are often retouched, taken from a flattering angle, with make-up and studied lighting. Every face has its own anatomical limits. A photo can be used to express a direction, but the result will depend on your features.

Is a simulation needed? A digital simulation or drawing on a photo can help express your expectations and check that you and the practitioner are talking about the same thing. It is not a promise. A reversible botulinum toxin test is often more telling than a simulation.

Can I be treated in my own language? In French-speaking Switzerland, consultations are held in French. In the major German-speaking cities, many practitioners see patients in French or English; ask when booking. In Ticino, consultations are held in Italian.

Are low prices a trap? Not necessarily, but a very low price should prompt you to check the practitioner's qualifications, the origin and quality of the products, and what is included, such as check-ups and touch-ups. Injections and threads are medical procedures that require training and precise knowledge of anatomy.

Do I need to take time off? For botulinum toxin, no. For threads, one to three days of discretion are often desirable, because of bruising and swelling. For a temporal lift, allow one to two weeks before resuming social life without discomfort.

Which season should I choose? Autumn and winter are often chosen for threads and surgery, as the sun is less intense for scars and bruising. For botulinum toxin, the season matters little; some people have it a few weeks before an important event, so that the effect is complete.

Can it be reversed? For botulinum toxin, the effect wears off within a few months. Hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with an enzyme. Threads can sometimes be removed in the first few weeks, with more difficulty afterwards. A temporal lift or eye-corner surgery are much more difficult to correct, hence the importance of careful thought.

Is fox eyes reimbursed? No, it is a cosmetic procedure at the patient's expense. Only a significant brow descent that obstructs vision, documented by a visual field test, can justify coverage of a brow lift, in a functional context.

Procedure and recovery

How does a botulinum toxin session work? The session lasts about fifteen minutes. The practitioner locates the muscles, cleans the skin and makes a few small injections with a very fine needle, around the eyebrow tail and sometimes on the forehead. No anaesthesia is needed. The effect appears within three to seven days and peaks at around two weeks.

How are threads placed? Under local anaesthesia, the practitioner makes small entry points, often in the scalp at the temple, inserts the threads with a needle or cannula, places them under the skin towards the eyebrow tail, then tensions them and cuts off the excess. The session lasts half an hour to an hour. You go home immediately.

How is a temporal lift performed? Under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in the scalp at each temple, lifts the tissues down to the eyebrow tail, raises them and fixes them to a deeper layer, then removes the excess scalp. The procedure takes about one to two hours, often as day surgery.

How is eye-corner surgery performed? It is performed under local or general anaesthesia, through a small incision at the outer corner of the eye. The surgeon changes the attachment of the eyelid tendon to alter its position or tension. It requires great experience, as an error of a few millimetres can distort the eyes or impair eye closure.

Are threads painful? Local anaesthesia makes placement relatively painless; you mainly feel pressure and pulling. In the following days, a feeling of tightness, tenderness when opening the mouth wide or chewing, and minor pain are common; they decrease within one to two weeks. Simple painkillers are generally enough.

Is there bruising? After botulinum toxin, rarely, in the form of small dots. After threads, bruising and swelling are common for a few days, sometimes one to two weeks. After a temporal lift, swelling and bruising can move down towards the eyelids and last one to two weeks. Cold and keeping the head raised limit them.

When is the result visible? With botulinum toxin, after one to two weeks. With threads, immediately, often with a slightly excessive effect in the first few days that settles within a few weeks. With a temporal lift, the result becomes clearer once the swelling has gone, at around one to three months.

What should I do after threads? For two to three weeks, avoid opening your mouth too wide, chewing hard foods, massaging your face, sleeping on your side or front, and intense sport. Also avoid the sauna, steam rooms and facials. These precautions give the threads time to anchor.

What should I do after a temporal lift? Sleep with your head raised, apply cold for the first few days, avoid exertion and head-down positions for one to two weeks, wash your hair according to the instructions, and do not colour your hair for a few weeks. The scalp staples or stitches are removed after seven to ten days.

When can I resume sport? After botulinum toxin, the next day. After threads, two to three weeks for intense sport. After a temporal lift, walking resumes quickly, gentle exercise after two weeks, intense sport and contact sports after four to six weeks.

When can I wear make-up again? After botulinum toxin, a few hours later. After threads, the next day, avoiding the entry points for a few days. After a temporal lift, as soon as bruising allows, avoiding the scar area in the scalp.

Can the result be asymmetrical? Yes. Eyebrows and eyes are naturally slightly asymmetrical, and the response to botulinum toxin or threads can differ from one side to the other. A small botulinum toxin touch-up often corrects asymmetry after two weeks. After threads or surgery, early asymmetry may fade as the swelling disappears.

Is a touch-up needed? For botulinum toxin, a small touch-up is sometimes useful after two weeks to balance the result. For threads, an additional session may be offered if the effect is insufficient. For a temporal lift, a touch-up is rare and is discussed after several months. Ask about the conditions in advance.

How many check-ups are needed? For botulinum toxin, a check-up at two weeks is often offered. For threads, a check-up after one to two weeks. For a temporal lift, a check-up for staple removal, then at one month and three months.

Can I sleep on my side? After threads or a temporal lift, it is advisable to sleep on your back with your head raised for one to two weeks, so as not to press on the treated areas. After botulinum toxin, simply avoid lying down for four hours after the injection.

Does the effect of threads fade quickly? The immediate lifting effect often decreases markedly in the first few weeks, as the swelling disappears and the tissues readjust. It then persists at a moderate level for a few months. People who expect a result comparable to surgery are often disappointed.

Can the threads be seen? They should not be visible. Sometimes, in people with thin skin, a ridge or small dimple may appear along the thread or at the entry point, especially in the first few weeks. It often fades on its own or with light massage recommended by the practitioner. A thread coming out through the skin must be reported.

Can the temporal lift scars be seen? They are placed in the scalp, above the ear, and are generally hidden by the hair. In people with very short hair or who wear their hair pulled back, they may be more visible. A small area of thinner hair along the scar is possible.

Can threads be repeated? Yes, once the first ones have been absorbed or their effect has faded, often after a year. It is important to review how well the first treatment held with the practitioner: if the effect was weak or very short, other techniques may be more suitable.

Will those close to me notice the change? With botulinum toxin, the effect is often discreet: those close to you notice a rested look without identifying the change. With threads or a temporal lift, bruising and swelling in the first few days are visible; after that, a well-performed result simply gives more open eyes.

Risks

Is botulinum toxin risky? In experienced hands, botulinum toxin is very safe. The most common side effects are small bruises, mild headaches and, more rarely, temporary drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow, or asymmetry, which disappear within a few weeks. It must be injected by a doctor.

What are the risks of threads? Bruising, swelling, pain, asymmetry, skin irregularities, a palpable or visible thread, infection, inflammatory reaction, migration or extrusion of a thread, and more rarely injury to a nerve or blood vessel. Most of these complications are minor and temporary, but some require the thread to be removed.

What are the risks of a temporal lift? Haematoma, infection, widened scar, hair loss along the scar, asymmetry, temporary numbness of the scalp, and more rarely injury to the branch of the facial nerve that raises the eyebrow, generally temporary. The surgeon explains these risks at the consultation.

What are the risks of eye-corner surgery? Deformity of the corner of the eye, asymmetry, a lower eyelid that drops and shows the white below the iris, difficulty closing the eye completely, dry eyes, a visible scar. These complications can be difficult to correct. That is why this surgery is rarely recommended for purely cosmetic purposes.

Why is eye-corner surgery delicate? The outer corner of the eye is a complex anatomical area, where the eyelid tendon, the lacrimal gland and the muscles protect the eye. Changing this architecture to alter the tilt of the eyes can disrupt eyelid closure and the distribution of tears. An error of a few millimetres is visible and sometimes difficult to repair.

Can failed fox eyes be corrected? It depends on the technique. A botulinum toxin result wears off on its own. Excess hyaluronic acid can be dissolved. A poorly placed thread can sometimes be removed. An unsatisfactory result after eye-corner surgery is more difficult to correct and may require reconstructive surgery by an experienced oculoplastic surgeon.

Which signs should alert me? Increasing pain, significant redness or warmth, discharge, fever, loss of vision, pain in the eye, pale or bluish skin after a hyaluronic acid injection, or a thread coming out through the skin. Contact the practitioner or the emergency department immediately.

Can threads become infected? Rarely, but it is possible, especially in the first few weeks. Redness, warmth, increasing pain or discharge at an entry point or along the path of a thread require medical attention. Treatment involves antibiotics and sometimes removal of the thread.

Can you be allergic? True allergies to botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid or absorbable threads are rare. Local inflammatory reactions are more common. Mention any known allergies, particularly to local anaesthetics, at the consultation.

Can the result look artificial? Yes, if the lift is too great, the eyebrow tail is too high or the corner of the eye is too elongated. A frozen or surprised look is a classic risk. That is why a cautious practitioner favours a measured effect, which can always be accentuated later.

Can the eyes become dry? After botulinum toxin or threads, rarely. After eyelid or eye-corner surgery, dryness may appear or worsen, especially if eye closure is altered. It is treated with artificial tears and sometimes other treatments. Pre-existing dryness must be mentioned.

Does smoking increase the risks? Yes, particularly for threads and surgery: it reduces the blood supply to the tissues, slows healing and increases the risk of infection and poor-quality scarring. Stopping for several weeks before and after the procedure is recommended.

Are complications covered? As cosmetic procedures are at the patient's expense, their complications often are too, depending on the situation. Some complications requiring medical treatment may be covered by basic insurance. Ask the practitioner about the conditions for touch-ups and managing complications, and check with your insurer.

Who should perform the surgery? A plastic surgeon or an ophthalmologist specialising in eyelid surgery, holding a specialist title and experienced in the planned procedure. For eye-corner surgery, an oculoplastic surgeon is the most qualified person.

Can threads migrate? Rarely, a thread can move under the skin, create a ridge or come out through the skin. This risk is higher if the instructions are not followed in the first few weeks or if the skin is thin. A thread that migrates or comes out must be removed by the practitioner.

Can botulinum toxin close the eye? Rarely, if the product spreads to the muscle that lifts the upper eyelid, temporary drooping of the eyelid can occur. It disappears within a few weeks and can be reduced with specific eye drops. A precise injection technique and following the instructions reduce this risk.

Can the scars cause hair loss? After a temporal lift, an area of thinner hair may appear along the scar, often temporarily. Permanent loss is rare. It can be camouflaged by the hairstyle or, if necessary, treated with a small revision or a hair transplant.

Can the result of a temporal lift drop again? Yes, partially, over time. The result lasts longer than with threads, often several years, but ageing continues. The surgeon often lifts slightly more at the outset to compensate for this gradual descent.

What if I am not satisfied? Talk to the practitioner at the check-up, explaining precisely what bothers you. Many results change during the first few weeks. If dissatisfaction persists, a touch-up or correction can be discussed, and a second opinion is possible.

How can the risks be reduced? Choose a qualified, experienced practitioner, mention your medical history and treatments, stop smoking, follow the post-procedure instructions scrupulously, do not massage or manipulate the area, and seek advice promptly if anything unusual occurs. Favouring a moderate effect also reduces the risk of an artificial result.

Organising in Switzerland

Where can I have fox eyes in Switzerland? Botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid are offered by many aesthetic doctors, dermatologists and plastic surgeons in most towns. Threads and the temporal lift are performed by plastic surgeons and some trained aesthetic doctors, mainly in the major cities, notably Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, Zurich, Lucerne and Lugano.

How much do fox eyes cost? The cost depends greatly on the technique: botulinum toxin is the least expensive, threads are in the middle, and a temporal lift is more expensive. We express this in relative indices on our price page. Compare quotes that specify the technique, the product and what is included.

Is it reimbursed? No. Fox eyes is a cosmetic procedure at the patient's expense. Only a very droopy eyebrow that reduces the visual field can justify coverage of a brow lift, in a documented functional context.

What should the quote specify? The technique, the name of the product or type of thread and their quantity, the practitioner, the location, the anaesthesia, the check-ups included, the touch-up conditions and the period of validity of the quote. For surgery, facility and anaesthesia costs must also appear.

Should I compare several practitioners? It is useful, especially for threads or surgery. Compare the quality of the analysis of your face, how cautious the proposals are, transparency about limitations and risks, the results shown and the content of the quote, rather than the price alone.

I live far from a major city: what should I do? Botulinum toxin injections are available in most regions. For threads or a temporal lift, you often need to travel to a major city. Organise the journey for the day and the check-up, and ask whether some check-ups can be done using photos.

Which documents should I keep? The quote, the treatment report, the name and batch of the injected product or threads used, the dates of the sessions and before-and-after photos. This information is useful for future treatment, in the event of a complication or if you consult another practitioner.

Can it be combined with blepharoplasty? Yes. A temporal or brow lift is often combined with upper blepharoplasty, to treat both the drooping eyebrow and the excess eyelid skin. The surgeon takes care not to remove too much eyelid skin when the eyebrow is lifted.

Can my family doctor help me? They can advise you on stopping smoking and managing your treatments, particularly anticoagulants, and refer you to a specialist if in doubt about a visual problem. The cosmetic procedure itself is a matter for the specialist practitioner.

How can I get a personalised opinion? You can send us front and profile photos, with your face relaxed and then with your eyebrows raised, and a few words about what you would like. We will direct you to a qualified practitioner suited to your request, in your region and your language. Free and without obligation.

Are waiting times long? For botulinum toxin, an appointment is often possible within a few days to a few weeks. For threads or a temporal lift, allow a few weeks between the consultation and the procedure, for reflection and preparation.

Can I be treated in my own language? In French-speaking Switzerland, yes, in French. In the major German-speaking cities, many practitioners see patients in French or English; in Ticino, in Italian. Ask when booking, as understanding the explanations and risks is essential.

Do I need someone to accompany me? For botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid, no. For threads, it is generally not necessary unless you are sedated. For a temporal lift, someone must accompany you home.

What is the best time? For a procedure with bruising and swelling, choose a period without important social events for one to two weeks. Autumn and winter are popular for surgery. For botulinum toxin, allow two weeks before an event to benefit from the full effect.

Can I go back to work quickly? After botulinum toxin, immediately. After threads, often the next day if bruising allows, or after a few days. After a temporal lift, generally after one to two weeks, depending on how visible the bruising is and the nature of the work.

Are threads available everywhere? Thread lifts are offered in many aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery practices, especially in cities. The types of thread vary. Check that the practitioner is trained and experienced in placing them, and that the threads used are authorised medical devices.

Is a prescription needed? No, you can consult an aesthetic doctor or plastic surgeon directly. Botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid must, however, be injected by a doctor, who sets the indication at the consultation.

Can I get a first opinion remotely? Yes, a first opinion from photos helps point towards a technique and estimate the budget. It does not replace the in-person consultation, which is essential before any procedure.

Are the results guaranteed? No. No reputable practitioner can guarantee a precise cosmetic result, as every face reacts differently. They can, however, commit to a suitable technique, honest information, follow-up and clear touch-up conditions.

Can fox eyes be combined with a facelift? Yes. In people with overall facial laxity, a temporal or brow lift can be combined with a face or neck lift for harmonious rejuvenation. The surgeon builds an overall plan rather than treating the eyes in isolation.

Send us photographs — front view with eyebrows at rest and then raised, profile and three-quarter views. We will tell you which approach best suits your eyes and what budget to plan for. Free and without obligation.