At a glance
- What are fox eyes? A gaze stretched towards the temples, with the outer corner of the eye and the tail of the brow slightly lifted.
- Which techniques? A brow tail lift, canthopexy or canthoplasty on the corner of the eye, or threads for a temporary effect.
- Is the result permanent? It is long-lasting with surgery. With threads, it lasts from a few months to about a year.
- What are the risks? Asymmetry, an over-stretched look and, after canthoplasty, a lower eyelid pulling away from the eye. An eyelid examination is essential.
- How much does it cost in Turkey? On quote depending on the technique, in a package including a 5-star hotel and transfers, compared with roughly £3,500 to £7,000 in UK private clinics.
The fox eye look, stretched towards the temples, has become a social media trend. Behind the name are several techniques, from a brow tail lift to canthopexy. The right choice depends on your eyelids, for an almond-shaped gaze that stays natural.
What are fox eyes?
Fox eyes describe a gaze stretched towards the temples, with a slightly raised outer corner of the eye and a lifted brow tail. It can be achieved with several surgical or non-surgical techniques that do not act in the same place.
"Fox eyes" is not the name of an operation. It mainly covers two procedures: canthopexy or canthoplasty, which work on the outer corner of the eye, and the brow tail lift. The surgeon chooses according to your eyelid anatomy and the desired result.
Techniques for an almond-shaped look
Canthopexy and canthoplasty
The lateral canthus is the outer angle of the eye, held by a small tendon. Canthopexy tightens this tendon and fixes it slightly higher, without cutting it. Canthoplasty goes further: the tendon is detached and repositioned, which changes the shape of the eye more. These are delicate procedures, as they affect the lower eyelid and how it sits against the eye.
Brow tail lift
Through a small incision hidden in the temple hair, the surgeon lifts the outer part of the brow and the temple skin. This is often what gives most of the fox eye effect, with a lower risk for the eye itself.
Threads
Absorbable threads placed under the temple skin lift the brow tail without an incision. The result is immediate but temporary, usually a few months to about a year.
| Technique | What it changes | Duration of result | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threads | Brow tail and temple | Temporary, a few months to a year | A few days |
| Brow tail lift | Brow and temple | Long-lasting | One to two weeks |
| Canthopexy | Outer corner of the eye, slightly raised | Long-lasting | One to two weeks |
| Canthoplasty | Shape and tilt of the eye | Long-lasting | Two weeks or more |
These procedures are often combined with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) when the eyelids are heavy or puffy.
A beautiful almond-shaped gaze stays subtle. Too much stretch looks frozen and can weaken the lower eyelid: the right result is the one in harmony with your face.
Who is it for?
- a drooping outer corner of the eye that gives a sad or tired look;
- a brow tail that descends with age;
- the wish for a more elongated, open gaze towards the temples;
- a lax lower eyelid, as part of a canthopexy.
An eyelid examination is essential. A very lax lower eyelid, prominent eyes or dry eyes require special care, and the surgeon may then advise against canthoplasty and suggest a brow lift instead.
How does the procedure go?
- Anaesthesia: local with sedation, or general if several procedures are combined.
- Duration: 45 minutes to two hours depending on the techniques.
- Incisions: in the temple hair for the brow lift, and in the crease at the corner of the eye for canthopexy.
- Hospital stay: usually a day case.
Recovery and results
- First days: swelling and bruising around the eyes and temples; the look first seems too stretched, then softens.
- Care: cold compresses, head raised to sleep and eye drops if prescribed.
- Social life: after one to two weeks; sunglasses help in the meantime.
- Result: refines over two to three months as swelling subsides.
In Turkey, plan about five to seven days on site for stitch removal and the post-operative check.
What are the risks?
Asymmetry, an over-stretched or artificial look, a visible scar at the corner of the eye, dry eyes and, after canthoplasty, a lower eyelid that pulls away from the eye or shows too much white under the iris. These complications are rarer when the technique suits the anatomy and the surgeon is experienced in eyelid surgery.
How much do fox eyes cost in Turkey?
| Where | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Turkey, Aram Clinic | On quote, all-inclusive package with hotel and transfers |
| London, private clinic | Around £4,000 to £7,000 for canthopexy or a brow lift |
| Elsewhere in the UK | Around £3,500 to £6,000 |
Indicative ranges; the Aram Clinic price is confirmed by a personalised quote. The price varies widely with the technique: threads, brow tail lift, canthopexy or canthoplasty, with or without blepharoplasty. Fox eyes can be combined with a face lift, a deep plane facelift or facial fat grafting to the temples and cheekbones.
Our surgeons
At Aram Clinic, fox eye procedures are performed by plastic surgeons experienced in facial and eyelid surgery, in Istanbul and Izmir.
Dr Tolgahan Alpaydin (Izmir)
A graduate of Ege University (Izmir), he completed his plastic surgery residency there (1995–2001), then a microsurgery fellowship and aesthetic surgery training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (USA). He has directed the Izmir Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Clinic since 2003. Facial aesthetic surgery, including facelift, facial rejuvenation and blepharoplasty, is one of his main specialisations.
Dr Orhan Fahri Demir (Istanbul)
Trained at Gazi University (Ankara) and in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery at Ege University, he has practised as a plastic surgery specialist at Memorial Bahçelevler Hospital in Istanbul since 2025, with more than eight years of clinical and academic experience. He performs facial surgery and endoscopic lifts, and also offers non-surgical options such as Botox and fillers.
Dr Mehmet Karaaltin (Istanbul)
A graduate of the Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in Istanbul, certified by the Turkish Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of EBOPRAS and ISAPS, he has more than 25 years of experience. As an ISAPS member surgeon, he provides ISAPS insurance for the cosmetic procedures he performs. Facelift and advanced facial rejuvenation are among his core areas.
Frequently asked questions
Does the fox eye procedure change the shape of the eye?
A brow lift mainly changes the area around the eye. Only canthoplasty really changes the tilt of the eye, which calls for a cautious indication.
Can fox eyes be combined with blepharoplasty?
Yes, it is common. Blepharoplasty removes excess skin or bags, and the fox eye procedure lifts the outer corner of the gaze.
Are the scars visible?
They are hidden in the temple hair or in the natural creases at the corner of the eye, and become very discreet within a few months.