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November 7, 2025

Fox Eye Surgery: The Complete Guide

The fox eye or siren eye trend has been one of the leading aesthetic trends on social media. Celebrities like Bella Hadid are believed to have gotten fox eye surgery to make their eyes look more lifted and almond-shaped. Makeup influencers online have also shared eyeshadow tutorials to help people create the same look with makeup. Tapes are also a way to get this look, but only temporarily. This has brought the fox eye lift surgery into the limelight, with many opting for it to get that cat-like, seductive look for their eyes permanently. This blog will be a complete guide on the fox eye surgery and how it can amplify one’s appearance

Infographic: A Guide to Fox Eye Surgery
A Guide to Fox Eye Surgery

🦊 How is Fox Eye Surgery Done?

The fox eye surgery is a cosmetic procedure designed to give the patient’s eyes a slanted appearance. It makes the eyes look like those of a fox, and hence it is named the fox eye surgery. There are actually two types of eyelid surgeries. One is called Canthoplasty, and the other is called Canthopexy. The term “Fox Eye Surgery” is typically used to describe these procedures, which involve reconstructing the eyelid. 

The canthoplasty procedure targets the outer corner of the eye, also called the canthus, and reshapes it. It also helps pull the saggy muscles, tighten ligaments, and connective tissues to lift the eyelid and reshape it. 

Unlike canthoplasty, canthopexy does not involve an incision but uses internal stitches to tighten the lower lid and lift the outer corners of the eyes. The results aren’t as dramatic as the canthoplasty results, though. 

📍 At times, the Fox eye surgery is also done in combination with a brow lift or a blepharoplasty to achieve enhanced rejuvenation and a more comprehensive transformation.

fox eye surgery (results-after 2 months)
fox eye surgery (results-after 2 months)

🩹 Recovery and Healing Process of the Fox Eye Surgery

Similar to other cosmetic surgical procedures, the outcome of fox eye surgery heavily depends on an uneventful recovery period and strict adherence to maintenance guidelines. The initial recovery period for a fox eye or siren eye surgery lasts 2 to 4 weeks. During this time, patients may suffer from mild pain, discomfort, swelling, mild bruising, and asymmetry. These symptoms mostly resolve after 10-14 days if patients strictly follow the advice of the surgical team.

Here are some helpful aftercare tips to ensure an uneventful and seamless recovery period after a canthoplasty procedure:

  • Stay at home and ensure rest and minimal activity for the first 48 hours post-surgery
  • Use a cold compress around the surgical site for 10-15 minutes, as advised by the surgical team, to decrease swelling
  • Strictly use your prescription medication as explained by the surgical team
  • Keep your head elevated when lying down to prevent fluid buildup
  • Avoid manipulating the surgical site and the ocular area
  • Do not wet the surgical site for 3-5 days or as long as your surgeon advises
  • Avoid cosmetics and skincare products in the ocular area for the next 3-4 weeks
  • Use contact lenses after the initial recovery period (2-3 weeks) is over
  • Avoid exertion and straining
  • Protect eyes from environmental factors like sunlight, wind, and dust
  • Maintain a nutritious diet
  • Avoid strenuous workouts
  • Do not smoke or indulge in alcohol consumption, as these may retard wound healing
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep an eye out for signs of delayed healing or infection
  • Do not miss any follow-up visits to your surgeon
Combined facial surgery (mid and neck face lift)
Combined facial surgery (mid and neck face lift)

👨‍⚕️ Potential Risks and Complications

Although a fox eye surgery is by far a safe procedure, there are some potential risks and complications to watch out for, such as:

  • Unresolved swelling, bruising, and discomfort after 2 weeks
  • Clear signs of infection, such as redness, pain, and pus discharge at the incision site
  • Accumulation of blood under the skin or hematoma formation
  • Accumulation of fluid under the skin or seroma formation
  • Scarring or keloid formation
  • Unresolved asymmetry
  • Outward turn of the eyelid or ectropion formation
  • Inward turning of the eyelid or entropion formation
  • Delayed wound healing
  • Suture irritation
  • Changes in vision (rare)

📍Most of these potential risks are avoidable by ensuring that the operating surgeon is experienced and board-certified. Moreover, having a good pre-operative health status, an active lifestyle, a stable weight, and a lack of other health issues also minimizes the risk of developing any untoward post-operative complications.

fox eye surgery (before and after)
fox eye surgery (before and after)

💉 Non-Surgical Alternatives to Consider 

Before a canthoplasty procedure, many people wonder how long a fox eye surgery lasts. The results of this surgery are mostly permanent. However, to ensure the success of the fox eye surgery, before and after care for the patients is a priority. Individuals who are not sure about surgery can avail of non-surgical fox eye alternatives, which include:

Botox Brow Lift

A non-surgical eye lift is possible by using Botox injections. It is also sometimes referred to as a chemical brow lift. During the procedure, Botulinum Toxin Type A is injected strategically around the eye in selected muscles. Botox works by blocking the nerve signals to the muscles, which prevents muscle contractions and has a slight lifting effect on the eyes and eyebrows. While the outcomes of a traditional surgical eyelift are permanent, a Botox brow lift procedure is temporary and results last approximately 3-4 months.

Thread Lift

Unlike a traditional canthoplasty surgery, a thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure, involving the use of absorbable sutures to produce a lifting effect. Moreover, thread lift for the eye is an effective way to achieve an uplifted aesthetic. In addition, it takes away the need for general anesthesia, a long recovery process, or noticeable surgical incisions. Having said that, the outcomes of a thread lift are more subtle and not as durable as a cathoplasty.

✨ Can You Reverse Fox Eye Surgery? 

The simple answer is that a fox eyelift performed surgically through a canthoplasty, canthopexy, or temporal lift is only partially reversible. Once the muscles, tendons, skin, or any other tissue in the body is surgically changed, it becomes almost impossible to go back to the pre-operative status. This is true for a fox eye surgery as well. Mild alterations may be achievable through lowering the outer canthus or the eyebrow, fat grafting, fillers, or laser treatments.  

Depending on the type of surgical procedure, the fox eye surgery costs vary among different hospitals and clinics.

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