Cat-Eye Transformations in Beverly Hills
Dr. Garth Fisher, a renowned Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and television personality, frequently emphasizes that the human eye possesses an uncanny ability to detect even the minutest alterations, such as a one-millimeter change. However, unless the observer is highly skilled, discerning the exact nature of these differences can be challenging. When executed proficiently, these modifications result in a more vibrant, youthful, and lively appearance. Among Hollywood's elite, a specific aesthetic trend is gaining traction: a subtle yet striking wing effect at the outer corners of the eyes. This look, when crafted by experts, can be achieved effortlessly—either through masterful application of liquid eyeliner or, in a medical context, via a couple of increasingly sought-after oculoplastic procedures that are poised to become the next significant trend.
To understand these transformations, it's essential to delve into the concept of an eye lift, which encompasses various interpretations. Traditionally, a surgical eye lift refers to a blepharoplasty, a procedure involving the repositioning or removal of fat and skin from the lower and/or upper eyelids. The cost varies, ranging from $600 to $8,500, influenced by the complexity of the surgery, the surgeon's expertise, and the location. Blepharoplasty can be conducted under local or general anesthesia, significantly enhancing the appearance of sagging or hooded eyelids. This procedure revitalizes tired eyes, providing a lifted look that no amount of caffeine or mascara can replicate.
Another conventional surgical method is the lateral eyebrow lift, also known as a temporal lift, which is one of the least invasive facial surgeries. This technique focuses solely on the outer portion of the eyebrows, as opposed to the entire brow. By adjusting the outer half of the eyebrow muscles, it helps achieve the current cat-eye trend and can reshape a downward-sloping brow to create a straighter line, akin to Ariana Grande's signature style. This lift can be performed using an endoscope or traditional cutting methods, with an average cost of $7,175 according to Ruli members.
A subset of younger patients, however, is opting for a lesser-known, specialized oculoplastic procedure called canthoplasty to achieve the coveted cat-eye shape. (Medical professionals note that patients also refer to this look as almond-eye or fox-eye.)
What is Canthoplasty, Also Known as Cat-Eye Surgery?
Canthoplasty involves modifying the lateral canthus, the corner where the eyelids meet, by tightening and horizontally elongating the eye. While traditionally used to address drooping eyes due to aging, informed patients are now utilizing canthoplasty to alter the actual shape of the eye, giving it a more almond-like form. During the surgery, the lateral canthus is lifted, tightened, and repositioned. This procedure is often combined with blepharoplasty; the incision marks are identical, allowing for the simultaneous removal of excess skin or fat and the lifting of the outer eye corners.
Dr. Mehryar (Ray) Taban, an oculoplastic surgeon and ophthalmologist in Beverly Hills, California, treats numerous high-profile clients. Most of his patients are under 40, with younger individuals in their 20s and 30s specifically seeking to transform their eye shape through his almond-eye surgery. Dr. Taban explains that the full surgery may involve a combination of procedures, typically including canthoplasty and upper and lower blepharoplasty, to achieve the desired eye shape and appearance. "It requires a thorough analysis of each individual's anatomy and desired outcome to determine which procedure or procedures are necessary to achieve more almond-shaped eyes."
The objectives for the eye shape are subtle and should not be overly noticeable. "For instance," Dr. Taban explains, "the results of an almond-eye surgery can help some patients achieve a look similar to Kendall Jenner's."
Recovery Period After a Cat-Eye Lift
Dr. Taban asserts that the recovery time for the almond-eye procedure is minimal. Patients can expect mild to moderate pain for one day and limited vision during the first week, during which they will wear a dressing to protect the eye. Visible swelling and bruising may persist for up to two weeks. Regarding risks, Dr. Taban highlights a different set of concerns compared to typical surgical procedures. He notes, "Common risks, such as infection or bleeding, are rare, but there is an additional risk of asymmetry and either uncorrected or overcorrected results."
Dr. Taban remains accessible to the trendy crowd, stating, "I receive many young women and men recognizable from Instagram, interested in enhancing their eye shape." Unless the selfie culture suddenly wanes, the demand for these procedures is unlikely to decrease soon. Multiple Beverly Hills surgeons reported performing hundreds of these procedures annually, witnessing a growing interest in cat-eye plastic surgery among young patients, primarily driven by Instagram. The cost of cat eyelid surgery typically mirrors that of blepharoplasty, so patients can expect to invest several thousand dollars.
Cat-Eye Thread Lifts
Cat-eye thread lifts are also gaining traction on social media platforms. Dr. Sarmela Sunder, a facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, acknowledges that while she performs these lifts and has seen excellent results, their major drawback is their short duration—lasting at best for two to three months. "Those that last longer tend to look overly pulled and unnatural, with tethering and puckering that patients dislike," Dr. Sunder explains, noting that eyes generally revert to their pre-treatment state unless the threads were placed too superficially, resulting in scars. She mentions that many of her surgical lifts are performed on patients dissatisfied with the longevity of their thread lifts.
Dr. Jonathan Cabin, a Beverly Hills facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, specializes in both surgical and non-surgical rejuvenation procedures. Like many doctors in the 90210 zip code, Dr. Cabin's procedural requests often stem from heavily made-up or modified Instagram photos. "One must be cautious when extrapolating procedures from heavily made-up models who have access to extensive daily makeup and brow shaping," he advises.
Many surgeons acknowledge that "there are aspects of facial enhancement that can be achieved manually that surgery cannot replicate." This is often conveyed to patients who tug at various parts of their face, asking, "What about this?" Dr. Cabin echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that the extent of makeup application can distort perceptions of what can be realistically achieved with a scalpel versus a makeup brush or FaceTune. Therefore, it's always advisable to use makeup-free, naturally lit reference photos.
Related: Waking up tired eyes: What really goes into an eyelid lift
Dr. Cabin's views on canthoplasty are conservative. He believes that altering the canthus for cosmetic reasons should be approached with caution and ideally entrusted to an oculoplastic expert. "When most people inquire about an eye lift, they are usually referring to an upper blepharoplasty. Unless there is a genuine issue with the eye, I prefer not to perform canthoplasty stitching due to the sensitive and dynamic nature of the eyelids. Altering this dynamic interaction through suturing can lead to discomfort and potentially odd-looking results over time," he explains.
Instead, Dr. Cabin opts for lateral (temporal) brow lifts, either through endoscopy or traditional incisions, to enhance eye shape or perform upper and lower blepharoplasty when rejuvenating the eye area.
Dr. Carlo Honrado, a facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist in Beverly Hills, California, employs canthoplasty for suitable candidates but is selective when the surgery is purely for cosmetic reasons. "For me, canthoplasty is appropriate for individuals with looseness in the eye area, where scleral show—a rounding of the eye—is evident. For these individuals, tightening that area is definitely appropriate."
For purely cosmetic purposes, Dr. Honrado cautions patients about the risks and the difficulty of reversal. "From a cosmetic standpoint, this is a different scenario. Patients must fully understand the risks and benefits. Reversing canthoplasty is challenging, so if it's not done correctly the first time, unwanted changes may occur."
He also discusses the level of commitment required for maintenance if too much of the eye is lifted and tightened at a young age. "If the lower face ages more rapidly and the eye area has been extensively worked on, the aesthetic disconnect will appear very strange."
Canthoplasty is a specialized procedure with inherent risks, many of which are still being understood. However, the cat-eye surgery trend may persist for the foreseeable future. If a supermodel's selfie has piqued your interest, consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon with specific experience in eye area procedures is advisable. Alternatively, mastering expert eyeliner techniques is always an option.
