Ultherapy Around the Eyes: Where It Helps and Its Limits
A dermatologist in Gangnam, Seoul explains where Ultherapy is used around the eyes, what it is used for, how many shots are usually involved, and what recovery looks like. Ultherapy can be used for non-surgical brow lifting and for firmness and fine lines around the eyes. It is not performed on the eyelid itself. We treat the brow and forehead, the area beside the eye and the area under the eye.
English consultations available
Where around the eyes is Ultherapy used?
Many people assume that Ultherapy around the eyes is performed on the eyelid. It is not. We treat the forehead and brow area, the area beside the eye and the area under the eye. The eyelid and the eyeball are not treated.
Aging around the eyes shows up in different ways, such as drooping brows, fine lines around the outer corners of the eyes, and under-eye bags. The purpose of treatment depends on the area. The actual treatment range and shot count are decided after an examination.
When drooping brows make your upper eyelids look heavy
When the tissue around the forehead and brow loses firmness, the brows can drop and the upper eyelid skin can fold over, so the eyes look smaller or heavier. Ultherapy is used to lift the brow area (non-surgical brow lifting), which may help reduce the skin overlapping above the eye.
Fine lines and firmness
Crow’s feet include expression lines from smiling or squinting and fine lines that are visible at rest. Ultherapy stimulates collagen to improve firmness and fine lines, although the result depends on the depth of the lines and your skin. If expression lines are the main concern, botulinum toxin around the eyes can be considered as well.
Under-eye fat and bulging
Under-eye bulging is related not only to the fat that protrudes but also to changes in the tissue that supports it. In our practice, Ultherapy is used to tighten the skin and surrounding tissue under the eye and improve bulging caused by under-eye fat. We treat the area under the eye, not the eyelid or the eye itself.
How is eye-area Ultherapy different, and how many shots are used?
Eye-area Ultherapy and regular full-face Ultherapy use the same microfocused ultrasound principle. The difference is that the tip and treatment depth are chosen according to the thickness of the tissue and the purpose of the area.
For a regular face treatment, we use tips such as 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm depending on the cheeks, jawline and double chin. Around the eyes, we choose from the tips below. We use tips of these depths with Ultherapy PRIME as well.
1.5 mm and 3.0 mm
Chosen for each area around the eyes.
Usually 100–200
Our usual range for treating the eye area.
How is the number of shots decided?
The treatment range and shot count change depending on whether we focus on drooping brows, crow’s feet or under-eye bags. The same number of shots can mean a different treatment depending on where and at what depth they are delivered, so the treatment plan matters as much as the shot count.
The eye area is thin-skinned and anatomically complex. This is why choosing the right tip and energy for each area matters. For more on how we plan areas for the whole face, see Ultherapy PRIME in Gangnam, Seoul.
When will I notice results, and when should I repeat?
The effect of Ultherapy is not complete right after treatment. It develops gradually as collagen is remodeled.
When should I repeat treatment?
Rather than treating only the eye area on its own, we usually check the eye area while planning a full-face Ultherapy session and treat it at the same time when it is needed. We decide whether to repeat treatment after reviewing how you responded to the previous treatment and the current condition of the eye area.
How is eye-area Ultherapy different from eye-area Thermage?
| Ultherapy around the eyes | Thermage around the eyes | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Focused ultrasound | Radiofrequency |
| How it works | Focuses ultrasound energy at a selected depth to tighten tissue and stimulate collagen remodeling | Heats skin tissue with radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen remodeling |
| Commonly considered for | Drooping brows that make the upper eyelids look heavy, fine lines at the corners of the eyes, under-eye bags | Loose or less firm skin of the upper and lower eyelids, fine lines at the corners of the eyes |
| Treatment area | Forehead, above the brow, beside the eye and under the eye (not the eyelid) | Upper and lower eyelid skin and the eye area (with protective eye shields) |
Which treatment is appropriate depends on the condition of the skin around your eyes and what is causing the sagging. For more, see Eye Thermage FLX in Gangnam, Seoul and Ultherapy vs Thermage: What Is the Difference?
What does it feel like during treatment?
Pain tolerance varies considerably from person to person. You may feel a brief, deep or aching sensation during treatment, and some discomfort can continue during or after treatment.
If you are worried about pain, tell us at your consultation. We choose the anesthesia method according to the treatment range.
What about swelling, welts and daily life after treatment?
Swelling and redness
The treated area may be temporarily swollen or red. If you have an important event coming up, tell us before treatment.
Raised bumps or welts
The skin may become bumpy or show raised lines (welts). In our experience, welts can appear more easily with the 1.5 mm tip, and they usually settle within about a week. We can recommend an ointment depending on your skin.
Headache
During or after forehead treatment, some patients may experience a vibrating sensation or a headache. Contact us if it continues or if you are concerned.
Most people can return to daily life right after treatment. Because swelling or welts can appear, it helps to plan around important meetings or photo shoots. If you are visiting Seoul, tell us your travel dates. Recovery varies from person to person.
Which approach suits my eyes?
Aging around the eyes often involves several changes at once, so we look at the cause as well as the degree of sagging or bulging.
If the area above your eyes looks sagging
- 1Brow position. We see how much of the skin overlapping above the eye is reduced when the brow is gently raised to a natural position.
- 2Upper eyelid skin. We check how much skin remains on the eyelid even after the brow position is adjusted. If reduced firmness is the main concern, a tightening treatment such as Thermage can be considered. If the skin is very loose, surgery such as upper blepharoplasty or a brow lift may be more suitable.
- 3Eyelid opening. Drooping caused by a weak ability to open the eye (ptosis) is different from simple skin laxity. In that case, a surgical evaluation may be appropriate.
If you have under-eye bulging
We look at how much the fat protrudes, your skin firmness and the condition of the surrounding tissue together. We decide whether Ultherapy can be expected to improve the bulging, or whether the amount of fat and the degree of protrusion mean that under-eye fat repositioning or lower blepharoplasty would suit you better.
The same eye concern can call for a different approach depending on its cause and degree. To find out what suits your eyes, ask us at a consultation.
Consultation and treatment by a specialist physician
Your treating physician personally examines the area around your eyes, plans the treatment and performs the procedure. English consultations are available.
Common questions
How much does Ultherapy around the eyes cost?
The cost depends on the treatment area and range, the number of shots and the anesthesia method. Because the range for the eye area is decided after an examination, we do not list a single fixed price on this page. Our staff can explain options and pricing in English. To ask about pricing for your visit, message us on WhatsApp or KakaoTalk.
Can I have Ultherapy only around the eyes?
Yes. In our practice, however, we usually check the eye area while planning a full-face Ultherapy session and treat it at the same time when it is needed. Treating the whole face is not required.
Can Ultherapy lift drooping brows or sagging eyelids?
If the area above your eyes looks heavy because the brows and forehead have dropped, Ultherapy can be used for non-surgical brow lifting. We treat the areas around the brow and forehead, not the eyelids themselves, and the degree of visible change varies. Whether the cause is the brow position, excess eyelid skin, or how strongly you can open your eyes (ptosis) is confirmed at an examination, and we then tell you which approach suits you.
Is Ultherapy effective for under-eye fat?
Ultherapy can be considered depending on the amount of under-eye fat, how much it protrudes and your skin firmness. We confirm this at an examination and explain which approach suits you.
One-on-one consultations · Your doctor personally plans and performs your treatment.
Questions about Ultherapy around the eyes?
Ask us about appointment availability, treatment options or planning your visit to Seoul.