By Dr. Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon | Published: 21/02/2021 | Updated May 2025
The “fox eye” – an elongated, gracefully upward-tilted eye shape – has become a highly sought-after aesthetic, celebrated for the elegance and captivating allure it imparts. At Dr Scott J Turner’s clinics in Sydney, Australia, we are dedicated to achieving these refined results. We specialise in advanced surgical techniques, primarily combining precise lateral canthoplasty with brow lift surgery, to create a harmonious and rejuvenated appearance tailored to your individual features.
Understanding the Fox Eye Aesthetic
The fox eye look is not merely a fleeting trend but a specific combination of features that enhance natural beauty and contribute to a refreshed, youthful appearance:
- Upward Canthal Tilt: The outer corners of the eyes (canthus) are subtly elevated, ideally creating an angle of about 10-15 degrees relative to the inner corners, contributing to an almond-shaped appearance
- Enhanced Eye Length: The eyes appear horizontally longer and more open, with the palpebral fissure (eye opening) typically increasing by 4-6mm
- Lifted Brow Position: The eyebrows, especially their outer tails, are gracefully arched and positioned higher, beautifully framing the eyes and complementing their uplifted shape
- Balanced Facial Proportions: All elements work in synergy, ensuring the enhancements blend naturally with your overall facial structure
- Improved Eye Opening: The eyes appear larger, brighter, and more expressive, lending a vibrant and alert look
Cultural Considerations and Aesthetic Goals
Aesthetic preferences for eye shape vary beautifully across cultures. For instance, in some East Asian populations, lateral canthoplasty is often sought to horizontally lengthen the eye, creating a more open and balanced appearance. In Western contexts, the focus might be more on lifting outer eye corners that have begun to droop with age, restoring a more youthful contour. This diversity highlights the critical importance of personalised surgical planning. Dr Scott J Turner emphasises a bespoke approach, ensuring your aesthetic goals are understood and met, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all technique.
The Science Behind Lateral Canthoplasty
Lateral canthoplasty is a sophisticated surgical procedure that precisely modifies the outer corner of the eye to achieve the desired fox eye appearance. Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, employs advanced surgical techniques to reshape the eye’s outer corner while maintaining proper eyelid function and creating enhanced, harmonious results.
Anatomical Modifications
The procedure involves two primary biomechanical modifications:
- Canthal tilt adjustment: The lateral canthal tendon is released and repositioned 2-4mm higher than its original insertion point at Whitnall’s tubercle
- Palpebral fissure elongation: The horizontal eye opening is increased by 4-6mm through careful tissue manipulation
Why Combine Lateral Canthoplasty with Brow Lift Surgery?
Combining lateral canthoplasty with brow lift surgery creates the coveted “fox eye” aesthetic by addressing both the eye corners and brow position together. This dual approach delivers superior results by harmonizing the entire upper face rather than treating areas in isolation.
The Synergistic Effect of Combined Procedures
Canthoplasty’s Primary Role: Lateral canthoplasty serves as the foundation of fox eye enhancement by directly lifting, reshaping, and repositioning the outer corner of the eye (lateral canthus). This procedure adjusts the lateral canthal tendon to achieve the characteristic upward slant and elongated appearance that defines the fox eye look. When surgeons refer to “fox eye lift,” they’re often describing canthoplasty procedures specifically designed to elevate the outer corners and create that distinctive gentle upward tilt.
Brow Lift’s Complementary Function: The brow lift component addresses the position and shape of the eyebrows, particularly the outer portion. By elevating the lateral brow, this procedure complements the canthoplasty by further opening up the eye area and enhancing the upward and outward sweep desired in the fox eye aesthetic. This creates blended contours and ensures comprehensive rejuvenation of both the eye and brow regions.
Comprehensive Upper Face Enhancement
Combining lateral canthoplasty with brow lift surgery creates the coveted fox eye aesthetic by addressing both the eye corners and brow position together. This approach elevates the outer brow while lifting the eye’s outer corner to create the characteristic almond-shaped, upward-tilted appearance. Additional procedures such as blepharoplasty, facial fat grafting, or midface lift may be incorporated for more comprehensive enhancement.
The combination ensures optimal facial harmony by preventing the “overdone” look that can result from treating areas in isolation. When performed together, these procedures provide removal of hooded eyelids, smoothing of forehead wrinkles, enhanced eye opening for a more alert appearance, and creation of blended contours with harmonious transitions between treated areas. The synergistic effect creates a smoother, more defined eye contour while maintaining balanced facial expressions that complement each individual’s unique features.
The Ponytail Facelift: Comprehensive Fox Eye Enhancement
For patients seeking the most comprehensive approach to fox eye enhancement, the Ponytail Facelift represents the pinnacle of facial rejuvenation surgery. This innovative procedure combines multiple techniques to achieve enhanced results that extend far beyond isolated eye enhancement, mimicking the lifted, youthful appearance associated with pulling the hair back into a high ponytail.
Key Components of the Ponytail Facelift for Fox Eye Enhancement
Brow and Forehead Lift: A cornerstone of the ponytail technique is the sophisticated elevation of the eyebrows and forehead, particularly targeting the outer brow area. This component:
- Opens up the eye region: Reduces hooding and creates a more alert, youthful appearance
- Enhances fox eye aesthetics: The lateral brow lift contributes significantly to the upward and outward sweep desired in the fox eye look
- Creates enhanced results: Focus on “brow rotation” rather than traditional lifting for optimal eye enhancement
Eyelid Shaping: The ponytail facelift enhances eye shape through:
- Fat transfer: Advanced eyelid sculpting using sutures and strategic fat placement without direct tissue removal
- Lower lid refinement: Incorporating “lower lid skin pinch” techniques for comprehensive eyelid enhancement
- Upper Eyelid refinement: Can be seamlessly combined with traditional blepharoplasty when more significant correction is needed
Mini Deep Plane Facelift: The ponytail approach incorporates refined mini facelift principles that enhance fox eye results by:
- Deep plane lifting: Repositioning underlying facial muscles and tissues in the midface for foundational support
- Creating vertical lift: Working against gravity with enhanced, upward vector forces to support eye changes
- Targeting specific areas: Addressing mild to moderate sagging in cheeks and jowls using smaller, discreet incisions
Surgical vs Non-Surgical Fox Eye Options
Non-Surgical Alternatives
Thread Lifts: Use absorbable sutures to temporarily lift the outer brow and eye corner. Results last 6-12 months but carry risks of pain, asymmetry, and visible threads.
Injectables: Injectables can create subtle brow elevation and volume enhancement. Effects last 3-18 months but cannot achieve structural changes to the eye shape.
Why Surgery Provides Superior Results
Surgical fox eye enhancement offers permanent structural modification of the lateral canthal tendon, creating measurable changes in eye shape and canthal tilt. Dr Scott J Turner combines lateral canthoplasty with brow lift surgery to address multiple aspects of the upper face simultaneously, delivering comprehensive rejuvenation that non-surgical methods cannot achieve.
| Feature | Surgical Fox Eye | Non-Surgical Options |
|---|---|---|
| Results | Dramatic, permanent structural change | Subtle, temporary improvement |
| Duration | 10-15 years | 3-18 months |
| Canthal tilt change | +12-15 degrees | +3-5 degrees |
| Revision rate | 3-6% | 25-35% |
Why Choose Dr Scott J Turner for Fox Eye Surgery in Sydney?
Essential Qualifications and Expertise
When selecting a surgeon for fox eye surgery, it’s crucial to verify proper credentials. Dr Scott J Turner meets all essential qualifications including AHPRA registration as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, FRACS (Plast) qualification indicating completed specialist training in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and ANZBCPS certification demonstrating specific focus and expertise in cosmetic plastic surgery.
Dr Scott J Turner brings extensive experience in facial plastic surgery, with particular expertise in:
- Advanced oculoplastic techniques and canthal procedures
- Facial harmony and proportion assessment
- Complex revision procedures when necessary
- Enhanced aesthetic enhancement tailored to individual features
- Cultural sensitivity in aesthetic planning
- Combination procedures including brow lifts, blepharoplasty, and ponytail facelifts
Conclusion
The combination of lateral canthoplasty and brow lift surgery represents an effective approach for achieving enhanced, long-lasting fox eye results. By addressing both the eye corners and brow position simultaneously, this approach creates comprehensive upper facial harmony that enhances your natural features while providing dramatic, lasting improvement.
If you’re considering fox eye surgery in Sydney, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr Scott J Turner to explore how these advanced techniques can help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Our commitment to surgical excellence, patient safety, and enhanced results makes us a premier choice for fox eye enhancement in Sydney.
Ready to discover how fox eye surgery can transform your appearance? Contact us today to schedule your personalised consultation at our Sydney clinics.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Individual results may vary, and all surgical procedures carry risks. The information provided does not replace a consultation with a qualified medical professional. Before making any decisions about surgery, it is essential to have a thorough consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon who can assess your individual circumstances, discuss potential risks and benefits, and determine the most appropriate treatment options for your specific needs. Dr Scott J Turner is a specialist plastic surgeon, and this information should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
