Aging
As we age:
- Facial fat decreases
- Bone support changes
- Skin becomes thinner
- Soft tissues descend
These changes can create hollowness beneath the eyes and make patients appear older or tired.
1mm Plastic Surgery · Gangnam, Seoul
Fat Grafting Under Eyes in Gangnam Seoul Korea
Under-eye fat grafting is an advanced facial rejuvenation procedure that restores volume beneath the eyes using purified fat harvested from the patient's own body.
1mm
Seoul
0%
Ghost surgery. Your surgeon is disclosed before every operation.
1 : 1
A dedicated anesthesia team for each patient, through recovery.
ASPS
Surgeons who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
In short
Under-eye fat grafting is an advanced facial rejuvenation procedure that restores volume beneath the eyes using purified fat harvested from the patient's own body. At 1mm Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, Seoul, Korea, fat grafting is commonly performed to improve tear troughs, hollow under-eyes, volume loss, dark shadows, and sunken eye contours. By transferring living fat cells to the under-eye area, the procedure helps create smoother transitions between the lower eyelid and cheek while maintaining a natural appearance and long-lasting improvement. Fat grafting is often combined with lower blepharoplasty or fat repositioning for comprehensive under-eye rejuvenation.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Eon Rok Do, board-certified plastic surgeon · Updated October 2026
Overview
What Is Under-Eye Fat Grafting?
Under-eye fat grafting, also known as fat transfer or fat injection under the eyes, involves harvesting fat from another area of the body and carefully injecting it into hollow or volume-deficient areas around the eyes.
The procedure is commonly used to improve:
- Tear trough deformities
- Hollow under-eyes
- Sunken eye appearance
- Dark shadows
- Volume loss
- Facial aging around the eyes
Because the fat comes from the patient's own body, it offers a natural solution for restoring youthful contours.
02
What Causes Hollow Under-Eyes?
Genetics
Some patients naturally have:
- Deep tear troughs
- Hollow eyes
- Prominent under-eye shadows
even at a young age.
Previous Eyelid Surgery
Overcorrection during eyelid surgery may occasionally lead to:
- Hollow under-eyes
- Sunken appearance
- Volume deficiency
Fat grafting is often used as a revision technique in these situations.
Candidates
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may be a candidate if you have:
- Tear troughs
- Hollow under-eyes
- Dark shadows
- Sunken eyes
- Volume loss beneath the eyes
- Previous eyelid surgery with hollowness
- Thin under-eye tissues
A consultation is necessary to determine whether fat grafting, fat repositioning, or lower blepharoplasty would provide the best result.
Procedure
How Is Under-Eye Fat Grafting Performed?
Step 1: Fat Harvesting
A small amount of fat is collected from areas such as:
- Abdomen
- Thighs
- Flanks
The harvested fat is then purified before injection.
Step 2: Fat Processing
The collected fat is carefully processed to:
- Remove impurities
- Isolate healthy fat cells
- Improve graft survival
Step 3: Precise Fat Injection
Tiny amounts of fat are strategically placed beneath the eyes using specialized techniques.
The goal is to:
- Restore volume
- Smooth hollows
- Improve contour transitions
- Avoid overcorrection
Successful under-eye fat grafting requires meticulous placement because the eyelid area is one of the most delicate regions of the face.
Results
Benefits of Under-Eye Fat Grafting
Natural Volume Restoration
Because your own fat is used, results often feel and look natural.
Improvement of Tear Troughs
Fat grafting can soften:
- Deep tear troughs
- Hollow grooves
- Under-eye shadows
Long-Lasting Results
Unlike temporary fillers, transferred fat that successfully survives can provide long-term volume improvement.
Comprehensive Rejuvenation
The procedure improves:
- Hollow eyes
- Sunken appearance
- Facial fatigue
- Under-eye contour irregularities
06
Fat Grafting vs Tear Trough Fillers
Fat Grafting
Benefits:
- Uses your own tissue
- Long-lasting results
- Natural integration
- No filler material
Potential considerations:
- Variable fat survival
- Longer recovery
- More technically demanding
Tear Trough Fillers
Benefits:
- Minimal downtime
- Immediate improvement
- Non-surgical procedure
Potential limitations:
- Temporary results
- Maintenance treatments
- Not suitable for every patient
Many patients with significant hollowness prefer fat grafting for longer-lasting correction.
Real result
Before & after.
A under-eye surgery result at 1mm Plastic Surgery, Gangnam. Every case is planned around the patient's own anatomy.
Published with patient consent. Individual results vary with anatomy, healing and the technique used.
All before & after photos Before
After
07
Fat Grafting vs Under-Eye Fat Repositioning
These procedures address different problems.
Fat Grafting
Best for:
- Volume deficiency
- Hollow eyes
- Tear troughs
- Sunken appearance
Fat Repositioning
Best for:
- Eye bags
- Fat protrusion
- Tear troughs combined with puffiness
In some patients, both procedures may be performed together for optimal rejuvenation.
Recovery
Recovery After Under-Eye Fat Grafting
Days 1–3
- Swelling
- Mild bruising
- Fullness beneath the eyes
Week 1
- Initial settling
- Reduced swelling
Weeks 2–6
- Improved contour
- Better integration of transferred fat
Months 3–6
- Final fat survival becomes more apparent
- Long-term contour stabilization
Some swelling can persist for several weeks as the transferred fat settles into place.
Procedure
Can Fat Grafting Be Combined With Other Procedures?
Yes. Under-eye fat grafting is frequently combined with:
- Lower blepharoplasty
- Under-eye fat repositioning
- Upper blepharoplasty
- Ptosis correction
- Full facial fat grafting
- Anti-aging eyelid surgery
Combining procedures often creates more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Why 1mm
Why Choose 1mm Plastic Surgery?
Patients choose 1mm Plastic Surgery because of:
- Specialized eyelid surgery expertise
- Advanced fat grafting techniques
- Natural under-eye rejuvenation philosophy
- Customized facial analysis
- Revision eyelid surgery experience
- Anti-aging surgical expertise
- International patient services
- Comprehensive postoperative care
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and a coordinator will reply in English.
What is under-eye fat grafting?
Under-eye fat grafting transfers purified fat from another area of the body into hollow areas beneath the eyes to restore volume and improve under-eye contours.
What problems can fat grafting improve?
Fat grafting may improve tear troughs, hollow eyes, volume loss, dark shadows, and under-eye contour irregularities.
Is fat grafting better than filler?
It depends on the patient. Fat grafting provides longer-lasting volume restoration, while fillers offer a non-surgical option with less downtime.
How long does under-eye fat grafting last?
Successfully surviving fat cells can provide long-term improvement that may last for many years.
Can fat grafting correct tear troughs?
Yes. Fat grafting is one of the most effective methods for improving hollow tear trough deformities.
Can fat grafting be combined with lower blepharoplasty?
Yes. Many patients combine fat grafting with lower eyelid surgery for more complete rejuvenation.
Is the procedure permanent?
A portion of the transferred fat typically survives permanently, while some fat is naturally absorbed during healing.
Will the results look natural?
When performed properly, fat grafting creates soft, natural-looking volume restoration rather than an overfilled appearance.
What is recovery like after under-eye fat grafting?
Most patients experience swelling and bruising for one to two weeks, with continued improvement over several months.
Can international patients undergo under-eye fat grafting in Korea?
Yes. Many international patients travel to Gangnam, Seoul, Korea for advanced under-eye fat grafting and eyelid rejuvenation procedures.
Reviewed by
Dr. Eon Rok Do
Representative Director of 1mm Plastic Surgery and board-certified plastic surgeon. Every operation at 1mm is performed by the surgeon named in your consultation and surgery record — no ghost or proxy surgery. Full surgeon profiles · English-speaking eyelid surgeon in Seoul
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