Online chatter recently erupted regarding actress Han Hyo-joo’s noticeably more defined eyes, sparking speculation over whether she had undergone a cosmetic procedure.
A trending post on an online community forum titled "Shockingly Different Eye Shape? Han Hyo-joo’s Vibe Has Changed" highlighted her appearance at a recent brand pop-up event. The author argued that Han’s double-eyelid line appeared significantly deeper and sharper than her previously softer look. Netizens weighed in with mixed reactions, ranging from plastic surgery speculation to praise, with comments noting, "She looks gorgeous even with a stronger double eyelid."
Han has addressed speculation about her changing eye shape in the past. Appearing on the YouTube channel VIVO TV, she explained: “I had complete monolids in middle school, but double eyelids developed naturally during high school, which created the face I have today. There were plastic surgery rumors back then too, but as I get older, I keep getting more double-eyelid lines. On some days, I even end up with five creases.”
How Aging and Weight Loss Create Natural Double Eyelids
While double eyelids typically appear during childhood, they can also form later in life. Primary triggers include rapid fat loss around the face due to dieting and structural changes in the ocular tissue caused by aging.
When a crease forms after adolescence or middle age, anatomical changes around the eyes are usually responsible. Mechanically, a double eyelid is created when the levator palpebrae superioris—the primary muscle responsible for lifting the upper eyelid—connects with the overlying eyelid skin. When the eye opens, the levator muscle contracts and pulls the skin inward, creating a fold.
As part of the natural aging process, subcutaneous fat around the eyes diminishes and skin elasticity wanes. As the eyelid skin sags and repeatedly folds over itself, the levator muscle can draw closer to the skin surface, gradually setting a permanent acquired double eyelid. While surgical options exist to remove acquired creases by separating the levator muscle from the skin, clinicians advise caution due to the risk of visible scarring.
If severe fat loss or skin laxity prevents the fold from holding securely, the double eyelid may repeatedly fade and reappear. In cases where an unstable crease stems from a lack of orbital fat, fat grafting may be evaluated as a corrective option.
Sagging Upper Eyelids: From Aesthetic Concerns to Functional Discomfort
As aging progresses further, the upper eyelids themselves may begin to droop significantly as tissue elasticity breaks down.
Excessive eyelid sagging extends beyond cosmetic appearance—it frequently causes functional discomfort in daily life. Drooping tissue can obstruct the upper field of vision, push eyelashes inward to irritate the cornea, cause frequent tearing, or lead to painful skin chafing in the eyelid folds.
When symptoms interfere with vision or daily activities, medical evaluation is recommended. Clinicians often address severe upper eyelid drooping with procedures such as a sub-brow lift, which involves making a discreet incision beneath the eyebrow to excise excess skin and tissue.
