Love band surgery (also called Aegyo-sal surgery) is a cosmetic procedure that creates or enhances the small puffy roll just under the lower eyelashes. This feature makes the eyes
What the “love band” is
- It’s the natural fullness directly under the lower eyelid, right beneath the lash line.
- It’s common in children and young people and becomes visible when smiling.
- It’s different from eye bags, which occur lower and are usually associated with aging or fatigue.
What the surgery does
The procedure adds volume to that area so it looks like a natural “cute” puff under the eyes.
Common techniques
- Dermal fillers – hyaluronic acid injections (temporary, about 6 months).
- Fat injection grafting unpredictable volume retention.
- Dermal grafts (e.g., AlloDerm) – more permanent surgical option.
Why people get it
- Makes eyes look larger and brighter
- Creates a youthful and friendly expression
- Popular in Korean and East Asian beauty trends
Love Band (Aegyo-sal) Surgical Technique
The goal of love band surgery is to create a subtle roll of fullness directly beneath the lower eyelash line that becomes more visible when smiling, mimicking the natural pretarsal orbicularis oculi muscle bulge.
Preoperative Planning
- Patient evaluated in neutral and smiling positions.
- The desired love band height and length is marked (usually 3–5 mm below the lash line).
AlloDerm / Dermal Graft Implant Technique
My preferred technique:
Steps
- Local anesthesia with epinephrine into implanted area below the lash line
- 3mm lateral lateral canthal incision and medial lashline incision just lateral to the lacrimal puncture
- A pretarsal pocket superficial to the orbicularis muscle is created byinstrument tunneling between the two incisions.
- A 2mm thick AlloDerm graft 4mm in height with a length equal to that of the lash line is fashioned from a larger sheet
- Graft inserted along the pretarsal pocket using a threaded suture technique
- Skin closure with 6-0 plain sutures
Advantages
- Long-lasting
- Controlled shape
- Pocket control by tunnel technique
The alternative to the tunnel technique is open placement of the graft through a complete subciliary incision. I find that only necessary if the lower lid is scarred or has had prior surgery.
Risks
- Implant visibility
- Asymmetry
- Infection
Recovery
- Bruising and swelling that will take 10 t0 14 days to completely resolve
- No after care is needed, only patience is required to see the final result
Dr Barry Eppley
Plastic Surgeon