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2025.11.30

How to Treat Ingrown Eyelashes ⸻ An Approach That Values Both Appearance and Function

藤橋 政尭
Supervising Physician
Masataka Fujihashi

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I have handled numerous cases involving trauma, reconstruction, and congenital conditions, cultivating precise techniques and deep anatomical understanding. Driven by the desire to deliver the transformative power of beauty—where visible change uplifts the spirit—I pursued a career in cosmetic surgery. My areas of expertise include comprehensive eye treatments, injectable therapies, and anti-sagging procedures. Guided by a commitment to sincerely address each patient's aspirations, I provide meticulously crafted treatments focused on achieving beauty.

Hello!

Designing natural beauty with trust.

I am Masataka Fujihashi, a board-certified plastic surgeon.

 

Inverted eyelashes (trichiasis) can range from mild to severe. In severe cases, the eyelashes constantly rub against the cornea, causing pain, redness, and other symptoms that can interfere with daily life.

Therefore, surgery becomes essential for symptoms above a certain level, and most people will first visit an ophthalmologist.

While the goal of treatment for ingrown eyelashes is naturally to "improve" them, in fact...Since it's eye surgery, the post-operative appearance is also an important point.is

However, since the primary purpose of surgeries performed under insurance-covered treatment is "functional improvement,"It's not as though many practitioners take appearance into consideration.That is the current situation.

Common visual changes that may occur after ingrown eyelash surgery include:

• The tear trough disappears

• The scar is noticeable

These are the risks involved.

Regarding tear troughs specifically, they tend to diminish more easily due to the nature of the surgical procedure, but with careful techniques, it is possible to minimize this effect.

What I've come to realize through counseling is that, especially for women, the tear troughs are a crucial feature that significantly shapes the overall impression of the face.

Before I gained extensive experience performing cosmetic surgery procedures myself, I must admit I had gaps in both knowledge and technique regarding how to preserve the tear troughs and achieve a beautiful, refined result.

However, I strongly feel that combining the fundamental techniques honed through insurance-based medical practice with the “obsession with appearance” demanded in cosmetic surgery is crucial for achieving the ultimate quality.

 

 

■ What Are Tear Troughs? Starting with Their Structure

Tear troughs are not "skin bulges,"The bulge of the orbicularis oculi muscle just above the tarsal platerefers to the following.

When you smile, they puff up, creating a gentle and adorable impression—an important feature.

However, in the Hotz procedure—the representative surgery for inverted eyelashes—a portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle and skin is excised, and the orbicularis oculi muscle is sutured to the tarsal plate. This corrects the direction of the eyelashes from the cranial (headward) to the caudal (tailward) direction.

Because of this structure,Cases where tear troughs diminish are commonThat's why.

 

 

■ Techniques for Preserving the Tear Trough

In mild to moderate cases,

Minimize removal of the orbicularis oculi muscle

• Orbicularis oculi muscle-Tarsal plateAdjust the suture placement to avoid crushing the orbicularis oculi muscle.

We strive to preserve the tear troughs through such methods.

Of course, the suitability depends on the severity of the inverted eyelashes, but in mild cases, because the lower eyelid is covered by skin, surgery can remove this skin overhang,Improve inverted eyelashes + make eyes appear largerand the added bonus ofYou can obtain it.

For those seeking wide-open eyes, this is a major advantage.

 

 

■ For those with pronounced epicanthal folds, we recommend simultaneous epicanthoplasty.

Individuals with inverted eyelashes often have prominent epicanthal folds.

When the epicanthal fold is pronounced, the eyelashes near the inner corner of the eye tend to curl inward more easily,One cause of ingrown eyelashesIt may also be the case.

Therefore, depending on the case,Inverted Eyelash Surgery + Inner Canthus Incision Performed SimultaneouslyperformThis can help improve the appearance of your eyes, making them look more refreshed.

Many people actually find that their eyes don't look as bright and clear as they could because of inverted eyelashes.

 

 

■ The fact that inverted eyelash surgery is prone to relapse

Surgery for ingrown eyelashes is actuallySurgery prone to recurrenceas well.

Of course, I too experienced setbacks when I first started performing inverted eyelash surgery in plastic surgery.

Currently, depending on the severity,Combined use of lid margin split (I'll skip the detailed explanation since it's quite technical)We have been able to achieve stable results by selecting surgical procedures tailored to each individual case.

When I look at social media,

• Ingrown eyelashes have not sufficiently improved

• The scar looks unnatural

There are also quite a few case photos like this, but this isLack of understanding of internal processingis often the cause.

Direction of internal management, handling of the orbicularis oculi muscle, suturing techniques,TheseA thoroughly trained surgeon performs the operation with great care.by doing so,Significant improvement can be achieved in reversing setbacks and healing scars.

In truth, inverted eyelash surgery is a difficult procedure that "doesn't improve with just a few attempts."

I myself have refined my techniques through trial and error since my plastic surgery days, and have now perfected them to a level where I can confidently offer them as cosmetic surgical procedures.

 

 

■ Summary

Ingrown eyelashes not only cause eye problems but also affect the final appearance.

Since insurance-covered treatments have the purpose of “functional improvement,” aesthetic considerations like tear troughs or cosmetic design may not always be fully prioritized.

• I want to preserve the tear troughs as much as possible

• I want to achieve wide-open eyes too

• I want to minimize the visibility of the scar

If you have such desires, consider consulting with a cosmetic surgeon.

We will propose the optimal approach tailored to your symptoms and goals.

 

 

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【Profile】

Masataka Fujihashi, MD, Plastic Surgeon

Leveraging expertise as a board-certified plastic surgeon, I offer comprehensive facial cosmetic procedures including eyelid and nose surgery, facial liposuction, thread lifts, and hyaluronic acid injections. From incisional surgeries and revision procedures requiring delicate design to minimally invasive injections and lifts with minimal downtime, I strive to provide treatments tailored to each patient's ideal outcome.

We are dedicated to achieving natural results and minimizing downtime, pursuing medical care that leaves you feeling confident in your choice through sincere consultations.

Designing natural beauty with trust.

We cherish that sentiment and apply it to our daily practice.

 

Read other blog posts

https://biancaclinic.jp/author_cat/fujihashi/

 

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【Career】

March 2015: Graduated from the School of Medicine, Showa University

April 2015 Showa University Yokohama Northern Hospital Initial Clinical Training

April 2017 Showa University Hospital Department of Plastic Surgery

October 2017 Maebashi Red Cross Hospital Plastic Surgery / Cosmetic Surgery

April 2019 Nishio Municipal Hospital Plastic Surgery Department

April 2020 Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital Plastic Surgery Department

November 2020 Ota Nishinouchi Hospital Plastic Surgery / Cosmetic Surgery

July 2022 Tokyo Rosai Hospital Plastic Surgery / Cosmetic Surgery  Department Head

July 2022: R.O.clinic (Part-time), Kusano Taro Clinic (Part-time)

April 2024 Deputy Director, Ginza TA Clinic

November 2025 BIANCA CLINIC

 

【Professional Affiliations and Qualifications】

Japanese Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Member of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (JSAPS)

Member of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Surgery (JSAS)

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