Double Eyelid Surgery in Korea
Double eyelid surgery is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in South Korea. Asian blepharoplasty creates an eyelid crease and improves eye symmetry and appearance.
The procedure can be non-incision, incision, or partial incisional. Non-incision double eyelid surgery involves inserting fine threads along the eyelid line and needs 30 minutes and recovery takes 2-3 weeks. Incision double eyelid surgery involves incising the eyelids to remove unnecessary fats and muscles, takes 60-90 minutes, and recovery lasts 1-2 weeks. Non-incision surgery has faster recovery, and ideal candidates have thin and non-saggy eyelid skin.
What is double eyelid surgery?
Double eyelid surgery or “Asian blepharoplasty” creates an eyelid crease, and this cosmetic procedure creates a crease in an upper eyelid using sutures to mimic fibrous attachments that are naturally present in double eyelids. Double eyelid surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in South Korea. East Asian blepharoplasty reshapes the skin around the eye to create a crease in an upper eyelid that naturally lacks one. The double-eyelid operation is a cosmetic procedure performed primarily on Asians who have no supratarsal folds. It is performed on ethnic East Asians including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean descent, because the percentage of Koreans with upper-eyelid creases is only about 41%, whereas reported amounts range from 70-83% in Chinese and Japanese populations.
Korean surgeons customize double eyelid surgery to individual eye shape. The goal is to guarantee a stable double-eyelid fold with predictable and long-lasting results. Incision Double Eyelid Surgery makes an incision along the upper eyelid, removes droopy skin and excess fat, and corrects heavy upper eyelids and ptosis. The thread method creates a double eyelid by inserting and sewing thread in micro-holes underneath the eyelid skin. Height from the upper lash line to the new eyelid crease is customized, and consultation discusses goals and preferred eyelid shape. A personalized approach tailors techniques to individual eye characteristics and fits seamlessly with facial features, refining natural beauty.
Around 200,000 people undergo double eyelid surgery every year in Korea, making East Asian blepharoplasty the most common aesthetic procedure in the country. Double eyelid surgery creates a larger and more symmetric, almond-patterned eye and gives the appearance of larger, more expressive eyes. It is a common choice for K-pop idols and influencers who want polished, camera-ready looks. Side effects like inflammation after the surgery vary by individual and require appropriate treatment.
What are the types of double eyelid surgery in Korea?
The types of double eyelid surgery in Korea are detailed below.
- Thread inserted and sewed in micro-holes double eyelid surgery
- Cutting or open method double eyelid surgery
- Incisional method double eyelid surgery
- Semi-outline double eyelid surgery
- Suture method double eyelid surgery
- Incisional double eyelid surgery
- Non-incision method double eyelid surgery
- Partial incisional double eyelid surgery
- Full incision double eyelid surgery
- In-line double eyelid surgery
- Non-incisional double eyelid surgery
Full-incision or open eyelid surgery involves making a small incision along the upper eyelid. It removes excess skin, fat, or muscle and provides a long-lasting and defined double eyelid fold. It is suitable for thick or sagging eyelids and for revision surgery but leaves a scar. It also requires longer downtime. Double eyelid surgery is broken down into two main types. One is the non-incision method, called the suture method. A thread is inserted and sewn in these micro-holes. This method allows fast recovery with minimal scarring. It is less invasive but results are not as long-lasting. There are four types of double eyelid creases: in-line, in-outline, semi-outline, and outline. These classifications help guide the design of the eyelid fold. Double eyelid surgery is combined with other procedures like canthoplasty and transconjunctival fat repositioning.
What is non-incisional double eyelid surgery in Korea?
Non-incisional double eyelid surgery is a type of eyelid procedure that creates a supratarsal fold without cutting the skin. Instead, Korean surgeons employ an advanced double adhesion technique in which multiple micro holes are punctured along the planned fold line, and fine sutures are threaded through these holes to tighten skin and muscles to the levator palpebrae muscle. The 7-0 nylon needle is inserted and sewed in the micro-holes together, forming a strong, enduring bond that supports the new crease.
Because the upper eyelid is not punctured with large incisions, the method is minimally invasive and is suitable for individuals with thin eyelids or minimal excess skin and fat. Local deep sleep anesthesia is used, operation time is 20-30 minutes, and hospitalization is not required and the patient is discharged the same day. Recovery is faster and gives much less swelling than incisional double eyelid surgery, and the resulting line is smooth and sleek with minimal scarring.
Non-incisional double-eyelid blepharoplasty is popular in Korea and is performed in an office setting. It is simple and more easily revised if adjustment is desired. Although complications like asymmetry, loosening of the double fold, or slight inflammation occur, appropriate choice of patients and meticulous technique decrease these risks. The outcome is a subtle, natural look that harmonizes with overall facial features while offering the convenience of a short procedure and rapid return to daily activities.
What is the recovery process for double eyelid surgery in Korea?
Recovery process after Korean double eyelid surgery varies by method. The non-incision method gives faster recovery and swelling subsides within 1-2 weeks, stitch removal is 2 days, and most patients can expect to fully recover within 3 weeks. Incision method results in slower recovery and swelling subsides within 1-2 weeks, stitch removal occurs at 4 days, and residual swelling resolves over 3-6 months. The incision line remains visible for 2-3 months and scars fade within 3-6 months.
Initial swelling subsides within 1-2 weeks for both methods. Patients can expect moderate swelling and bruising, which resolves by 1-2 weeks. Days 1-3 bring immediate post-op symptoms, days 4-7 mark peak swelling and stitch removal. Patients must elevate their heads while sleeping, avoid rubbing or massaging the surgical site, and protect their eyes from dust, wind, and bright sunlight. Patients must avoid washing the area unless advised, refrain from wearing makeup, and use prescribed antibiotic ointments to support recovery.
Contact lenses can be worn after 10-14 days. Patients return to normal activities after 10-14 days and to full routine by weeks 3-4. A compression garment is worn for up to 4 weeks to help recovery. Full recovery within 3 weeks is common, yet residual swelling lasts 3-6 months and side effects like inflammation vary by each individual.
How long do I need to stay in Korea for double eyelid surgery?
Double eyelid surgery patients will stay in Korea at least 7 days for recovery. Most clinics schedule the final check-up and medical clearance for travel around day 10-14. You must arrive in South Korea a few days before the scheduled surgery date so that the initial consultation takes place on day 1-2. After the 30 to 90 minute operation, follow-up appointments are arranged after 7 days, and patients book accommodation close to the clinic for easy access during this period. If a non-incisional method is chosen, swelling is less and recovery is faster, yet the same clearance timeline applies. Those combining multiple procedures or opting for incisional techniques will require the full 10-14 day window before flying home.
What is the history of Korean double eyelid surgery?
The first reported double eyelid operation was done in 1896 by Dr. Kotaro Mikamo in Japan. In 1939 a magazine featured an advertisement for Aihon tape promoted to create double eyelids, and by 1935 possessing double eyelids had come to be recognized as a symbol of modern beauty. The practice of double eyelid surgery originated during the Korean War when Dr. D. Ralph Millard was stationed in Korea during the Korean War (1950-53). Millard began rudimentary attempts at double eyelid surgery while stationed in Korea. He performed the surgery on Korean war brides married to American servicemen, on Korean translators, and on Korean sex workers, calling the procedures deorientalizing surgeries. Kim’s research states that double eyelid surgery became popular in Asia during the Korean War. In 1961 the first university department of plastic surgery in Korea was developed at Yonsei University, and in 1974 the Supreme Court in Korea approved plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes as medical practice.
Why should one get double eyelid surgery in Korea?
Korea offers world-class surgeons who handle double eyelid surgery cases with advanced techniques and a high success rate. Korean clinics charge more competitive pricing than Western countries yet never compromise quality, so overseas patients receive premium care for less. The surgery is customized to your unique preferences. Height, width, and crease shape are planned during a personalized consultation with a qualified surgeon. Thirty minutes under local or IV sedation delivers fast recovery, minimal scarring, and a refreshed, youthful appearance that lasts for years. Beyond aesthetics, the crease enlarges the visual field, stops eyelashes from scratching the cornea, and simplifies eyeshadow and eyeliner application. Patients leave looking more expressive, energetic, and friendly, qualities that boost self-confidence and, for women, career success in Korea’s appearance-conscious society. The procedure carries little stigma, so whether you are 19 or 29, the decision feels natural, safe, and rewarding.
How much is double eyelid surgery in Korea?
The cost of double eyelid surgery in Korea typically ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, with most clinics quoting between 1,700,000 KRW (1,300 USD) and 3,000,000 KRW (2,300).; Average cost in South Korea is $1,500-$2,500 for standard incision or non-incision methods, while more intricate or combined procedures reach $4,500. Compared with the United States, where the average cost of double eyelid surgery averages $4,100-$5,640, surgery in South Korea is about 47-49 % less expensive.
The price is influenced by surgeon’s expertise, clinic reputation, and the technique used – non-incision method takes 30 minutes, incision method 30-90 minutes-and already includes surgeon’s fee, local anesthesia, necessary surgical materials, pre-op consultation, and one or more follow-up visits. Clinics in Korea advise being aware of additional fees or exchange-rate considerations when budgeting for eyelid surgery.
Where to get double eyelid surgery in Korea?
Made Young Plastic Surgery Clinic stands as a premier destination for double eyelid surgery in Korea. Located in the prestigious Gangnam district of Seoul, Made Young offers personalized double eyelid surgery, including incision technique procedures. The clinic’s approach ensures natural-looking results suited to each patient’s unique features.
ThePLUS Plastic Surgery stands out as the premier clinic for double-eyelid surgery in Korea. The clinic offers personalized double eyelid surgery suited to each patient’s unique facial structure. With an exceptional team of board-certified surgeons and an on-site anesthesiologist, ThePLUS is the trusted choice for refined, natural-looking double-eyelid surgery results.
AB Plastic Surgery Korea provides comprehensive services including safe medical examination before surgery. The clinic is accredited by Medical Korea and has a full-time anesthesiologist. AB Plastic Surgery partners with both Seoul Medical Tourism Alliance and Korea Health Industry Development Institute, providing quality care and attracting foreign patients.
Lienjang Plastic Surgery Center creates a beautiful double eyelid line that appears natural. The clinic employs optimized surgical techniques suited to each individual’s eyes, guaranteeing results that complement patients’ features seamlessly.