Undergoing double eyelid surgery could significantly enhance both your appearance and self-confidence by creating an upper eyelid crease that aligns with your aesthetic goals. Contents
Double eyelid surgery, also known as Asian blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to create or enhance a crease in the upper eyelid. This procedure is particularly popular among individuals of East Asian descent who may have monolids, hooded eyelids, or eyelids without a natural crease.
Learn more about Asian eyelid anatomy in this article.
Double eyelid surgery before and after: Discover these amazing results achieved by Dr. Kenneth Kim:
Beyond aesthetic improvements, double eyelid surgery can also offer functional benefits. For individuals with excess skin on their upper eyelids or with a weak muscle that causes droopy eyelids, the surgery can remove both types of obstruction, enhancing peripheral and overall vision.
This can lead to a significant improvement in daily activities and reduce eye strain, especially during tasks that require prolonged focus, such as reading or working on a computer. Learn more about ptosis repair and droopy eyelid correction performed by Dr. Kim.
| Surgical Method (Incisional) | Non-Surgical Method (Non-Incisional / Suture) |
|---|---|
In double eyelid surgery, the incisional method creates a crease through a precise cut on the upper eyelid. This allows the surgeon to directly address concerns like excess skin, puffy eyelids, or a lack of natural crease. Compared to the non-incisional method, it offers more control over eyelid reshaping and crease design, making it ideal for patients with thicker skin, deeper folds, or puffiness. While it requires a longer healing time, the surgical method offers lasting results and greater control over the final eyelid form. |
Also known as the “stitch” or “thread” method, this technique involves making small punctures along the eyelid and using sutures to create the crease. It has a shorter recovery time than the incisional method. This method is ideal for individuals with thinner skin and less excess tissue.
Video graphic: Non-surgical (non-incisional / Suture) technique in Double Eyelid Surgery |
The best candidates for double eyelid surgery are individuals who have specific aesthetic goals related to their eyelids and are in good overall health.
Ideal candidates typically have hooded eyelids with excess skin or poorly defined eyelid creases and desire a more prominent, double eyelid fold to enhance their appearance. They may feel self-conscious about the lack of definition in their eyelids or seek to achieve uniformity between their eyes.
Double eyelid surgery is not painful. Typically, patients do not feel pain during the procedure itself, as it is performed under local anesthesia.
Local anesthesia numbs the eye area and helps patients relax during surgery. Learn more about the health benefits of local anesthesia and awake blepharoplasty here.The duration of the surgery usually ranges from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure and whether it is combined with other surgeries.
Double eyelid surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance.
During the consultation, Dr. Kim will design a personalized procedure plan that aligns with your unique features and goals.
The cost will depend on the specifics of your customized procedure.
To learn how double eyelid surgery can enhance your appearance, schedule a consultation by calling (213) 700-4297 or clicking here. We look forward to meeting you!
Dr. Kenneth Kim is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon delivering personalized, natural results with a unique ability to perform comprehensive surgery with minimal recovery time.
Dr. Kim has extensive knowledge and experience in Asian cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He is also an assistant clinical professor at UCLA and a clinical instructor at Seoul National University. His meticulous and advanced surgical approach helps minimize internal and external scarring, leading to optimal results. Dr. Kim has performed thousands of Asian double eyelid surgeries and has the knowledge and experience to help you achieve your goals. To get to know Dr. Kim and gain a better understanding of the advantages, methods, and recovery time of undergoing this medical procedure, click here or call our Los Angeles office at 213-700-4297 to schedule a consultation.
Asian double eyelid surgery typically provides long-lasting results, with longevity depending on the surgical technique used and individual factors. The incisional method usually offers long-lasting results, as the crease is structurally integrated with the eyelid's underlying tissues. On the other hand, the non-incisional method can also yield long-term results but may not be as enduring, often lasting several years to decades. For longer-lasting non-incisional results, Dr. Kim offers a 3D suture technique (3DST) where the fold maintains longer and eyes look bigger and brighter (ptosis correction).
The time it takes for double eyelid surgery to look natural varies depending on the surgery method chosen.
For incisional double eyelid surgery, most patients can expect significant swelling to reduce after 1 month. The final result will be visible within 6 months or so — your eyelids will settle into their new shape, achieving a beautiful and natural appearance.
If the non-incisional (non-surgical) method was used, you can expect to see the natural appearance much faster — from two to three weeks.
A. Preoperative photos of a 28-year-old woman with excess, puffy upper eyelids: eyes open (left), eyes closed (right)
B. The patient underwent incisional double-eyelid surgery via SAJT fixation and epicanthoplasty. One month after the surgery.
C. 4-year post-op with eyes open and closed.
Scarring after double eyelid surgery is typically non-visible and well-concealed within the natural folds of the eyelids. In the incisional method, the scar may initially appear slightly red or raised but typically fades over time to become faint and inconspicuous. Surgeons take care to place incisions along the natural eyelid crease or in other discreet locations to minimize visibility. In the non-incisional method, scarring is even less noticeable, as there are no external incisions.
In general, the incisional method often provides more consistent and enduring results, as the crease is structurally integrated with the underlying tissues. The non-incisional method may offer long-term but potentially less enduring results, as the sutures can gradually loosen or break over time.
The average age for double eyelid surgery, or Asian blepharoplasty, can vary depending on cultural preferences, individual aesthetic goals, and the presence of specific eyelid concerns. In many East Asian countries, where double eyelid surgery is particularly popular, individuals often undergo the procedure in their late teens or early twenties. At this age, the eyelid structures are fully developed, and individuals may seek surgery to achieve a more defined and symmetrical appearance.
However, double eyelid surgery for younger patients is not limited, and it can be performed at any age depending on the patient's needs and goals. Older adults may also choose to undergo the procedure to address age-related changes such as drooping eyelids or to rejuvenate the appearance of the eye area. Ultimately, the decision to undergo double eyelid surgery is highly personal and should be based on individual considerations, with guidance from a qualified plastic surgeon like Dr. Kim. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kim, click here or call our Los Angeles office at 213-700-4297.
Kim, H. S., Hwang, K., Kim, C. K., & Kim, K. K. (2013). Double-eyelid surgery using septoaponeurosis junctional thickening results in dynamic fold in Asians. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 1(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0b013e318293dc69
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