What is Asian eyelid surgery?
Many East Asian upper lids have no fold, or a fold that sits very low, because the skin is not anchored to the muscle that opens the eye. Add a little extra fat and a medial fold of skin (the epicanthus) and the eye can look smaller or sleepier than it really is.
Asian eyelid surgery is not one operation but a toolkit. The core step is usually double eyelid surgery to create the crease. Where needed, Dr. Lee adds gentle epicanthoplasty at the inner corner or ptosis correction if the lid-lifting muscle is weak. The aim is ethnic harmony, not westernisation.
Who is Asian eyelid surgery for?
- Monolids or hidden creases that leave little visible lid space.
- Uneven folds where one eye has a crease and the other does not.
- Daily eyelid tape or glue users who want a permanent alternative.
- A heavy, puffy upper lid from thick skin or extra fat.
- Inner-corner crowding that makes the eyes look close-set.
- Good general and eye health with realistic expectations about subtle change.
Men are welcome too — we usually design a lower, straighter crease; see male eyelid surgery.
Incisional, non-incisional or combined?
| Non-incisional (suture) | Incisional | Incisional + add-ons | |
| Suits | Thin skin, little fat | Thick skin, fat, laxity | Crowding or weak opening |
| Scar | Tiny puncture points | Fine line in the crease | Crease line + corner scar |
| Crease stability | Can loosen over years | Long-lasting | Long-lasting |
| Typical swelling | 1–2 weeks | 2–4 weeks | 3–4 weeks |
| Reversible? | Partly | No | No |
How is Asian eyelid surgery performed?
Before & after
Before
After
Browse further eyelid results in our before & after gallery.
What is the recovery like?
| Day 1–3 | Most swelling; cold packs and sleeping with your head raised. |
|---|---|
| Day 5–7 | Stitches removed after incisional surgery; glasses are fine. |
| Week 2–3 | Eye make-up allowed; the crease still looks slightly high. |
| Month 1–3 | The fold softens and settles to its final, lower height. |
“I design the crease for the face it sits in. A fold that suits a 20-year-old student may not suit her mother.”
Dr. Lee Yoo-jung · Chief DirectorWhat are the risks?
Risks include asymmetry, a crease that fades or forms extra lines, prolonged swelling, a fold that looks too high, and visible scarring at the inner corner if epicanthoplasty is over-done. A small proportion of patients need a touch-up. Dr. Lee designs conservatively because a crease that is too high is far harder to correct than one that is slightly low — see revision blepharoplasty for what correction involves.
Frequently asked questions
Will I look westernised?
No. The crease height and shape are planned for East Asian anatomy, usually lower and softer than a Western lid.
Which is better, incisional or non-incisional?
Neither is better for everyone. Thin lids with little fat suit sutures; heavier lids need an incision for a lasting result.
Do I need epicanthoplasty as well?
Only if an inner-corner fold crowds the eye or hides the start of the crease. Many patients do not need it.
How long will I be swollen?
Visible swelling eases over two to four weeks, and the crease keeps softening for around three months.
Can I fly home after a week?
Usually yes, once stitches are out and Dr. Lee has checked healing.
Can I talk to the surgeon in English?
Yes. Consultations are in English, and Dr. Lee herself follows you from consultation to aftercare.