Unlike western eyelid surgery,double eyelid surgery korea is performed in three stages. The first stage is done to create a natural crease on the upper eyelids, while both sides of the eyes are cut to create a smoother look. The second stage is using sutures to close the eyes in a temporary state, where artificial skin and suture materials are grafted onto your upper eyelids to create that double eyelid look you desire. Finally, during the third stage of surgery, all sutures are removed and any remaining scarring is corrected through micropigmentation (pigment tattooing).
In this guide, we review the aspects of Chinese Eyelid Surgery, what age can you get double eyelid surgery in korea, double eyelid vs monolid, and types of asian eyelid surgery.
Chinese Eyelid Surgery
I’ve been thinking a lot about eyelid surgery lately. It’s not because I’m considering having it done myself—I’ve got no plans in that department. But there are so many Asian-American women in my life who have had their monolids removed and creases created, and I can’t help but wonder what it means for them to opt for this procedure.
I was born in Hong Kong and moved to the United States when I was three years old. My parents were both doctors at the time and spent most of their time working as residents at different hospitals around New York City. They were busy all the time, so they left me with my grandparents back home when they weren’t at work or sleeping (those sleep-deprived days of residency). Having a couple of generations between me and the United States made it easy for me to maintain my Chinese identity even after moving here; English wasn’t spoken very much at home during those early years because we didn’t live near any other Chinese people besides family members like my grandparents.”
It’s pretty simple, really.
First, you need to find a plastic surgeon who does eyelid surgery. If you live in a major city, this shouldn’t be too hard–there are plenty of doctors who specialize in cosmetic procedures and they’ll be happy to talk with you about your options.
Once you’ve found someone, book an appointment and ask them about their experience with Chinese eyelid surgery. They should be able to tell you whether or not they think it will work for your eyes (and if not why), how much time the procedure will take and what kind of recovery time is involved afterwords.
If everything sounds good at this point then go ahead with booking!
You get eyelid surgery.
Eyelid surgery is a simple procedure that can be done under local anesthesia in the office or in the hospital. The procedure takes about an hour, and you can go home the same day.
You will want to discuss with your doctor what type of anesthesia would be best for you. Sometimes general anesthesia is used, but often it’s not necessary because local anesthesia alone can be used effectively to numb your eyelids during this procedure.
You have the surgeon remove your monolid and create a crease that has a single eyelid.
- You have the surgeon remove your monolid and create a crease that has a single eyelid.
- The procedure is done under local anesthesia and takes about one hour.
- The surgeon will make a crease in the eyelid and also remove excess skin and fat from your eyelid.
- The incision is closed with stitches, which will be removed after about one week or so.
Chinese women have been doing it for decades.
The procedure is common in China and other Asian countries. It’s also gaining popularity among Asian Americans, who now make up a large chunk of Dr. Chen’s clientele.
Dr. Chen performs eyelid surgery under local anesthesia and has found that his Western patients are often surprised by how quick and painless the process is compared to their expectations–even though it can take up to two hours or more for him to complete the operation (depending on its extent).
Now, more Asian-Americans are following suit.
Eyelid surgery is just one of many procedures that people are getting to make themselves look more “Western.”
“It’s pretty common for Asians to want to get their eyelids done, but it’s not always talked about,” says Dr. John Paul Tutela, an oculoplastic surgeon in New York City who specializes in Asian patients. “They come from all over the world–China, Korea, Japan.”
In fact, he says he sees more Asian-Americans than ever before coming into his office requesting eyelid surgery: “There’s been a huge increase over the last five years.”
So why is it such a big deal?
So why is it such a big deal? The eyes are associated with beauty, intelligence, spirituality and culture. They’re also a symbol of ethnicity and tradition.
The answer is complicated and more personal than you might expect.
The answer is complicated and more personal than you might expect. While eyelid surgery has become increasingly popular in China, it’s not just about beauty–it’s also about identity and self-esteem.
Many Chinese people feel that they need to get their eyes done in order to fit in with their community, especially if they want to succeed professionally. In some cases, this pressure comes from other people who have had the procedure done themselves; others feel it internally because they want so badly for their peers’ approval (and maybe also because they think their own parents will be disappointed if they don’t).
There are also those who decide on their own that an eye lift would make them happier overall; these individuals usually have higher self-esteem than those who go under the knife purely because of peer pressure or parental expectation
Tradition aside, the eyes are associated with everything from beauty to intellect, according to feng shui philosophy.
In feng shui philosophy, the eyes are associated with everything from beauty to intellect. The Chinese believe that the eyes can tell a lot about a person’s health, luck and wisdom.
In fact, many people in China have eyelid surgery done because they want their eyes to appear larger–and therefore more beautiful and wiser–in accordance with this belief system.
As an ethnic marker, the eyes are also a representation of one’s ethnicity.
The eyes are also a representation of one’s ethnicity. As an ethnic marker, the eyes are often a part of the overall look that makes someone appear like they’re from a certain culture or ethnicity. Asian eyes are usually smaller and narrower, shaped like an almond and have a “double eyelid”–a crease in the upper lid that creates two lines when you open your eyes all the way up (this is different than monolids which have no visible crease).
Asian people may also get eyelid surgery to make their eyes look more Westernized if they want to fit into Western society better or just change how they look altogether. Eyelid surgery can be done on both monolids and double lids so long as it’s performed properly by an experienced surgeon who knows what he/she is doing!
For first-generation Asian Americans like me, some questions about the motivation for getting plastic surgery may be misaligned with our reality as people bridging two cultures.
For first-generation Asian Americans like me, some questions about the motivation for getting plastic surgery may be misaligned with our reality as people bridging two cultures. For example, many people get eyelid surgery because they want to fit in with their peers or because they feel like they are being judged for not having a crease. However, these kinds of motivations can only be understood from an American perspective; when you come from another culture and have been taught that your appearance is acceptable in its own right, these reasons don’t make sense.
In China, there is no stigma associated with having flat eyelids–in fact, many people aspire to have this feature because it’s seen as more beautiful and feminine than round or hooded eyes (which are considered masculine). In addition to this cultural difference between Asia vs America regarding beauty standards based on facial features such as eye shape or nose size/shape/profile etc., there’s also cultural variation within America itself depending on where someone lives–for example Southern California vs New York City where there might be different expectations regarding what constitutes “beauty” among different racial groups there too!
what age can you get double eyelid surgery in korea
Double eyelid surgery has become one of the most common procedures done, especially on Asian women. There is a trend to improve one’s eye appearance since the eyes are considered as the windows to the soul. The eyes can convey a lot of emotions, even before other facial features can. Having no eye crease can mistakenly show people the wrong emotions and give you struggles in vision as well as makeup application. This is where a double eyelid surgery can fix the problem, by creating something that makes the eye brighter and more youthful.
What is Double Eyelid Surgery?
Double eyelid surgery, also called Asian blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure on the upper eyelid, which creates a crease. This procedure is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in Asia, together with Rhinoplasty. This is because an estimated 50% of Asians only have monolids, meaning they do not have an upper eyelid crease.
Through this plastic surgery procedure, the eyes look bigger, younger, and much more attractive. This kind of surgery is not only meant for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes. This can also improve medical conditions like hooded eye syndrome.
Benefits of Double Eyelid Surgery
Undergoing a double eyelid can give you a lot of benefits, aesthetically and medically. Some of the benefits of this procedure include:
For whom is Double Eyelid Surgery most recommended?
Double eyelid surgery can be done to anyone who is in good physical and mental health and with realistic expectations regarding the results of the operation. This surgical procedure for the eyelid is most recommended for the following:
The double Eyelid Surgery procedure
Double eyelid surgery procedures are done for a duration of 30 minutes to an hour. Twilight anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation is used for this surgical procedure. The patient is required to stay in the clinic for about 1-1.5 hours after the surgery for additional after-treatment medications. It takes 3-4 weeks for the area to look normal, while the full set will take place within 6-9 months from the day of the surgery. The steps of double eyelid surgery are as follows:
Double Eyelid Surgery recovery time
After the blepharoplasty procedure, you will be required to stay in the hospital for a couple of hours since you need to regain your strength and also receive after surgery care and medications. There will possibly be pain, swelling, and redness in the operated area, but your doctor will prescribe you pain medications to ease the discomfort. Just like all upper eyelid surgeries, it will take about two weeks for the bruising and swelling to subside.
It will be during the two-week mark when your eyes will begin to look normal, and you will be able to see the results of the procedure. At this point, to aid in faster recovery, it is highly advised that you veer away from too much sun exposure. If you must go under the sun, make sure to wear dark sunglasses to protect your eyes not only from the sun but also from wind and dust.
It is also a must that you avoid drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes at least for four weeks from the day of your surgery, as this may cause hindrance to proper healing. Strenuous activities are to be avoided for at least one week to prevent straining. Also, you are highly encouraged to eat a lot of healthy food and get enough rest so that your body will be able to heal itself faster.
Double Eyelid Surgery before and after
The procedure’s result brings about a more visible eyelid crease and makes the eyes look brighter. In the before and after pictures below, the patient’s appearance looks more polished and pleasant to look at. Not only is the crease visible, but also the eyelashes, which adds to the improvement of the whole new look.
To conclude, an eyelid surgery that is also known as Asian blepharoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure that deals with creating an eyelid crease for those who do not have any or those who have hooded eyes. The procedure can bring about several benefits aesthetically and medically, which you can enjoy for years or even a lifetime.
The procedure can range from a duration of 30 minutes to an hour, with the final results beginning to be visible at three months. When it comes to the recovery, it only takes two to three weeks for significant swelling and bruising to heal. It also does not require an extended downtime as long as you strictly follow after-care instructions for a faster and smoother recovery.
In Korea, all clinics offer a double eyelid surgery procedure. However, for a successful and safe surgery, it is a must that you make sure to go to a certified plastic surgeon who has vast experience in eyelid surgery. For the top clinics and surgeons in South Korea who perform this surgical procedure, contact us through the Seoul Guide Medical website. We are always ready to cater to your plastic surgery needs.
FAQ:
It takes one to two weeks for significant swelling and bruising to subside and for your eyelids to look normal after having double eyelid surgery. After three months, your eyelids will have healed completely, and the results are much more visible.
The results of double eyelid surgery are not permanent because your eyes will continue to age. It can, however, last for five to seven years. In rare instances, some people enjoy the results for a lifetime.
Yes, double eyelid surgery can open up the eyes and make it appear bigger. This is why most Asians have this surgery because they dominantly have slim, small eyes that people sometimes mistake for looking tired, angry, or uninterested.
double eyelid vs monolid
Both monolids and double eyelids are naturally occurring types of eyelids. Whether or not a person has a monolid or a double eyelid primarily comes down to genetics, although several other factors, including certain medical conditions, can play a role in the appearance of a double eyelid or monolid.
What is a Double Eyelid?
A double eyelid is an eyelid shape that has a crease in it, giving it the appearance of two eyelids. This feature is typical of many ethnicities, including Caucasian, Middle Eastern, African and Asian. Double eyelids are a dominant gene, meaning they are more common than the monolid gene.
Some double eyelids are very defined. This is particularly common in people with deep-set eyes. Other double eyelids may have a minimal crease that is only slightly visible.
Most people have double eyelids due to their genetics. Other reasons someone may have double eyelids or what appear to be double eyelids include:
Double eyelids may become more pronounced over time due to aging. As the skin around the eyes loses its elasticity and relaxes, the double eyelid may even develop into a hooded eye.
Double eyelids are natural and generally do not cause any health issues for people. However, when the upper eyelids droop or sag, they may begin to affect the vision.
Drooping or sagging double eyelids can sometimes cause:
The issues listed above are more common in older people with double eyelids, although the same problems can occur due to specific cosmetic procedures and diseases.
What is a Monolid?
Unlike a double eyelid, a monolid eyelid has no crease. Monolids are common in people of East Asian descent. However, it’s possible for people of any race or ethnicity to have a monolid, especially if they have elongated or almond-shaped eyes.
Conversely, not all people of Asian descent have monolids. Researchers estimate that roughly 50% of Asian people have monolids.
Monolid eyelids are sometimes confused with hooded eyes, as the two can appear similar. But as opposed to having no crease, hooded eyes have creases that are covered by the excess skin directly under the brow bone folding over the upper eyelid, much like a hood.
Monolids should also not be confused with ptosis. Ptosis occurs when the upper eyelids begin to sag over time due to the supporting muscles losing strength. Ptosis can also be caused by eye injuries, diseases and neurological problems.
A monolid can be transformed into a double eyelid through double eyelid surgery. But, as the procedure is often used for cosmetic purposes, insurance typically does not cover it.
Double eyelid surgery can also be used to treat the following:
The procedure, known as blepharoplasty, was developed in 1896 by Japanese surgeon M. Mikamo, who saw the double eyelid as a more attractive feature than the monolid.
Which Type of Eyelid is Attractive?
A harmful belief exists that double eyelids are more attractive than monolids. This belief is unfounded and is largely due to Eurocentric beauty standards and a lack of representation of East Asian features in Western media.
In reality, neither eye shape is inherently attractive or unattractive. The only remarkable difference between the two is that makeup techniques that suit a double eyelid may not be as easily achieved on a monolid. But the opposite is also true.
For decades, eyelid surgery has been popular in many East Asian countries. The aim of the surgery is to create an artificial eyelid crease to mimic the appearance of a double eyelid. The procedure is still one of the top cosmetic procedures in Eastern Asia today. However, views on the monolid are changing.
In recent years, people with monolids have begun embracing the feature, with beauty influencers offering insights and tutorials that celebrate monolids as a unique and beautiful feature. Representation of the monolid in the beauty industry has also increased, showcasing the fact that the monolid can be just as desirable an attribute as a double eyelid.
types of asian eyelid surgery
There are minimally invasive double eyelid surgery to more invasive double eyelid surgery that is offered at Dream Medical Group in Los Angeles. The surgery is for both men and women and all of these various types of double eyelid surgery are safe and effective ways to create a double eyelid fold. The surgeries are customized for specific patients and they are cost-effective ways to create a natural-appearing double eyelid fold.
Dr. Kenneth Kim offers all types of double eyelid surgery to give an ideal double eyelid fold to bring balance and beauty to the face. Depending on the type of double eyelid surgery needed, the procedure typically takes between 15 minutes to 1.5 hours to perform.
What Are All The Different Types of Double Eyelid Surgery?
Double eyelid surgery can be broken down into 2 main types. One is a non-cutting or suture method. The other is cutting or open method double eyelid surgery. There is also partial incision double eyelid surgery. This is essentially cutting only the central part of the eyelid, but not excising any excess skin.
In the office of Dr. Kenneth Kim, MD, FACS, Dr. Kim offers all types of double eyelid surgery. He will examine your unique eyes and determine which method will be the most optimal for you to achieve your goal of having beautiful double eyelid folds or creases.
Contact us today to learn which type of double eyelid surgery is right for you in order for you to have your ideal Asian eyelids today!
Why are there different types of double eyelid surgery?
The reason for different types of double eyelid surgery has to do with a patient’s anatomy. If the patient does not have any excess skin, then a non-incision double eyelid surgery can be performed. However, if there is excess skin that has to be removed, then an incision double eyelid surgery should be performed. One may think that only older patients have excess skin. However, it is not uncommon for young patients to have excess upper eyelid skin hooding. In these patients, if the excess skin is not removed, then the double eyelid fold will appear too small. In addition, the double eyelid fold can loosen over time.
Another reason for different types of double eyelid surgery has to do with the healing time and scarring after surgery. The minimally invasive non-incision double eyelid surgery will typically heal faster than the cutting method. Furthermore, the non-cutting method double eyelid surgery will look natural as there are no incisions that are made.
Suture Technique Double Eyelid Surgery
Suture technique, or non-incision double eyelid surgery came to practice 20 years ago. This method was, and still is, a popular method to create double eyelids. The popularity of this method is because the surgery is quick, less expensive than the traditional incision method, and does not leave any scars. This method is ideal for patients who do not have any eyelid ptosis (drooping) and for those who do not have any excess skin.
The surgery is performed by making small stab or pin-prick incisions. Fat in the eyelid can be removed from one of these small openings in patients with fatty or puffy eyelids. Then, a permanent nylon suture can be passed from the skin to the deeper layer of the eyelid. There are various patterns and amounts of the passing of sutures that can be done. In general, the more the sutures are passed from the skin to the deeper layer of the eyelid, the stronger the double eyelid fold will be. One of the negatives of the suture technique or the stitched, non-cutting double eyelid surgery is that the double eyelid fold can loosen over time. The fold loosening occurs because of the permanent suture tears or cheese-wire through the eyelid skin. The effect is that the double eyelid fold will appear small or the fold will completely disappear.
The recovery process takes about 1-3 weeks. The stronger the double eyelid fold is made, the longer the recovery will be. If you would like to see if you would qualify for a non-incision suture method double eyelid surgery, then make a call to Dr. Kim’s office at Dream Medical Group.
Dr. Kenneth Kim is an expert in this method of minimally invasive double eyelid surgery and a trademark holder for a three-dimensional suture technique (3DST) double eyelid surgery.
Incision (Open) Double Eyelid Surgery
In Dr. Kenneth Kim’s practice, he also performs incision double eyelid surgery. This method of surgery involves cutting the eyelid skin. The advantage of this method is that you can excise any excess eyelid skin that is hooding over. In addition, you can take out or insert fat, as needed, for eyelid volume adjustment. Lastly, you can perform complex or advanced eyelid ptosis correction though this open approach.
As you can see, incision or open method double eyelid surgery is a versatile method to create a double eyelid fold or crease. However, one of the negatives of this surgery has been the visible scar on the double eyelid fold itself! A visible scar can show when the patient closes her or his eyes as the suture is firmly fixed to the deeper layer of the eyelid. The good news is that Dr. Kenneth Kim from Dream Medical Group created a method where there is minimal visible scar after making an incision on the eyelid. The advanced method of incision double eyelid surgery is truly revolutionary in that all patients can now have the ideal double eyelid fold and crease without worrying about having a scar! Furthermore, the result should last many years without having to worry about the double eyelid fold loosening!
Am I A Candidate for Suture Technique Double Eyelid Surgery?
The best way to tell if you are a candidate for a suture method double eyelid surgery is by seeing Dr. Kenneth Kim, who is a board-certified plastic surgeon for a private consultation. Dr. Kim will apply a curved wire on your eyelid and see if a double eyelid fold can be made. If a fold can be made and it says in place for more than a few seconds, then you can qualify for the non-incision method double eyelid surgery. Another important factor if you do not have any excess eyelid.
If you have excess eyelid skin, then the double eyelid fold will be covered and the fold will appear smaller than ideal height. The last way to determine whether you are a candidate for non-cutting double eyelid surgery is by applying tape or glue on your eyelids. For Asian patients who have successfully applied tape or glue on their eyelids are a good candidate for this stitch method double eyelid surgery. These patients have relatively thinner eyelid skin and have good eyelid elevating muscle (levator muscle) to lift and make the double eyelid crease. Before the creation of the three-dimensional suture technique double eyelid surgery, a patient having eyelid ptosis was a contraindication for a suture method double eyelid surgery. However, now with this 3DST method, eyelid ptosis can be corrected without making an incision.
Consultation
Dr. Kim will ask questions about your ideal eyelid shape and inquire about any specific eyelids you may have in mind. Patients are encouraged to bring photos of their favorite celebrities with their dream double eyelids! Dr. Kim will then thoroughly examine your eyelids. He will first check for your eyelid skin to see if you have any excess eyelid skin hooding.
Then, Dr. Kim will check for any pre-existing double eyelid fold or creases. He will also check for eyelid asymmetry. Lastly, Dr. Kim will ask you to open your eyes with a normal gaze and with a maximal opening. This is to check for your eyelid muscle strength to see if you have any eyelid ptosis or not.
Afterwards, Dr. Kenneth Kim will show you various types of double eyelid folds. He will also show you individuals who may look similar to you. By showing before and after photos of people who look similar to you and your eyelid, you will be able to determine how your eyes will transform.
At this point, you and Dr. Kim will discuss which method of double eyelid surgery will be right for you. He will offer his professional medical opinion and you will have the chance to ask questions about the pros and cons of each method.
Lastly, Dr. Kenneth Kim will show you videos of the recovery process. This way you will know how you will heal and how long the recovery process will take. In addition, he will show you high definition videos of the patients’ eyelids and what the scar will look like once it is fully healed. By seeing actual patient results for yourself, you will feel confident that Dr. Kim will perform naturally appearing double eyelid surgery!
Procedure
The duration of the double eyelid surgery depends on the type of surgery that the patient will undergo. For a non-cutting or non-incision suture method double eyelid surgery, the procedure typically takes about 15-20 minutes. For the incision or cutting double eyelid surgery, the procedure takes about 1-1.5 hours.
In the preoperative room, Dr. Kenneth Kim will mark where the double eyelid fold should be. For patients with excess skin, Dr. Kim will determine how much skin should be removed. All these areas are marked with a marking pen. In order to prepare for the double eyelid surgery, the entire face is sterilized. A local anesthetic is injected into the eyelid. Once the eyelid area is numb, Dr. Kim will pass the sutures through the skin and the deeper layer of the eyelid to create the fold.
In patients with excess skin, Dr. Kim will also remove the excess skin. In patients with excess eyelid fat or patients with puffy eyelids, Dr. Kim will also remove some eyelid fat. For patients with eyelid ptosis, ptosis repair is also performed at this time. Next, the incision will be closed with nylon sutures.
Immediately, you will notice a newly created double eyelid fold. Of course, your eyelids will be swollen. Therefore, it will be slightly more difficult for you to raise your eyes fully.