Double Eyelid Surgeryin Gangnam, Seoul
Double eyelid surgery forms or defines a crease on the upper eyelid, and can be tailored with several methods — non-incision (buried suture), partial-incision and incision — plus options such as ptosis correction and corner-widening (epicanthoplasty and canthoplasty). At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, the method is chosen to fit your eyelid thickness, skin and goals, under local anesthesia with optional light sedation. (Results vary by individual.)
Who it’s for
- A monolid, or a faint, uneven or partial crease you would like defined
- A crease that varies day to day or has faded over time
- A sleepy-looking eye that may also involve mild ptosis
- Those revising an earlier eyelid result (assessed individually)
The right method — and whether ptosis correction or corner-widening is added — is decided after an eye assessment at consultation.
How it works
A double-eyelid crease forms where the skin is anchored to the deeper lid structures. In the non-incision (buried suture) method, fine sutures are passed through small puncture points to create that anchoring without a long cut, which suits thinner lids with little excess skin and generally recovers faster, though the crease can loosen over time. The partial-incision method uses a few small openings for slightly fuller lids. The incision method opens along the planned crease to adjust skin, muscle and fat and set a more durable line, suited to thicker lids or excess skin. Ptosis correction adjusts the lid-lifting muscle for a sleepy eye, while epicanthoplasty (medial) and lateral or lower canthoplasty adjust the eye corners. Revision is assessed individually.
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01A crease is an anchor point
A double-eyelid crease forms where the skin is anchored to the deeper lid structures; the surgery creates or reinforces that anchoring.
02Non-incision, partial or full incision
Non-incision (buried suture) passes fine sutures through small punctures — suited to thinner lids, with faster recovery, though it can loosen over time. The incision method opens along the crease to adjust skin, muscle and fat for a more durable line; partial-incision sits in between.
03Optional ptosis correction
Where a sleepy-looking eye involves mild ptosis, the lid-lifting muscle can be adjusted at the same time.
04Optional corner adjustment
Epicanthoplasty opens the inner corner and lateral or lower canthoplasty adjusts the outer or lower corner. Performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation.
Treatment areas
- Non-incision (buried suture)
- Fine sutures create the crease without a long cut; faster early recovery, though the line can loosen over time.
- Partial-incision
- A few small openings, for slightly fuller lids that want more durability than a buried line.
- Incision
- A crease-line incision to adjust skin, muscle and fat for a more durable line; suits thicker lids or excess skin.
- Ptosis correction
- Adjusts the lid-lifting muscle for a sleepy-looking eye with mild ptosis.
- Corner adjustment
- Epicanthoplasty and lateral or lower canthoplasty widen the eye at the corners; revision is assessed individually.
What the procedure is like
- 1Consultation, eye assessment and design of the crease and eye shape
- 2Local anesthesia (with optional light sedation)
- 3Chosen method — buried sutures, or a partial or full crease incision
- 4Added steps as planned — ptosis correction or corner-widening
- 5Closure where incised, recovery and aftercare guidance
Time: The procedure takes about 30–60 minutes depending on the method and any added steps.
Recovery & aftercare
- Performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation; you can usually go home the same day.
- The non-incision method has no long external wound and recovers faster; incision and partial-incision methods use fine sutures usually removed at about 5–7 days.
- Swelling and possible bruising are greater with incision methods, easing over about 1–2 weeks, while the line settles over a few months; cold compresses and head elevation help.
- Side effects such as swelling, bruising, asymmetry, a crease that loosens, or scarring may occur and are explained at consultation.
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0 Surgery day
Performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation; you usually go home the same day.
DAY 1-3 Swelling & bruising
Swelling and possible bruising are usually most noticeable now, and greater with incision methods; cold compresses and head elevation help.
DAY 5-7 Suture removal
For incision and partial-incision methods, fine sutures are typically removed at about 5–7 days; the non-incision method has no external sutures.
WEEK 1-2 Settling
Much of the visible swelling eases over one to two weeks, though the line can still look higher or fuller than it will finally sit.
1-3 MONTHS Crease settles
The crease continues to soften and settle over a few months; a buried-suture line can loosen over time. (Results vary by individual.)
Sessions & results
This is usually a single procedure. Early swelling settles over about 1–2 weeks and the crease continues to soften and settle over a few months; a buried-suture line can loosen over time and may be revised later. (Results vary by individual.)
How it compares
These are the main methods of double eyelid surgery. They differ in how the crease is set, so the right one depends on your eyelid thickness and skin. This is not a ranking.
| Comparison | Non-incision (buried) | Partial-incision | Incision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Buried sutures, no long cut | A few small openings | Full crease-line incision |
| Best for | Thinner lids with little excess skin | Slightly fuller lids wanting more durability | Thicker lids or excess skin |
| Anesthesia | Local, sometimes with light sedation | Local, sometimes with light sedation | Local, sometimes with light sedation |
| Recovery | Faster; no external sutures | Sutures ~5–7 days | Sutures ~5–7 days; more swelling |
| Longevity | Can loosen over time | More durable than a buried line | A more durable line |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary swelling and bruising, greater with incision methods
- Asymmetry, or a crease that sits unevenly
- A buried-suture line that loosens or fades over time
- Tightness or brief difficulty closing the eyes fully early on
- Scarring with incision methods, or rarely a small suture-related bump
When to take extra care
- Bleeding disorders or blood-thinning medication — tell your doctor
- A history of significant dry eye or thyroid eye disease
- A tendency to keloid or difficulty with wound healing
- Smoking, which can affect healing
- Unrealistic expectations, or a revision of previous eyelid surgery
Whether double eyelid surgery, and which method, suits you is confirmed at consultation. Effects and downtime vary by individual, and side effects may occur.
Your care at QD Clinic
Performed by a board-certified surgeon
Your surgery is performed and medically reviewed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Individualized surgical planning
The method — buried, partial or full incision, and whether to add ptosis correction or corner adjustment — is chosen for your eyelid and goals.
Care in your language
Consultation in English, with 中文 and 日本語 support arranged on request — including questions before you travel.
A short walk from Gangnam Station
Central Seoul location with guidance from the airport and nearby hotels, and hours shown in KST.
Pricing
Pricing depends on the method and any added steps. Please consult us for a personalized quote.
Frequently asked questions
Non-incision suits thinner lids with little excess skin and recovers faster, while the incision method suits thicker lids or excess skin and gives a more durable line. The right method is decided after an eye assessment. (Results vary by individual.)
A buried-suture line can loosen or fade over time, especially in heavier lids; it can be revised later. Durability is discussed at consultation.
It adjusts the muscle that lifts the eyelid, for a sleepy-looking eye with mild ptosis, and can be combined with crease surgery when appropriate.
Epicanthoplasty opens the inner corner, and lateral or lower canthoplasty adjusts the outer or lower corner to widen the eye; whether they suit you is decided at consultation.
It is usually performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation, as discussed at consultation.
The non-incision method recovers faster; with incision methods, sutures come out around 5–7 days and much of the swelling eases over about 1–2 weeks. (Results vary by individual.)
Yes. Our doctors consult in English directly, and 中文 / 日本語 can be arranged in advance. Tell us your language on WhatsApp before your visit.
Often considered together
Treatments that are sometimes planned alongside this one, decided at consultation.
+Upper Blepharoplasty
For older lids where hooding skin also needs removal, upper blepharoplasty can be combined with crease surgery; the plan is decided at consultation.
+Erbium Lower Blepharoplasty
Where the lower lids also show bags or loose skin, treating them can balance the whole eye; sequencing is decided by your surgeon.
+Rhinoplasty
Eye and nose procedures are sometimes planned together for overall facial balance; suitability and timing are decided at consultation.
For international patients
Consultation in English / 中文 / 日本語 · WhatsApp · WeChat · KakaoTalk · a 4-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon / Nonhyeon Station (hours in KST) · card payment.
For International PatientsMedically reviewed by Dr. Sahyeok Hong, board-certified plastic surgeon and Director of QD Clinic.