Upper Blepharoplastyin Gangnam, Seoul
Upper blepharoplasty addresses excess upper-eyelid skin that can hood the eye and create a heavy, tired look. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, a fine incision is placed within the natural upper-lid crease so it is hidden when the eyes are open; excess skin, and where needed a thin strip of muscle or a small amount of fat, is removed. It is performed under local anesthesia. This differs from double eyelid surgery, which is chosen mainly to form or define a crease. (Results vary by individual.)
Who it’s for
- Excess or hooding upper-eyelid skin that rests on the lashes
- A heavy, tired upper-eye look, often with age
- Skin that can interfere with the line of the eye or with eye makeup
If your main goal is to create or reshape a crease, double eyelid surgery may suit better; the right plan is decided at consultation.
How it works
With age or heavy lids, the upper-eyelid skin can stretch and sag over the lash line. The surgeon marks the natural crease, then removes the measured strip of excess skin through an incision placed in that crease; a thin strip of orbicularis muscle or a small amount of fat may also be removed to lighten the lid. The incision is closed within the crease so the healing line is hidden when the eyes are open. For patients who also want a defined double-eyelid line, that can be planned together, decided at consultation.
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01A measured strip of skin is removed
The surgeon marks the natural crease and removes a measured strip of hooding upper-lid skin through an incision placed in that fold.
02The incision hides in the crease
Because the incision sits within the natural upper-lid fold, the healing line is intended to be hidden when the eyes are open.
03Muscle or fat lightened if needed
A thin strip of orbicularis muscle or a small amount of puffy fat may also be reduced to lighten a heavy lid.
04Local anesthesia, fine closure
It is performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation, and closed with fine sutures within the crease. This differs from double eyelid surgery, which is chosen mainly to form a crease.
Treatment areas
- Hooding upper-lid skin
- Excess skin resting over the lash line, measured and removed.
- Heavy lid muscle
- A thin strip of muscle may be adjusted to lighten the lid.
- Upper-lid fat
- A small amount of puffy fat may be reduced where needed.
What the procedure is like
- 1Consultation, eye assessment and design of the crease line
- 2Local anesthesia (with optional light sedation)
- 3Incision within the natural upper-lid crease
- 4Removal of the measured excess skin, with muscle or fat adjusted as needed
- 5Suture closure within the crease, recovery and aftercare guidance
Time: The procedure takes about 40–60 minutes.
Recovery & aftercare
- Performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation; you can usually go home the same day.
- Fine sutures in the crease are typically removed at about 5–7 days, unless dissolvable sutures are used.
- Expect temporary swelling and possible bruising, with much of it easing within about 1–2 weeks; cold compresses and head elevation help.
- Side effects such as swelling, bruising, asymmetry, tightness or temporary dryness 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 with mild tightness across the upper lids.
DAY 1-3 Swelling & bruising
Swelling and possible bruising are usually most noticeable now; cold compresses and keeping the head elevated help.
DAY 5-7 Suture removal
Fine sutures in the crease are typically removed at about 5–7 days, unless dissolvable sutures are used.
WEEK 1-2 Settling
Much of the visible swelling and bruising eases over one to two weeks, though the lid can feel tight for a while.
1-3 MONTHS Crease settles
The healing line continues to soften and settle over a few months. (Results vary by individual.)
Sessions & results
This is usually a single procedure. Early swelling settles over about 1–2 weeks and the crease line continues to soften and settle over a few months. (Results vary by individual.)
How it compares
These procedures address the upper eye differently, so the right one depends on your goal — removing skin, forming a crease, or lifting the brow. This is not a ranking.
| Comparison | Upper Blepharoplasty | Double Eyelid Surgery | Brow lift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Removes excess hooding skin via a crease incision | Forms or defines a crease (buried or incision) | Repositions a descended brow to lift the upper eye |
| Best for | Excess, sagging upper-lid skin | A monolid or a faint, uneven crease | Heaviness from a low or dropped brow |
| Anesthesia | Local, sometimes with light sedation | Local, sometimes with light sedation | Local with sedation, depending on method |
| Recovery | Sutures ~5–7 days; swelling ~1–2 weeks | Faster for non-incision; ~5–7 days for incision | Varies by method |
| Longevity | Long-lasting; aging continues | Long-lasting for incision; buried can loosen | Long-lasting; aging continues |
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 around the upper lids
- Asymmetry between the two sides, or an uneven crease height
- Tightness or brief difficulty closing the eyes fully early on
- Temporary dryness or irritation
- Scarring; the incision is placed within the crease to be discreet
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
- If your main goal is a defined crease, or a revision after previous eyelid surgery
Whether upper blepharoplasty 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
How much skin to remove, and whether to adjust muscle or fat or add a defined crease, is planned around 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 your anatomy and plan. Please consult us for a personalized quote.
Frequently asked questions
Upper blepharoplasty mainly removes excess, hooding skin to lighten the eye, while double eyelid surgery is chosen mainly to form or define a crease. They can sometimes be combined, decided at consultation.
The incision sits within the natural upper-lid crease, so the healing line is hidden when the eyes are open; healing time varies by individual.
It is usually performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation, as discussed at consultation.
Fine sutures are typically removed around 5–7 days unless dissolvable sutures are used.
Much of the swelling and bruising eases within about 1–2 weeks, while the line continues to settle over a few months. (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.
+Double Eyelid Surgery
Where you also want a defined crease, crease surgery can be planned together with skin removal; the plan is decided at consultation.
+Erbium Lower Blepharoplasty
Addressing the lower lids at the same time can balance the whole eye; sequencing is decided by your surgeon.
+Brow lifting
When heaviness comes largely from a descended brow, lifting the brow may be discussed as an alternative or addition, 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.