Asian Eyelid Surgery (Asian Blepharoplasty) is as common as kimchi in South Korea. It’s not just a procedure for the rich and famous. Even ordinary students graduating from university receive it as gifts from their parents with the hopes that a better appearance will grant them better job opportunities in the highly competitive job market.
So, I thought to myself, where better to get trained in Asian Eyelid Surgery than Gangnam, South Korea – the heart of the cosmetic surgery scene. Their doctors have perfected the creation of double eyelids using everything from traditional surgery to the very latest non-surgical Double Suture and Twist (DST) technique.
1. Why is the Asian Eyelid Surgery so popular?
Double eyelids are genuinely attractive. It “opens up” the eyes which shows expressiveness, youth, and good health. And every woman with single eyelids knows what a pain applying eye makeup can be! People who do this procedure just want a natural looking crease in their eyelids that enhances their ethnic look.
2. What is the Asian Eyelid Surgery using DST?
I’ve had to correct some misunderstandings during consultations with my patients that the DST can change the structure and shape of their eyes. It doesn’t. Only the skin around the eye is reshaped and creases are formed in the upper eyelid.
3. What are the popular types of double eyelids?
Most of my patients want double eyelids that enhance their natural looks, but I’ve also had a few with unrealistic requests – usually, these are the ones who want someone else’s looks. For example, if you want a crease that’s too high for you, instead of looking awake, you’ll look sleepy because you’ll be struggling to open your eyes fully.
Every face is unique and for the most natural results, I recommend that the double eyelids suit your facial structure. There are two types of double eyelids that are popular among my patients: tapered and parallel.
- Tapered eyelid : Suitable for those with eyes of smaller width and height. It looks good with or without makeup.
- Parallel eyelid: Suitable for those with eyes of bigger width and height. It looks better with eye makeup.
4. What are the common side effects?
Most people get back to daily life right after having a DST but it’s normal to have some swelling, redness and bruising. The peak will be 1 – 2 days after the DST procedure and it will eventually subside within 1 – 2 weeks. If you have allergies, then the recovery period will be longer because of your hypersensitive immune system.
If you get uneven eyelids, don’t worry. This is also a common side effect during the recovery period because the swelling may subside faster in one eye compared to the other. The final eyelid shape will be clear after the recovery period is over.
5. How does fat around the eyes affect the procedure?
The restriction of DST is, it can’t be performed if you have too much fat around the eyes or have sunken eyes. If needed, I will either perform fat extraction or filler/fat injection treatments first before doing the DST.
Sometimes, fat loss happens post-procedure (aging, weight loss, etc) and makes the double eyelids droop. I recommend filler/fat injections treatment to restore the eye area.
Too much fat makes the eyelids heavy, so the eyes look swollen and sleepy
the eyelids heavy, so the eyes look swollen and sleepy
Too little fat makes the eyes look sunken – there is not enough support to plump the skin up.
6. What happens during the procedure?
I mark the shape of the eyelid crease and my patients check it before we begin. They are conscious the whole time because DST only needs a local anaesthetic.
3 tiny punctures are made on the upper eyelid. Then 2 sutures are inserted in and twisted according to the DST technique to form the crease.
It’s a straightforward procedure and takes between 30 – 40 minutes for both eyes. The pain is about 2 – 3 out of 10, depending on individual pain tolerance.
After 1 week… attractive and gorgeous…
7. What factors determine if a patient is a suitable candidate for DST?
If you want to do a DST, there are some factors to consider because DST is not suitable for everyone. During a consultation, I will assess:
- Skin thickness and quality of your eyelids
- Sagginess and fat content of the eye area
- Degree of droopiness
- Presence of ptosis
- Age between 18 – 35 years old
8. How long do the results last?
The results range from 3 years to permanent, depending on how fast your skin ages and sags.
9. What is the after-care like?
The after-care procedure is not too difficult. You need to complete a course of antibiotics and analgesic to relieve the pain and swelling. Avoid smoking, alcohol, eye massage, exercise, and swimming until your recovery period is finished. And no eye makeup or contact lenses for 1 week. Of course, wash your face gently and maintain proper eye hygiene!
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In my years performing the DST, one thing is clear – those South Korean parents got it right. You never get a second chance to make a great first impression. If double eyelids help you to look more attractive and feel more confident, it might be just the boost you need to achieve your goals.
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