Asian Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Many people of Asian ancestry experience pronounced drooping of the eyelids and seek eyelid surgery to modify their appearance. About 50 percent of all Asians are born without a fold in the upper eyelid. These types of eyelids tend to have thicker skin and larger fat deposits than eyes with upper eyelid folds. Asian eyelid surgery, in addition to the usual blepharoplasty procedure, includes adding a fold to the upper eyelid to give the eyes a larger, rounder appearance.

What is Double Eyelid Surgery?

Asian double eyelid surgery is a specialized procedure that can change the appearance of the upper eyelid. Many people of Asian descent are born with a “single eyelid” – an upper eyelid that lacks a crease. The goal of Asian blepharoplasty is to create an upper eyelid fold ( double eyelid) through a quick and relatively simple plastic surgery procedure.

People of Asian descent who wish to undergo eyelid plastic surgery often bring to the surgeon unique and highly-individualized aesthetic characteristics with which to work. Since the size and shape of the eyelids, eye area, and nose of Asians and Asian-Americans are by and large different from those of Caucasians, Asian eye surgery takes into account these differences.

The Asian Blepharoplasty Procedure

Asian blepharoplasty is a relatively simple and quick plastic surgery procedure that involves removing a tiny bit of excess skin, some under-skin tissue, and a tiny amount of fat pads. The procedure itself is similar to conventional upper eyelid surgery. However, Asian double eyelid plastic surgery requires the surgeon to have intimate knowledge of where to make the incisions, how much tissue and fat to remove, and where to place the crease.

The majority of Asian blepharoplasty procedures are done as outpatient surgery, so most patients can return home the day of their procedure.

Recovery and Results

For the first few days after the Asian double eyelid surgery, the new crease will most likely look a bit higher than where one would imagine it should be. However, over the course of the next month or two, the crease will settle into the location the surgeon intended it to.

While some swelling, bruising, and discoloration can be expected for the week or so after the Asian blepharoplasty procedure, following the surgeon’s post-operative directions for eyelid surgery recovery will minimize these side effects and help the eyelids heal quicker.

Search Facial Plastic Surgeons in Your City

Finding a surgeon who is familiar with the Asian blepharoplasty procedure and who can answer the questions you have about the surgery is an important first step on your journey toward achieving the look you want. Explore DocShop's online directory to find a facial plastic surgeon in your area who performs Asian double eyelid surgery.