Language: English ENGLISH
Book a Consultation

Double Eyelid Surgery

At a glance:

Double Eyelid Surgery

BOOK A CONSULTATION NOW


Summary

Double eyelid surgery, also known as an Asian blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure used to create a natural-looking crease in your upper eyelid. This enhances the definition and appearance of your eyes and can make them look larger and highlight the beauty of their almond shape.

Here at Clinica London, our experienced oculoplastic eye surgeons specialise in Asian double eyelid surgery. Our treatments are perfect for individuals looking for subtle, natural results to enhance their appearance.

What Is Double Eyelid Surgery?

Double eyelid surgery involves carefully creating a visible crease in the upper eyelid. It’s sometimes called an Asian blepharoplasty because it’s a popular cosmetic treatment with many people of Eastern Asian descent. People with no pre-existing crease are said to have ‘monolids’, or a single eyelid. This is the case in about 50% of people of East Asian descent. Creating a crease transforms a single eyelid into a double eyelid, creating a better definition around the eyes and enhancing the overall appearance.

Benefits of Double Eyelid Surgery

Many individuals opt for double eyelid surgery due to the following benefits:

  • Enhanced eye appearance: One of the primary benefits of double eyelid surgery is that it creates a brighter, more attractive open-eye look.
  • Increased symmetry: Eyelids can become unmatched over time, due to skin drooping or sagging. Some patients have a crease in one eyelid but not the other. Other patients have creases that are asymmetric or poorly defined. Double eyelid surgery balances out the eyelids and creates a more symmetrical appearance.
  • Each treatment is personalised: When you book a double eyelid surgery, London-based facility Clinica London will ensure that the procedure is tailored to your individual needs. The results can be as subtle or as pronounced as required. Importantly, we aim to stay true to your natural ethnic appearance.
  • Culturally aesthetic: The double eyelid procedure helps gently complement natural Asian facial features, enhancing a patient’s inherent beauty. Contrary to common belief, double eyelid surgery does not aim to make the Asian eyelid look more ‘Western’. In Asian people who are born with a natural eyelid crease, the crease looks very different to that seen in Caucasian eyelids. Therefore, the aim of double eyelid surgery is to emulate the natural crease of the Asian eye, enhancing the unique beauty and shape of the Asian eyelid.

Talk to a specialist about the possible results and what you want to gain from double eyelid surgery. You will be examined by the oculoplastic (oculofacial plastic) surgeon who will be the surgeon performing your surgery. The oculoplastic specialist has received advanced eye and plastic surgery training and is highly experienced in delicate eyelid surgery. You’ll be given clear expectations around what’s possible and what’s not, so you know exactly what to expect once your procedure is complete.

The Double Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Knowing what to expect when you come for your double eyelid procedure can help you decide whether the treatment is right for you. If you have any questions, the experts at Clinica London are on hand to help.

Consultation

The first step before committing to surgery is to book a consultation with the oculoplastic (oculofacial plastic) surgeon. One aspect of this is to ascertain how you want to enhance your appearance and whether this procedure is the right choice for you. Your eyelid specialist will talk you through the procedure and the predicted final results based on your circumstances. You will be given a half-hour consultation which enables in-depth discussion, examination and planning. No treatment is quite the same, so you have the confidence that the procedure will be tailored entirely to your needs.

You’ll also receive an assessment of your general eye health to ensure you’re a good candidate for surgery. The oculoplastic expert checks at least 16 points of health around your eye, ranging from the margins of your upper and lower lids to existing crease definition. Once you’re both happy with the details, your procedure will be booked at a time that’s convenient for you.

Surgical Techniques

Creation of a double eyelid requires careful measurement and then a skin incision under local anaesthetic. A new fold is created by suturing the skin edge to the deep muscle inside the eyelid. The skin is then carefully closed with a small suture. This gives a permanent result.

Procedure Duration

The procedure typically takes 60-90 minutes, depending on the patient’s individual needs. If the double eyelid surgery is being completed as part of a larger procedure, your treatment may take longer. Your Clinica London oculofacial plastic surgeon will let you know how long you’ll need for your treatment. Double eyelid surgery is carried out in the Clinica London operating theatre as a day case.

Recovery

Recovery from this surgical procedure typically takes two weeks, during which time you will be asked to avoid strenuous activity. Your team at Clinica London will give you all the relevant information on appropriate aftercare. If required, you may be asked to come back after a few days to have sutures removed, and a two-week follow-up might be booked.

Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty) 8

Double Eyelid Surgery in London

If you’re looking for a local facility to receive an Asian blepharoplasty, London is the home of Clinica London. We are a leading provider of double eyelid surgery and offer expertise in multiple cosmetic eye treatments including both Asian blepharoplasty and non-Asian eyelid enhancements. Our London-based clinic combines these cutting-edge surgical techniques with fully personalised care. Our goal is to help every patient achieve their desired results.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Double Eyelid Surgery?

We aim to provide the right treatment for each patient, so it’s important to understand if you’re a good candidate for the double eyelid surgery procedure. Most patients who opt for this treatment will have monolids, or a single eyelid with no crease or a poorly defined crease.

In some cases, this procedure is chosen to balance out the eyelids. If you have a well-defined crease on one eyelid that’s not matched by the opposite side, double eyelid surgery could be the answer.

Whatever the reason for your treatment, it’s critical that you’re in overall good health. You also need to have realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure. These types of treatments don’t dramatically alter your face. Instead, they make subtle changes that draw out your natural beauty.

Self-Care and Recovery Tips

Post-surgery care is critical after double eyelid surgery. Your surgeon will provide ointment to apply to keep the area free of infection. Make sure you use this exactly as prescribed. You should also do your best to keep your eyelid clean and avoid makeup or any skin creams while healing continues. More detailed advice will be given to you after the procedure.

Make sure you attend any follow-up appointments. Your surgeon or the clinical team will want to assess how you’re healing and ensure the results are as expected.

Consultant Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon Miss Michelle Ting is recommended by Clinica London as the eyelid surgeon to do your double eyelid surgery. She is fully trained in Asian blepharoplasty and has the artist´s eye for achieving a natural-looking eye appearance through her delicate surgical skills.

Miss Jane Olver

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Oculoplastic (Eyelid) & Lacrimal Specialist
Medical Director
A dedicated Oculoplastic Eyelid surgeon, blepharoplasty and ptosis specialist

Ms Michelle Ting

Consultant Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Ophthalmologist specialising in oculoplastic (eyelid), lacrimal, orbital and facial surgery.

FAQs About Double Eyelid Surgery

A blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure used to remove excess skin and fat from the eyelids. This is often done to reduce sagging, drooping, or hooded eyelids. While it’s largely thought of as a cosmetic procedure, it can be functional too, improving eyesight and decreasing headaches in some cases. An Asian blepharoplasty is different because it focuses solely on creating that desirable crease in the upper lid, forming a double eyelid.

In the vast majority of cases, the results from the incision method of double eyelid surgery are permanent. 

Downtime for double eyelid surgery is minimal. Most patients find they can return to their normal activities after two weeks. Many return sooner. There will likely be initial small bruising and eyelid swelling that requires a few days to settle, and sutures to remove around one week after surgery. Complete healing may take longer, and your specialist will offer advice on this on a case-by-case basis.

The entire procedure is performed under local anaesthetic so you won’t feel any pain at all during the treatment. While swelling can occur post-surgery, it is not typically very painful. You’ll be provided with appropriate medications to manage this and any associated discomfort.

Wearing makeup can cause irritation, inflammation, or even infection in eyes that have just been through this surgery. Allow your eyes to heal for at least two weeks before using makeup again.

Before surgery, it’s important that you don’t have any blood thinning medications for at least two weeks before the procedure. If this is problematic, you may need to discuss alternative options with your eyelid specialist. Make sure you disclose any pre-existing medical conditions during your initial consultation. You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol during this time period.

After your procedure, there are a few ways you can help your eyes to heal more quickly and thoroughly. Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and to avoid over-sensitivity. You should also avoid strenuous activity for two weeks until your initial healing period has been completed. Finally, don’t completely submerge yourself in water during the healing process. Clean your eyes using the aftercare guide provided by the experts at Clinica London.

Book a Consultation