Asian blepharoplasty is a popular Asian eyelid surgery. Also called double eyelid surgery, this procedure aims to create a natural-looking upper eyelid crease.

The procedure can be executed either by using an incision or a suture (non-incision) technique to create a double eyelid fold. While most races have this fold, it isn’t present in about half of the Asian population.

In the suture technique, a stitch creates the fold. This noninvasive procedure works well for a very limited patient population. It’s a good solution for those with thin-skinned eyelids who aren’t looking for dramatic, full eyelid height.

The suture technique’s primary challenge is that there is a high incidence of failure and relapse. This is because the eye is an incredibly dynamic structure that opens and closes thousands of times, which weakens the sutures.

ESK Facial Plastic Surgery in New York City also practices a minimally invasive partial incision technique that uses two small incisions (6 to 8 millimeters in length) on each eyelid. This technique, while requiring a slightly longer recovery time than the suture method, creates better attachment and results in a more permanent and dramatic fold with more predictable long-term outcomes.

As with every procedure, patients interested in double eyelid surgery typically have questions about healing time and when they can return to work and social events. The partial incision technique requires just a slightly longer healing time than the suture procedure. Patients choosing the incision technique can expect swelling and bruising to disappear in under two weeks. In comparison, most people who opt for the suture procedure can return to work and social engagements within a week.

We invite you to make an appointment with ESK Facial Plastic Surgery in Manhattan to discuss both techniques and discover which is right for you.

Asian double eyelid surgery is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed on patients of east Asian decent.  This procedure is done to create an upper eyelid crease.  Approximately 50% of east asians, are born without a supratarsal fold (aka double eyelid crease).  

This procedure can be performed using several techniques.  But the major differences in techniques is whether the surgeons approaches this surgery using an incision or a suture technique (non-incision) to create a double eyelid fold.

Below, I have broken down some of the major differences between the two surgical approaches.  

Incisional technique          

Pros: more predictable long-term outcomes, more control to create precise placement of the desired fold, able to address other anatomic factors to the eyelid (such as addressing upper eyelid fat deposits, excess muscle, and redundant upper eyelid skin).

Cons: increased healing time, increased potential for a conspicuous scar,  and irreversible

Non-incision-suture technique

Pros: relative ease of performing the procedure, quick recovery time, reversible

Cons: Unable to address other structures in the eye (redundant skin, fat, or muscle), increased potential for loss of crease over time, increased potential for asymmetry.

In addition to performing both techniques, I also perform a limited incision technique.  The approach I use depends on several factors, including your desired changes, your eyelid anatomy, and your lifestyle.

I welcome you to come in and learn more about the different techniques I perform for asian eyelid surgery, as well as other facial cosmetic procedures.

ESK