It is not uncommon for people of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and other North Eastern descents to desire larger looking eyes and more eyelid visibility. Naturally, these individuals tend to have a smaller lid height when compared to those of other backgrounds. The procedure that can help achieve these goals is called double eyelid surgery.

What Is Double Eyelid Surgery?

Double eyelid surgery — sometimes referred to as Asian eyelid surgery, Asian blepharoplasty, or double eyelid blepharoplasty — is a type of facial cosmetic eyelid surgery that creates an additional crease in the upper lid.

The surgery involves make an incision on the upper eyelid and removing excess eyelid skin and excess fat. Sometimes, a small amount of muscle is also removed. The incision is then carefully closed, and the incision line will create a new crease, which gives the patient additional visible eyelid space.

What Do Double Eyelids Look Like?

Double eyelids have a distinct crease that separates the upper eyelid into two sections: the area below the crease that covers the eye and the skin above it. This crease makes the eyes appear larger, more open, and more defined. 

While natural double eyelids come in different shapes and sizes, the surgery aims to create a crease that looks as natural as possible and complements the patient’s unique facial structure.

Why Do People Get Double Eyelid Surgery?

There are several reasons why individuals opt for double eyelid surgery. Some of the most common motivations include:

• Aesthetic preference: Many people simply prefer the look of double eyelids, as they can enhance the overall appearance of the eyes, making them appear larger and brighter.
• Makeup application: Having a defined eyelid crease can make it easier to apply makeup, such as eyeliner and eyeshadow, allowing for more creative styles and a smoother application.
• Asymmetry correction: Some individuals have one single eyelid and one double eyelid or uneven creases, and the procedure can create a more symmetrical look.
• Improved vision: In some cases, excess eyelid skin can droop over the eyes and obstruct vision. Double eyelid surgery can help by removing this excess skin, improving both appearance and functionality.

Double Eyelid Surgery vs Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Patients frequently confuse double eyelid surgery with upper eyelid blepharoplasty. The two are very similar, but they are performed for different reasons.

As stated above, double eyelid surgery is performed primarily on individuals of North Eastern descent, who desire more of an eyelid appearance when their eyes are open. These patients have what’s called a monolid eyelid, and they feel that their eyes don’t open far enough. They would like to have that extra crease above their eyes.

On the other hand, upper eyelid blepharoplasty, or upper eyelid surgery, is usually performed on mature men and women of any descent who have signs of aging on their eyelids and something called ptosis

With that said, surgery on the upper eyelids can be performed on anyone of any age. It’s also not uncommon for younger patients to desire more of a lifted appearance on their upper lids and brow area and to undergo eyelid surgery to achieve that result.

What Is Eyelid Ptosis?

Ptosis is basically a drooping eyelid. It occurs when the upper lids sag, droop, and basically fall over the eye. Patients often find drooping eyelids unattractive on themselves, and they want their eyes to appear brighter and more open.

There’s also the potential for vision complication. Many patients who experience eyelid ptosis struggle to see because their upper lids are actually falling over their line of vision. In these cases, blepharoplasty can sometimes be covered by insurance because the procedure will restore vision and is therefore “medically necessary”.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Double Eyelid Surgery?

Double eyelid surgery is for patients who typically have monolid eyelids and who desire double eyelids with upper eyelid folds. These patients want an added upper lid crease and more space for their upper eyelids. They also typically desire a wider, more open appearing eye.

Patients should not have any major ongoing medical treatments or conditions, and they should be in good health and have realistic expectations. It is ideal when patients are nonsmokers as ceasing smoking is a prerequisite for surgery.

Double Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Double eyelid surgery, or East Asian blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that creates a crease in the upper eyelid, resulting in a more defined and open eye appearance.

The procedure can be performed using two primary techniques: the non-incisional (suture) method and the incisional method. The non-incisional technique involves placing sutures through the upper eyelid to create the desired crease without making external cuts. This approach is less invasive, leading to a quicker recovery, but the results may not be permanent as the sutures can loosen over time. 

On the other hand, the incisional method entails making an incision across the upper eyelid to remove excess skin, fat, or muscle before forming the crease. This technique provides more permanent and dynamic results but requires a longer recovery period and carries risks such as scarring and potential complications if too much tissue is removed.

Double Eyelid Surgery Recovery

Following double eyelid surgery, mild bruising and swelling is common. You should see this significantly reduce in just a few days. Most patients will need to have their sutures removed about one week after surgery.

Before you have Asian eyelid surgery performed, be sure to ready your home by cooking make-ahead meals, buying some healthy snacks, setting up some entertainment, picking up your prescriptions, and readying some comfy clothes and a comfortable space where you can rest and heal.

Be sure to follow your surgeon’s directions for self-care as you recover. You’ll have directions on how to wash your face and care for your incision sites, how to sleep, what to refrain from (exercise, driving, etc.), and when to come in for followup appointments.

Risk and Complications of Blepharoplasty

Like any surgical procedure, blepharoplasty (double eyelid surgery) carries certain risks and potential complications. While the surgery is generally safe when performed by a qualified professional, patients should be aware of the following risks:

Common Risks:

• Temporary vision issue: Patients may experience blurred or double vision shortly after the procedure, typically resolving within a few days.

• Swelling and bruising: Postoperative swelling and bruising are common, usually subsiding within one to two weeks.

• Dry eyes: Some individuals might experience dry eyes or irritation during the healing process.

Serious Risks:

• Difficulty closing eyes: In rare cases, patients may struggle to close their eyes completely during sleep; this condition can be temporary or permanent.
• Scarring: Visible scars can occur, though surgeons typically make incisions along natural eyelid creases to minimize their appearance.
• Ectropion: This rare complication involves the outward turning of the lower eyelid, potentially requiring additional corrective surgery
• Infection and bleeding: As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection or excessive bleeding.

FAQ: Double Eyelid Surgery

Why do Koreans get double eyelid surgery?

In Korean culture, where facial expressions are key to social and professional interactions, monolids can sometimes give a fatigued or less engaging appearance. Double eyelid surgery enhances the eyes’ openness, creating a more energetic and expressive look. This procedure helps individuals appear more approachable and confident in their daily interactions.

Does double eyelid surgery leave scars?

As for the visibility of the incision double eyelid surgery usually leaves a very faint scar just where the new eyelid crease is located. You can see examples of the scars left after this surgery in double eyelid surgery before and after photos. Typically, the eyelid scars are barely visible at all following a double eyelid procedure.

How much does double eyelid surgery cost?

Depending on the geographic location, the surgeon, the patient, and the proposed surgical approach, double eyelid surgery cost can vary widely. You’ll need to set up a consultation appointment if you want a quote for your particular surgery.

Are there double eyelid surgery risks?

Risks come with all types of plastic surgery, including double eyelid surgery. The most common potential complications include bleeding, anesthesia reactions, irritation and dry eyes, infection, and the development of a hematoma.

Fortunately, complications are uncommon following this procedure. Rarely, you’ll hear of a double eyelid surgery gone wrong. But in most of these cases, the surgeon was not adequately skilled or trained, or the patient did not care for their incision sites properly.

Call to Request a Consultation with Dr. Sieber

Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber performs Asian double eyelid surgery and other cosmetic surgery procedures at his San Francisco practice.

He can perform double eyelid surgery on patients with monolids who seek additional eyelid creases. And he can also help patients who want to reduce excess skin and fat on their upper lids to promote a more wide awake and open look.

To find out which procedure would be best for you, please give our office a call today and set up your own personal consultation appointment with Dr. Sieber.

References

1. https://med.stanford.edu/cosmeticsurgery/aestheticservices/face/asian-double-eyelid.html

Despite being one of the best procedures for getting rid of excess fat, liposuction still comes with one drawback: liposuction scars. Fortunately, the good news is that liposuction scars are typically small and heal well. This means they soften and fade nearly to obscurity over time, blending with the skin around them.

We want you to have confidence as you head into your liposuction procedure. If liposuction scars are something you’re concerned about, read ahead to learn more about what they look like, where they’re typically located, and how you can treat them.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure designed to remove stubborn fat deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise. It involves using a thin tube called a cannula to break up and suction out fat from targeted areas such as the abdomen, thighs, arms, back, and chin. While liposuction is not a weight-loss solution, it helps contour and sculpt the body for a more defined appearance.

Does Liposuction Leave Scars?

Yes. One of the least-loved liposuction side effects is scarring. But as stated above, these scars are typically small and well-concealed.

The truth is, no matter what type of invasive surgery you have, if incisions are part of it, scars are inevitable. Liposuction necessitates incisions because your surgeon must have a place to insert their cannulas (a thin tube, which suctions out the fat cells).

What Do Liposuction Scars Look Like?

Liposuction scars come from incisions. They are usually less than a centimeter long. Again, each single incision (which later creates the scar) must be large enough to fit a cannula through. Cannulas are thin tube instruments used by plastic surgeons to agitate and suction out or drain the body of localized fat, so the thinner the cannula, the smaller the incision needs to be.

In addition to being small to begin with, lipo scars are always put where they are least likely to be seen. So, liposuction on the arms, for example, can be performed by making discreet liposuction incisions in the folds of the armpit.

When it comes to liposuction scars stomach scars tend to be some of the most noticeable. This is because we simply don’t have a lot of natural places to hide incisions on the stomach. Surgeons will, however, use the breast creases, belly button, and groin area to locate some stomach liposuction scars, using their long cannulas to reach the central abdominal area.

Furthermore, even when stomach incisions must be placed in more obvious areas, their size and prominence is nowhere near as noticeable as with tummy tuck surgery incisions, for instance.

If you want to see examples of these tiny scars on the stomach area, look up liposuction before and after photos (in particular, liposuction scars before and after photos).

Do Scars From Lipo Go Away?

No scars ever actually “disappear” because the scar tissue that replaced your old normal tissue will always be there.

But can visible scars fade significantly? Absolutely.

In this way, visible scarring can be quite minimal after the healing process for many liposuction procedures. Some patients even say they can’t find their scars anymore.

How Can I Reduce the Appearance of Liposuction Scars?

Although liposuction scars are small, there are steps you can take to ensure they heal as seamlessly as possible:

• Follow Your Surgeon’s Aftercare Instructions: Proper wound care prevents infection and supports better healing.
• Use Scar Treatments: Silicone gels, sheets, and creams can help flatten and lighten scars over time.
• Stay Out of the Sun: UV exposure can darken scars, making them more noticeable. Always use sunscreen if your scars are exposed.
• Massage the Scar Tissue: Gentle massage can improve circulation and break down scar tissue, leading to a smoother appearance.
• Maintain a Healthy Diet: Nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and collagen can support skin healing and tissue repair.

With patience and proper care, liposuction scars typically fade significantly, blending in with your natural skin tone over time.

Factors That Determine Scar Visibility

Liposuction is an effective way to contour the body, but, like any surgery, it can leave scars. The visibility of these scars depends on several factors, which can influence how well the incisions heal. Here are the key elements that determine scar visibility:

Incision size

The size of the incision directly impacts the size of the scar. Liposuction involves small incisions (usually around 2-5 millimeters), and advanced techniques like SmartLipo use even smaller incisions, which results in less noticeable scarring.

Incision Location

Where your surgeon places the incisions also plays a significant role in how visible the scars will be. A skilled surgeon will make incisions in discreet areas, such as under the bikini line, around the navel, or along natural skin folds. This careful placement helps to minimize the visibility of the scar, and ensures that the skin heals without too much tension.

Age and genetics

Your age and genetic factors are important when it comes to how your skin heals. Younger skin generally heals faster, but it may also produce more collagen, which can result in thicker scars. If you have a family history of keloids or hypertrophic scars, you may be more prone to visible scarring after liposuction.

Improper Post-Surgical Care

Proper care of your incisions after surgery is essential for minimizing scarring. By following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions, you can reduce the risk of infection and inflammation.

Discoloration

It’s common for scars to change color during the healing process. Some people experience hyperpigmentation (darker scars) due to sun exposure or inflammation, while others may have hypopigmentation (lighter scars) because of their genetic makeup.

To prevent these discolorations, make sure to protect your scars from the sun and follow your surgeon’s recommendations for scar care.

Scar Removal Treatments

If you notice visible scarring after your incisions have fully healed, there are various treatment options available to help minimize post-surgical scars.

Silicon Gel Sheets

Silicon gel sheets help keep the scar hydrated and create a protective barrier, which can promote healing and reduce its appearance over time. These sheets are easy to use and can be worn under clothing for convenience.

Topical Scar Creams

Scar creams containing ingredients like vitamin E, onion extract, or silicone can help soften and fade scars. Applying these creams consistently can improve the texture and color of scar tissue.

Laser treatment

Laser treatments can effectively reduce the appearance of scars by stimulating collagen production and resurfacing the skin. This procedure is commonly recommended for more noticeable scars that don’t fade on their own.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels remove the outer layers of skin, promoting new skin growth and helping scars blend more naturally with the surrounding area. They are often used for mild to moderate scarring.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure that gently exfoliates the top layer of skin, promoting new skin growth and improving the appearance of scars.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy treatment is commonly used for raised scars and keloids, helping to flatten and soften them over time.

Scar Revision Surgery

For more severe or persistent scarring, scar revision surgery may be an option. This procedure involves surgically removing or altering the scar to create a smoother, less noticeable appearance.

FAQ: Liposuction Recovery and Scars

Do lipo scars ever go away?

While liposuction is one of the most effective treatments for removing excess fat, it does come with one downside: the potential for scarring. The good news, however, is that these scars are usually quite small and tend to heal effectively. Over time, they typically soften and fade, eventually blending seamlessly with the surrounding skin.

What if I develop keloid scars after my liposuction procedure?

Most patients’ chances of developing keloid scars is minimal. However, it does occur, and it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible if you notice keloid scars.

Often, patients who have developed a keloid scar over an incision site after a past surgery (or after a past injury) are more likely to develop keloid scars again. So, if you have ever had one of these thick, raised scars, tell your surgeon about it prior to your fat removal procedure.

Do male liposuction scars look different than female liposuction scars?

No, there’s really no difference in scar visibility for men vs women. In other words, incisions from cosmetic surgery have the same effect on both men and women.

Scar visibility depends more on your skin type and skin quality. Some people simply tend to scar more noticeably than others.

What is the best scar cream for liposuction?

During liposuction recovery, most plastic surgeons will recommend silicone gel sheets or other silicone-based products as the best way to reduce noticeable scar tissue. Silicone gel sheets and similar products must be used consistently for them to be effective.

Do keep in mind that the purchase of these products will be the patient’s responsibility. So, naturally, this should be factored into your overall liposuction cost as you start budgeting for surgery.

Does liposuction leave saggy skin?

If you have a lot of skin laxity (loose skin) to begin with, this may result in saggy liposuction scarring and saggy skin in general after surgery. However, if you have a good plastic surgeon, they will see this potential outcome before your plastic surgery and will probably recommend a different course of action instead of liposuction alone.

If you have loose skin as well as excess fat on your stomach, for example, liposuction may be used alongside a tummy tuck. The tummy tuck can take care of the loose skin, and tumescent liposuction can remove excess fat.

Does BBL surgery leave scars?

Yes. This is because Brazilian butt lift surgery is a surgical procedure that involves liposuction, and scars result from liposuction.

As with any type of lipo, however, the tiny incisions from BBL lipo only need to be large enough to accommodate a thin cannula. Therefore, these incisions usually heal quickly and then flatten out and fade within a few months to a year. In subsequent years, they will fade even more.

Request a Consultation With Dr. David Sieber

To learn more about liposuction scars, liposuction recovery, and the liposuction procedure in general, please contact our office today.

Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber performs liposuction surgery at his San Francisco Bay Area practice and would be happy to meet with you to discuss your options. We look forward to hearing from you!

References

1. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-liposuction-recovery