Double eyelid surgery in Korea — methods, cost, recovery and how to choose a clinic

Eye surgery is the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery in Korea and the procedure most international patients start with. Korean surgeons have refined a large family of techniques for Asian eyelids — from a 20-minute non-incisional double eyelid to combined ptosis correction and canthoplasty — and results are judged by how natural the crease looks, not how big it is.

The main procedures

Non-incisional (buried suture) double eyelid

Small sutures create the crease without a long incision. Suits thin eyelids with little fat, younger patients, and anyone who wants minimal downtime. Fast recovery; the crease can loosen over years in some patients.

Incisional double eyelid

A full incision along the new crease lets the surgeon remove excess skin and fat and fix the crease permanently. Suits thicker or puffier lids, older patients and revisions. Longer swelling, permanent result.

Partial incision

A compromise: short incisions to remove fat while keeping recovery shorter than a full incision.

Ptosis correction (eyelid lift)

Tightens the levator muscle when the lids sit low and the eyes look sleepy. Often combined with double eyelid surgery. This is the step that most changes how "open" the eyes look, and it needs a surgeon experienced in eyelid function.

Epicanthoplasty (inner corner) and lateral canthoplasty (outer corner)

Releases the inner-corner skin fold or extends the outer corner to make the eyes look longer. Usually done together with a crease procedure.

Under-eye procedures

Lower blepharoplasty, fat repositioning for tear troughs, and "love band" (aegyo-sal) filler or fat grafting.

Revision eye surgery

Correcting asymmetry, a crease that is too high, or a loosened crease. Priced higher and best done by surgeons who specialise in revisions.

Cost in Korea

Eye surgery is generally the most affordable surgical category in Korea. A non-incisional double eyelid is the entry point; adding ptosis correction or canthoplasty, or choosing an incisional method, raises the price step by step. Revision surgery is priced separately. The table above shows the range of starting prices entered by clinics on Mimi; ask the clinic what its quote includes (anaesthesia, follow-ups, stitch removal). See the cost guide for what is usually bundled.

Recovery timeline

• Day 0–2: swelling and bruising peak; cold compresses as instructed.
• Day 5–7: stitches removed for incisional methods; most patients fly home after this check.
• Week 2–4: obvious swelling settles; you can wear light makeup after stitch removal heals.
• Month 1–3: the crease softens and looks natural; final shape by around 3–6 months.

Plan about a week in Korea for incisional methods and 3–5 days for non-incisional. See the trip planning guide.

How to choose an eye surgeon

• Ask which method the surgeon recommends for your lid thickness and why — a good surgeon will explain the trade-off between permanence and downtime.
• Look for before & after cases of patients with eyes like yours (monolid, hooded, asymmetric, older skin).
• If your eyes look sleepy, ask specifically about ptosis; adding a crease without correcting ptosis often disappoints.
• Ask about the revision policy for asymmetry.

Korean clinics for Eye procedures on Mimi

Verified clinics on Mimi that list Eye procedures. The descriptions below are written by each clinic on its own procedure pages; open the links for the full page, prices and before & after photos.

Afternoon Plastic Surgery

Eye · Lifting · Treatment4.3(6)94 video consultations

With 20 years of experience in eye surgery and over 10,000 clinical cases, we personally oversee every step—from the initial consultation and surgery to post-operative care.

Eye procedures at this clinic

• Incisional Double Eyelid SurgeryFrom 2,400,000 KRW

  Through a thorough consultation of more than 30 minutes, the patient’s goals are carefully understood. By observing the patient’s eyes over an extended period during the consultation, problematic areas are identified and an appropriate surgical method for improvement is… — from Afternoon Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Kim Karam

• Lower Eyelid Fat RepositioningFrom 3,150,000 KRW

  Rather than removing under-eye fat, fat repositioning is performed. If under-eye fat is removed, the area beneath the eyes may become hollow, and if a hole develops in the fat compartment, the fat may protrude again shortly after surgery, reducing the effectiveness of the… — from Afternoon Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Kim Karam

Questions Afternoon Plastic Surgery answers

• Q. How do I make an appointment for a consultation?

  You can make a reservation by selecting your desired date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The available time slots of the doctor will be displayed, and you may choose your preferred time.

• Q. How much does the surgery cost?

  The cost of surgery varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can be informed of the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be checked on each procedure detail page.

See Afternoon Plastic Surgery: all procedures, doctors & reviews

Yerom Plastic Surgery

Eye · Nose · Lifting · Treatment5.0(1)99 video consultations

Meticulous and delicate surgery by a female board-certified plastic surgeon with 25 years of experience, supported by a comprehensive safety system

Eye procedures at this clinic

• Double Eyelid Surgery

  Surgery to create a double eyelid crease on the upper eyelid (including various techniques like burial, natural adhesion, incision, etc.) — from Yerom Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Minhwa Na

• Lower Eyelid Fat Removal

  Removes excess fat beneath the eyes to reduce puffiness and create a smoother, more refreshed appearance. — from Yerom Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Minhwa Na

Questions Yerom Plastic Surgery answers

• Q. What materials are used during nose surgery?

  Our hospital uses only autologous tissue from your own body. As for foreign material, except for silicone for the nasal bridge, we use only ear cartilage, septal cartilage, and autologous rib cartilage.

• Q. Is functional rhinoplasty possible when having nose surgery?

  If you have breathing discomfort due to rhinitis or a deviated septum, it can be improved at the same time as the cosmetic procedure.

See Yerom Plastic Surgery: all procedures, doctors & reviews

Luho Plastic Surgery

Eye · Nose · Fat · Lifting4.9(824)99 video consultations

Honest plastic surgery, expert care.

Eye procedures at this clinic

• Incisional Double Eyelid SurgeryFrom 2,500,000 KRW

  - One-line summary: Ruho Plastic Surgery’s incisional double eyelid surgery is suitable for cases with thick skin and abundant fat. - Key advantages: Provides a natural yet defined double eyelid line, improves forehead wrinkles, and creates a more relaxed appearance. — from Luho Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Joonyoung Kim, Yil Park, Sung Jae Wee, Kim Jinkwan, Manage

• EpicanthoplastyFrom 1,000,000 KRW

  - One-line summary: The canthoplasty procedure at Ruho Plastic Surgery lengthens the horizontal dimension of the eyes to create a more open and refreshed eye shape. — from Luho Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: Joonyoung Kim, Yil Park, Sung Jae Wee, Kim Jinkwan, Manage

Questions Luho Plastic Surgery answers

• Q. How can I make a consultation appointment?

  You can make a reservation by selecting your preferred date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The available time slots of the doctor will be shown, and you may choose the time you prefer.

• Q. How much is the surgery cost?

  The surgery cost varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can be informed of the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be found on each procedure’s detailed page.

See Luho Plastic Surgery: all procedures, doctors & reviews

Rewind Plastic Surgery

Eye · Fat · Lifting · Treatment5.0(47)119 video consultations

The moment time turns back, eternal youth perfected through personalized care

Eye procedures at this clinic

• Lower Eyelid Fat RepositioningFrom 800,000 KRW

  - One-line summary: Rewind Plastic Surgery’s septal reinforcement under-eye fat repositioning aims to achieve natural-looking improvement of the under-eye area. — from Rewind Plastic Surgery's procedure page

  Doctors: JongHwan Choi, HWANG SEO YOUNG

Questions Rewind Plastic Surgery answers

• Q. How do I make an appointment for a consultation?

  You can make a reservation by selecting your desired date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The available time slots of the doctor will be displayed, and you may choose your preferred time.

• Q. How much does the surgery cost?

  The cost of surgery varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can be informed of the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be checked on each procedure detail page.

See Rewind Plastic Surgery: all procedures, doctors & reviews

HYUNDAI AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

Eye · Nose · Breast · Body4.7(40)59 video consultations

Hyundai Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Clinic enhances client satisfaction through the aesthetic perfection of plastic surgery.

Eye procedures at this clinic

• Double Eyelid Surgery

  Hyundai Aesthetic Quick Summer Eye is a non-incisional natural adhesion double eyelid procedure that enables rapid recovery with minimal scarring, improving the eyes to a clear and attractive appearance with a natural double eyelid line. — from HYUNDAI AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY's procedure page

  Doctors: Hyundai mihak

• Epicanthoplasty

  This is an eye-shape enlargement procedure that increases the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the eyes to create larger, more open-looking eyes. — from HYUNDAI AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY's procedure page

  Doctors: Hyundai mihak

Questions HYUNDAI AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY answers

• Q. How can I make an appointment for a consultation?

  You can make a reservation by selecting your desired date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The doctor’s available time slots will be displayed, and you may choose your preferred time.

• Q. How much is the surgery cost?

  The cost of surgery varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can receive guidance on the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be checked on each procedure detail page.

See HYUNDAI AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY: all procedures, doctors & reviews

See all Eye procedures clinics