Double eyelid surgery is one of the most popular procedures undertaken in our medical centre, which is unsurprising as most Asians have monolid eyes and often use make up or eyelid tape to create the illusion of double eyelid.
Actually, there are several types of cosmetic eye surgery including blepharoplasty, epicanthoplasty, canthoplasty…
How are these treatments different from each other?
Blepharoplasty for Asians vs Caucasians
- Blepharoplasty for Asians mostly focuses on the upper eyelid, with the addition of the creases, the eyes look bright and alert.
- Blepharoplasty for Caucasians focuses on lower eyelids, this may involve removal of excess skin, muscle and/or fat. Lower blepharoplasty is typically done to address eye bags and/or for improving the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.
Other Types Of Cosmetic Eye Surgery
- Epicanthoplasty (inner eye corner) – Epicanthoplasty can elongate the eyes horizontally to make them look big and wide. It releases and corrects an epicanthal or Mongolian fold, which is located either on the inner corner of the eyes. This procedure is often recommended in conjunction with double eyelid surgery for optimal results.
- Lateral canthoplasty (outer eye corner) – Helps to correct downward sloped outer eye corners.
- Ptosis correction (drooping eyelid) – Certain cases are so bad that the patient’s vision gets impaired. Patients with drooping eyelids are not encouraged to go for double eyelid surgery straight away as the result will only further highlight the droop down shape of the eye. They are advised to undergo ptosis correction to rectify the droopiness first before considering other cosmetic eye procedure.
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How Is It Done?
- Double eyelid surgery (incision method) – Incision method (often called cutting method) is permanent as it involves cutting of skin and removing underlying tissues. The procedure is irreversible and the recovery is slower.
- Double eyelid surgery (suturing method) – Suturing method (often called stitching method) produces long-lasting results but not permanent. The sutures may break, meaning that the crease might disappear, or the crease height may reduce with age as the skin loses its elasticity. However, the procedure is reversible, and you can get an idea of what you’d look like if you opt for the permanent method. Recovery is faster as well.
- Lower eyelid surgery – The incision can be made on the inside of your lower eyelid (transconjunctival incision) or directly underneath your lash line (subciliary incision).
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Any Preparation For A Cosmetic Eye Surgery? What Are The Possible Side Effects And Risks?
Before surgery, communicate your expectations clearly and effectively with your doctor. Swelling is normal after double eyelid surgery, usually up to 1 month, depending on individual. Cooling pad can help to reduce swelling. Pain is minimal. Analgesic will be prescribed. Over time, the swelling will decrease and the crease will appear more natural. Patients are usually advised to refrain from taking a shower within the first 24 hours; this will allow the wound to seal and to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid contact lenses and putting on makeup on the upper eyelid for 2 weeks after the procedure. Heavy exercise such as weight lifting is not recommended for several weeks after the procedure, as elevating your blood pressure can disturb the healing process. No rubbing and no pressing on eyelids.
Your choice of cosmetic surgeons will affect the result of the procedure. Eg: Excessive cutting may cause dry eye. Therefore, always consult a reputable cosmetic surgeon who has performed plenty of double eyelid surgeries to ensure low risk and value for money.
Any Age Limits? Under What Circumstances A Cosmetic Eye Surgery Is Recommended?
- A cosmetic eye surgery is for you if:
i. You’re born with defects, involved in an accident, or aging has taken its toll on your face.
ii. You can’t help but feeling self-conscious and it’s affecting your self-esteem.
iii. You’ve tried various topical products or non-invasive treatments and yet, results are limited. - So long as there is an appropriate anatomical condition to correct, individuals aged 16 years old and above can undergo the surgery. As wounds heal more slowly with age, older adults may expect a slower recovery time after the procedure.
What If I Don’t Want A Surgery? What About Double Eyelid Tapes?
- Surgery can give you more than a crease or a lid. The procedure can remove excess fat to reduce puffiness around the eyes, and most patients opted lower blepharoplasty to remove eyebags. The use of double eyelid tapes and glues simply means you’ll have to remove them every time after use, causing a lot of tugging on your skin, which can cause sagging over time.
- Non-surgical eye bag treatment – If your eye bags are in a less severe form and you prefer a non-invasive treatment, Exilis or Thermage are good option as both require no cutting, no injection or bleeding of any sort. The machines uses radio frequency energy to stimulate collagen growth. Subtle improvements can be seen immediately after treatment and optimum results can be seen after few months (collagen needs time to grow).
Last But Not Least…
Moderation is everything. Even though double eyelid surgery is a common practice nowadays, a little change can make a drastic difference to the whole face. Caucasian-like eyelids will make Asians look quite unnatural. So, the whole idea is not about looking more “Western”, it’s about getting a more alert-looking eyes in your own cultural setting.
