Last fact-checked: 18 October 2019

Looking at ways to transform your facial appearance with double eyelid surgery? Then you might want to look to South Korea—one of the leading destinations in the world for cosmetic surgery. What's more, international patients, particularly from China, Japan and Australians of Asian descent are making this one of their most favored destinations for this popular surgery.

Around 50% of Asians have single or monolids, rather than double lids which are a typical feature of Western faces. It’s assumed that Asian people are having the procedure done because they want to make their faces more Westernized, but this isn’t necessarily so.

Monolids tend to have a hooded appearance, especially if there is some fatty tissue present, and this can make the eyes look smaller. Having bigger eyes is desirable the world over – and is one of the reasons so many Asian people decide to undergo double eyelid surgery.

Why Have Double Eyelid Surgery in South Korea?

You could say that South Korea has a lot of expertise in this type of surgery. In fact, South Korea has a lot of expertise in cosmetic surgery per se. Not only is it THE medical tourist destination for Chinese and Japanese visitors, but South Koreans themselves are not averse to undergoing plastic surgery procedures themselves; a recent survey put South Korea as having the highest number of cosmetic procedures per capita.

The country is no stranger to beautification and it is noticeable that modern and well-equipped clinics are advertising their services wherever you turn – from the airport to the subway system. In fact, medical tourism is such a big part of the culture that there is even a medical tourism office inside Seoul’s international airport!

Westerners may not yet have cottoned on to South Korea’s many charms, but savvy Japanese, Chinese and Southeast Asian tourists certainly have, and particularly those seeking cosmetic surgery. The government has invested heavily in the infrastructure and South Korea is already on its way to becoming a credible medical tourism location. This is a tech-savvy country and, as you would expect, healthcare facilities are contemporary, high-tech, hygienic and, not least, affordable. Coupled with South Korea’s charming culture, beautiful scenery and fascinating mix of modern and traditional and this is a destination well worth exploring.

Obviously traveling to any new destination is daunting, especially if you are going for surgery. This is where Medical Departures come in. We wouldn’t expect you to book surgery without any background checks, but this is sometimes easier said than done – unless you book with us.

We conduct our own background checks and list relevant information on our site, under each clinic listing. You can see real patient reviews, check doctor qualifications, professional memberships and view high-definition photos. You can also rest assured that part of our process includes checking for legal/criminal records, as well as doing onsite visits. We are so much more than a directory, and if there’s anything you’re not sure about or want to enquire further, then our Customer Care Team is on hand 24/7 to assist you.

This short procedure, also known as blepharoplasty, only takes around an hour, on average. There is no need for an overnight stay in the hospital as you will be given a local anesthetic or light sedation, which means you can go back to your hotel a few hours after surgery. Do factor in more time for your consultation and a short rest before you can head back to your hotel in South Korea. 

Your eyes will feel a little sore and you should expect swelling and bruising which will reach its zenith at about 48 hours. After that, it will subside rapidly, but it will take two to four weeks before it has dissipated completely.

Stitches may be dissolvable, or you may have to have them removed after five to seven days. You will be able to carry out everyday activities after about a week, and if there is still bruising or swelling, if your stitches are gone then you can camouflage with a little makeup.

Strenuous activities, including sports and heavy lifting, should be avoided for six weeks, but it will take three months for the eye tissue to settle down and 6 months to a year for full healing to occur.

In South Korea double eyelid surgery costs around AUD $3,900 (EURO €2,600; UK £2,100; US $3,000; CAN $3,900) compared to Australia where it’s around AUD $8,000 (EURO €5,300; UK £4,200; US $6,000; CAN $7,800).\

These are average estimates; for up-to-date prices, check out three of our most highly-rated facilities for double eyelid surgery in South Korea below:

• The Plus Plastic Surgery
• Ruby Plastic Surgery
• TS Plastic Surgery

Find out more about our South Korean surgeons and compare prices.

Ready to book? See below for ways to schedule your free appointment or contact Customer Care for more information about double eyelid surgery in South Korea.

Sources: 

Competitive culture triggers plastic surgery boom in S. Korea. CBS News. 28 September 2015.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/plastic-surgery-south-korea-obsession-competitive-culture/

Holland, Kimberly. What Monolid Eyes Look Like and Why They’re Beautiful. Healthline. 27 September 2019.
https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/monolid-eyes

Image by Iwy.