Four structures decide which eyelid operation fits you: the fold of upper-lid skin, the levator muscle that raises the lid, the fat pads behind the lower lid, and the inner and outer corners of the eye. Eyelid surgery in Korea at ENTER Plastic Surgery covers each of them, and Dr. Jang Jin-woo, a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon, performs every operation listed here.
Treatments
Which eyelid operation treats which concern
Blepharoplasty is the medical name for eyelid surgery, yet the operations grouped under that name work on different tissue. An evidence review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery describes upper-lid surgery mainly as skin excision and crease placement, and lower-lid surgery as work on the lid-cheek junction, the tear trough and bulging fat, which lies deeper in the lid (Drolet, 2014). The nine procedures on this page follow that split.
Under-eye fat repositioning
Inner-lid approach
From ₩2,000,000 excl. VAT
Lower blepharoplasty
Skin, muscle and fat under the eye
From ₩2,600,000 excl. VAT
Upper blepharoplasty
Excess lid skin removed in the crease
From ₩2,600,000 excl. VAT
Ptosis correction
Eyelid-opening muscle repair
From ₩1,300,000 excl. VAT
Double eyelid surgery
Incisional method
From ₩2,000,000 excl. VAT
Non-incisional double eyelid
Buried suture method
From ₩1,600,000 excl. VAT
Epicanthoplasty
Inner-corner fold correction
From ₩1,300,000 excl. VAT
Lateral canthoplasty
Outer-corner eye shape surgery
From ₩2,600,000 excl. VAT
Sub-brow lift
Upper-lid skin removed below the brow
From ₩2,600,000 excl. VATUpper eyelid: extra skin, crease and lid height
Upper blepharoplasty removes surplus skin, and fat where it bulges, through an incision placed in the natural crease. It is the operation discussed when hooded or heavy skin rests on the lashes and narrows the view of the lid.
A sub-brow lift takes the surplus skin from just beneath the eyebrow instead, so the scar follows the lower edge of the brow. It suits a lid whose thickest, heaviest skin sits close to the brow, or a person who wants the existing crease left as it is.
Incisional double eyelid surgery forms a defined crease (the supratarsal fold) along a line drawn for each patient, through a skin incision. The non-incisional method sets the crease with buried stitches through a few tiny openings; the clinic's guidance is that this crease lasts several years and can loosen, which varies from person to person.
Ptosis correction addresses another problem: the lid margin itself sits low because the levator muscle is weak or stretched. At ENTER Plastic Surgery it is performed as an add-on during upper blepharoplasty or incisional double eyelid surgery. An upper-eyelid fat graft is the second add-on, combined with the same two operations for an upper lid that looks sunken.
Lower eyelid: bags, hollows and loose skin
Under-eye fat repositioning reaches the fat through the pink inner lining of the lower lid (the transconjunctival route). The bulging fat pad is moved down into the tear trough, and dissolving stitches close the inner opening, so the outer skin is not cut.
Lower blepharoplasty is chosen when loose or wrinkled lower-lid skin is part of the picture. Surplus skin is trimmed through an incision just below the lashes, or the work stays inside the lid when no skin needs removing.
A systematic review covering 10,698 lower blepharoplasty patients found low complication rates, with reoperation in 0.77%, scleral show in 0.37% and ectropion in 0.24%, but little photographic evidence on how long the result holds (Wilson, 2018). A 2025 review of 36 studies also reported few serious complications and asked for more rigorous comparisons between techniques (Gimenez, 2025).
Eye corners: the inner fold and the outer canthus
Epicanthoplasty opens the inner corner where a web of skin, the epicanthal fold, covers it. The medial and the upper versions are separate procedures, each with its own price. Lateral and lower canthoplasty works at the outer corner, where the two lids meet, to extend the eye outward and set the outer part of the lower lid slightly lower.
| Procedure | Main concern | Incision | Anesthesia | Stitches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper blepharoplasty | Surplus upper-lid skin, hooded lids | In the upper-lid crease | Local, IV sedation if needed | Removed at a follow-up |
| Sub-brow lift | Heavy skin just below the brow | Along the lower edge of the brow | Local, IV sedation if needed | Removed at a follow-up |
| Incisional double eyelid | Faint or missing crease | Along the designed crease line | Local, IV sedation if needed | Removed at a follow-up |
| Non-incisional double eyelid | Crease without a skin incision | Tiny openings, buried stitches | Local | Nothing to remove |
| Ptosis correction (add-on) | Low lid margin, weak levator | Through the upper-lid incision | Local, IV sedation if needed | Removed with the main surgery |
| Under-eye fat repositioning | Bags above a hollow tear trough | Inside the lower lid | IV sedation, local if needed | Dissolve on their own |
| Lower blepharoplasty | Bags with loose lower-lid skin | Below the lashes, or inside the lid | IV sedation, local if needed | Removed, or dissolve if inside |
| Epicanthoplasty | Fold over the inner corner | At the inner corner | Local or IV sedation | Removed at a follow-up |
| Lateral and lower canthoplasty | Short or upturned outer corner | At the outer corner | Local or IV sedation | Removed at a follow-up |
Swelling and settling by procedure
Swelling is where these operations differ most for travel planning. In the clinic's guidance, bruising and swelling ease in about three to seven days after non-incisional double eyelid surgery, epicanthoplasty and lateral canthoplasty; in one to two weeks after upper blepharoplasty, a sub-brow lift, ptosis correction and under-eye fat repositioning; and in two to three weeks after incisional double eyelid surgery. After lower blepharoplasty, recovery takes about a week, daily outings feel comfortable at around one month, and the scar keeps maturing for three to six months. Each procedure page lists its own follow-up visits and earliest flight home.
Who performs eyelid surgery at the clinic
Dr. Jang Jin-woo trained in plastic surgery at Kyung Hee University Medical Center, focuses on the upper face, the eyes and forehead, and holds membership in seven professional societies, among them the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) and the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS). For patients traveling from abroad, ENTER Plastic Surgery holds registration M-2023-01-08-7461 with Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare as an institution that treats international patients.
Side by side
Compare at a glance
| Treatment | Procedure time | Downtime | Earliest flight home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under-eye fat repositioning | 30–60 minutes | Swelling and bruising 1–2 weeks; settles over about 1–3 months | About 1 week, after the one-week check |
| Lower blepharoplasty | 30–90 minutes | About 1 week; daily life at about 1 month; scar matures in 3–6 months | After 7 days, once skin stitches are out |
| Upper blepharoplasty | 30–60 minutes | Swelling and bruising 1–2 weeks; crease settles in about 1–3 months | 7 days, once the stitches are out |
| Ptosis correction | 40–60 min incisional; 20–30 min non-incisional | Swelling 1–2 weeks; lid line settles in 1–3 months | About 7 days, after stitch removal |
| Double eyelid surgery | About 40–60 minutes | Swelling and bruising 2–3 weeks; crease settles in 3–6 months | After stitch removal, about 5–7 days |
| Non-incisional double eyelid | About 20–30 minutes | Swelling 3–7 days; crease settles in about 1–3 months | After 2–3 days |
| Epicanthoplasty | About 30–60 minutes | Swelling and bruising 3–7 days; the corner settles over about 2–3 months | 5–7 days after surgery, once stitches are out |
| Lateral canthoplasty | About 30–60 minutes | Swelling and bruising 3–7 days; line settles in about 2–3 months | After stitch removal, 5–7 days after surgery |
| Sub-brow lift | About 30–60 minutes | Swelling and bruising 1–2 weeks; the line settles in about 1–3 months | About 5–7 days, once the stitches are out |
Values are taken from the fact table on each treatment page.
Your doctor
Chief Director · Korean board-certified plastic surgeon
“Natural, yet clearly visible change.”Eyelid and facelift surgery at ENTER is planned and performed by Dr. Jang himself.
- NowChief Director, ENTER Plastic Surgery
- TrainingPlastic surgery, Kyung Hee University Medical Center
- FormerChief Director, Jang Plastic Surgery
- FormerDirector, Secret Plastic Surgery
- MemberKSPRS · KSAPS · ISAPS · ESOPRS · ASPS
Prices
Eyelid surgery cost in South Korea
Each card below shows the published fee for one eyelid operation, and every figure excludes VAT (10% VAT is added at payment). When IV sedation is used, it appears as its own line on top of the operation, charged the same way for every surgery the clinic performs.
Two cards are add-ons. Ptosis correction and the upper-eyelid fat graft are priced as additions to upper blepharoplasty or incisional double eyelid surgery and are not booked without one of those operations. Epicanthoplasty is priced per procedure, so medial and upper epicanthoplasty count as two items when done together. Ask for medication, aftercare and any combination of operations to be listed line by line in your written quote.
Upper blepharoplasty
- Upper blepharoplasty · per surgery₩2,600,000excl. VAT
- Upper-eyelid fat graft · add-on to upper lid surgery₩1,300,000excl. VAT
Non-incisional double eyelid
- Non-incisional double eyelid · buried-stitch method₩1,600,000excl. VAT
Lateral canthoplasty
- Lateral and lower canthoplasty · both corners, one surgery₩2,600,000excl. VAT
The clinic
Inside ENTER
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Evidence-Based MedicinePlastic and Reconstructive Surgery · 2014 · Drolet B · doi:10.1097/prs.0000000000000087
An evidence-based overview: upper-lid surgery centers on skin excision and crease position, while lower-lid surgery deals with the lid-cheek junction, tear trough and fat through selective removal or repositioning.
- Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Does the Literature Support the Longevity of this Procedure?Aesthetic Surgery Journal · 2018 · Wilson S et al. · doi:10.1093/asj/sjy186
Literature analysis of 10,698 lower blepharoplasty patients: complications were low (reoperation 0.77%, scleral show 0.37%, ectropion 0.24%), but photographic evidence for how long results last was scarce and follow-up reporting was poor.
- Safety and Complications in Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty: A Systematic ReviewPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · 2025 · Gimenez A et al. · doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000007102
A 2025 systematic review of 36 studies: lower blepharoplasty had few complications, no vision-threatening events were reported, and most problems resolved with conservative care or revision; stronger comparative studies are needed.
- Functional and Aesthetic Outcomes After Upper Blepharoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Control TrialsAesthetic Surgery Journal · 2025 · Todorov D et al. · doi:10.1093/asj/sjaf022
Meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials: dry-eye symptoms fell after upper blepharoplasty; removing muscle with skin did not change dryness but caused more incomplete lid closure, and running sutures increased irritation.
FAQ
Eyelid surgery in Korea: questions
Which eyelid surgery is used for hooded eyelids?
Upper blepharoplasty is the operation for hooded lids caused by surplus skin, which is removed with any bulging fat through the upper-lid crease. When the heaviness sits right under the eyebrow, a sub-brow lift is discussed, and when the lid margin itself is low, ptosis correction is added during the same surgery.
How is under-eye fat repositioning different from lower blepharoplasty?
Fat repositioning keeps your lower-lid fat and moves it into the tear trough through an opening inside the lid, closed with dissolving stitches. Lower blepharoplasty can also trim skin through an incision just below the lashes. Which one fits depends mainly on how loose the lower-lid skin has become.
Who performs eyelid surgery at ENTER Plastic Surgery?
Every eyelid operation on this page is performed by Dr. Jang Jin-woo, who is a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon trained at Kyung Hee University Medical Center. Memberships include ISAPS, ESOPRS and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Dr. Jang's surgical focus is the upper face: the eyes and forehead.
How much is eyelid surgery in Korea?
At ENTER Plastic Surgery, upper blepharoplasty is ₩2,600,000 and under-eye fat repositioning is ₩2,000,000, both excluding VAT (10% VAT is added at payment). IV sedation, when used, adds ₩300,000 plus VAT. The price cards above list every eyelid operation and both add-ons.
Can ptosis correction be booked without other eyelid surgery?
No. The clinic performs ptosis correction as an add-on during upper blepharoplasty or incisional double eyelid surgery, at ₩1,300,000 + VAT on top of that operation. If a low-set lid is your main concern, the surgeon examines the levator muscle and the upper-lid skin together to plan the combination.
Are stitches removed after eyelid surgery?
It depends on where the incision is. Skin incisions in the upper-lid crease, under the brow, at the eye corners and below the lower lashes have their stitches taken out at about five to seven days. Non-incisional double eyelid surgery leaves nothing to remove, and inner-lid incisions close with stitches that dissolve.
Does eyelid surgery cause dry eyes?
Dry or irritated eyes can occur for a while after eyelid surgery. In a meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials, dry-eye symptoms after upper blepharoplasty were lower than before it, although removing muscle along with skin left more patients unable to close the lids fully (Todorov, 2025). Mention any existing dry eye before surgery.
How do I arrange eyelid surgery from overseas?
Use the form on this page or message us on WhatsApp with the eyelid concern and your travel dates, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. English-speaking staff are available at the clinic. If you have had eyelid surgery before, say so in your first message, because revision planning differs.
Is a deposit required, and can I cancel?
Deposit and cancellation terms are set for each booking and are not published as a fixed rule. Get both in writing before you pay anything, and read them against your flight dates, since moving the surgery date also moves the stitch-removal and check-up visits that follow it.
Will health insurance pay for eyelid surgery in Korea?
Only your insurer can tell you whether surgery abroad is covered, so ask before you book and keep the reply in writing. If you plan to file a claim, request an itemized quote from the clinic that separates the surgery fee, IV sedation and VAT into their own lines.
Google reviews
Reviews on Google Maps
Great experience! Dr. is very sweet and kind. He listened to what I wanted to fix and correct. He explained everything very well. Wasn’t pushy and didn’t try to sell anything extra. This isn’t a clinic that comes out on instagram, which I…
Jennifer LyuA month agoI came to Enter Plastic Surgery on a friend’s recommendation for under-eye fat repositioning. I was pretty nervous going in, but the doctor took the time to explain what would work for my under-eyes, what the procedure involved, and what…
Michael2 months agoThe staff are incredibly friendly, and the consultation was very thorough. I was very worried since it was my first procedure, but the director explained the aftercare in detail, so I felt completely confident trusting them!!
ROOHEUI SHIN (RHS)2 months ago · Translated by Google