Asian Blepharoplasty Video

While many have heard of the term blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift, this word refers to many types of eyelid procedures. You can have an upper or lower eyelid lift by removing excess skin or it can refer to the removal of fat from the upper or lower eyelid, often in conjunction with skin removal. And then you have Asian Blepharoplasty.

Asian blepharoplasty is a procedure, also poorly termed “double eyelid surgery”, that creates a crease in the upper eyelid in persons of Asian descent. Why is this procedure requested? First we have to understand the difference in Asian and Western eyelids. The underlying anatomy in the upper eyelid contributes to the crease in the upper eyelid depending on ethnicity.

In Western eyelids, the underlying tissue in the eyelid attaches to the skin and creates a crease that is higher up on the eyelid whereas in Asian eyelids, the underlying tissue does not attach to the undersurface of the skin, therefore no crease is made and upper eyelid fat sits lower down in the eyelid, possibly creating a “tired” appearance. By placing a crease in the upper eyelid, patients that undergo Asian Blepharoplasty state that it is easier to put on eyeliner when a crease is present and they look less tired when upper eyelid fat is shifted upwards, as in the Western eyelid.

While some feel Asian Blepharoplasty as an attempt to assimilate, I disagree. The procedure does not change the distinctive ethnic shape of the eyes. While it does create a crease in the upper eyelid that was not present before, the attractive, Asian appearing eye is still present.

As you can see in the photos above, the patient’s eyes are still clearly Asian in appearance, but with the addition of an upper eyelid crease. While I can’t comment as to whether it is easier to put on eyeliner – since I don’t wear any – patients are very adamant that Asian Blepharoplasty makes them look less tired and they emphasize that they don’t want the shape of the eyes altered.