Double eyelid surgery in Korea

Double eyelid surgery makes a crease in the upper lid, by stitches or an incision. Plan 7–10 days in Korea.

Time at clinic: 30–90 min
Anesthesia: Local
Typical recovery: 5–14 days
Days in Korea: 7–10 days

Why KBW can suggest a clinic

interpreters: 88
sessions interpreted: 2,800+
partner clinics: 16

36 of the interpreters work in English. Sessions as recorded by November 2026. These partner clinics have this treatment on their menu.

No fee from you: Clinics pay KBW a commission, within the government cap. The clinic's price stays its own.
Since 2021: Registered Foreign Patient Facilitator No. A-2024-01-01-5755 (Seoul Metropolitan Government).

Clinics we can arrange

Partner clinics with double eyelid surgery on their own menu, own department first, then Seoul. This order is not a ranking. We arrange your interpreter and collect your quote at any of them.

DA Plastic SurgeryGangnam · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in English, Chinese, Japanese · On Teheran-roAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone), Facial fat grafting

Very Good Plastic SurgeryNonhyeon · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in English, Chinese, Japanese · On Nonhyeon-roAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone), Breast augmentation

OHO Plastic SurgeryGangnam · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in English · On Gangnam-daeroAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Thread lift, Botox

Rahyeon ClinicCheongdam · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in English, Japanese, ChineseAlso on its menu: Breast augmentation, Rhinoplasty, Liposuction

Pascal ClinicGangnam · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in English, Chinese · On Dosan-daeroAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone), Facial fat grafting

VIEW Plastic SurgeryGangnam · Plastic surgeryClinic website in English, Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese · On Bongeunsa-roAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone), Breast augmentation

See 10 more partner clinics

WOOA Plastic SurgeryGangnam · Plastic surgeryOpen on SundaysAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Breast augmentation, Liposuction

NANA Plastic SurgeryApgujeong · Plastic surgeryClinic website in English, Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese · On Apgujeong-roAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone), Breast augmentation

Be & Me Clinic ApgujeongGangnam · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in EnglishAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Thread lift, Ulthera / HIFU lifting

Ruby Plastic SurgeryGangnam · Plastic surgeryClinic website in English, Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese · On Dosan-daeroAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Breast augmentation

Banobagi Plastic SurgeryNonhyeon · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in English · On Nonhyeon-roAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone), Breast augmentation

WooAhIn Plastic SurgeryGangnam · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in English · On Bongeunsa-roAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone), Facial fat grafting

Cheongdam Yeosin Plastic SurgeryGangnam · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in EnglishAlso on its menu: Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone), Breast augmentation

Ilumi Plastic SurgerySinsa · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in English · On Gangnam-daeroAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone), Breast augmentation

Afternoon Plastic SurgeryGangnam · Plastic surgeryOn Bongeunsa-roAlso on its menu: Ulthera / HIFU lifting, Thermage, Botox

Limited Plastic SurgeryGangnam · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in English · On Gangnam-daeroAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Breast augmentation, Liposuction

What to know

A crease forms when the skin is tied to the deeper tissue of the lid, by a buried stitch or by an incision. Your skin thickness, lid fat and how far your eye opens decide which methods fit. A quote for “eye surgery” may include inner corner or ptosis work, so ask for each step by name.

Common methods

Buried suture (non-incision)

Thin lids, little fat, no extra skin to remove

Shorter recovery. The crease can weaken over time, and thread problems such as exposure or a small lump are reported.

Partial incision

Some fat to remove, no extra skin

Small cuts along the crease. Clinics name and define it differently, so ask what is cut and removed.

Full incision

Thicker lids, fat or extra skin

Skin or fat can be removed. More swelling and a line in the crease that fades slowly.

With ptosis correction

The lid covers part of the eye

A separate step on the muscle that lifts the lid, usually with its own price line.

Revision

Corrects an earlier crease

Scar tissue makes it more complex. It usually costs more and takes longer to settle.

How much is double eyelid surgery in Korea?

Rough range from public sources

About ₩1,000,000–4,000,000

≈ US$740–2,900, at a recent exchange rate

Rough range from public price guides, read November 2026. Sources vary widely. It varies by clinic; your written quote decides.

The range above is a rough guide from public sources, not any clinic's price. Your plan decides where you land, and each clinic's written quote is the number that counts. Send your goal to start.

What changes the price

Buried suture, partial or full incision
Fat or skin removal
Inner corner or ptosis work added
A first surgery or a revision (revision usually costs more)

A good quote lists

Surgery and anesthesia
Each added step, by name
Tests before surgery
Medicine and dressings
Stitch removal and follow-up visits
VAT

Recovery, day by day

Day 0: About 30–90 minutes, usually under local anesthesia. Cold packs for 48 hours. Keep your head raised for the first days.
Days 5–7: Stitches come out after an incision. Buried stitches usually stay in.
Around day 10: Most normal activity. Your surgeon says when to go back to work.
Days 7–14: Bruising settles within about two weeks. People usually plan the flight home after the surgeon's check.
2–4 weeks: Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting wait 10–14 days, sometimes 3–4 weeks. Eyes tire easily and dark glasses help.
Several months: Surgeons commonly say the crease looks high at first and settles over several months, longer after an incision.

Timeline from The Aesthetic Society's patient guide; the last line is from surgeon sources. Your surgeon's schedule comes first.

Typical ranges from American Society of Plastic Surgeons patient guides. Your doctor sets your own plan — general information, not medical advice. plasticsurgery.org

Good to know before you book

The VAT refund has ended

Foreign patients could reclaim 10% VAT on cosmetic procedures until December 31, 2025. It no longer applies, though many price guides still mention it. Check that your quote includes VAT.

Compare the same method

A buried suture price and a full incision price describe different surgeries. Menu names such as “natural” or “partial” differ by clinic. Ask what is cut, what is removed and how many stitches are used.

Pack glasses, not contact lenses

Eyes tire and dry out for the first weeks. Ask your surgeon when lenses can go back in, and bring glasses and dark sunglasses.

Keep the stitch day clear

After an incision you return around days 5–7. Book the flight after that visit and the surgeon's check, not on the same day.

The words “plastic surgery” on a sign

Any licensed doctor in Korea may do cosmetic surgery, and only a certified specialist may call the practice a plastic surgery clinic. Ask for the surgeon's specialty in writing.

Before you fly

Send a front photo with your eyes open and one looking down.
Bring records of any past eyelid surgery or filler near the eyes.
Tell the clinic about dry eye, contact lens use and past eye surgery such as LASIK.
List your medicines and supplements. Ask which to stop and when, including blood thinners.
Book a return date you can change, and pack dark sunglasses.

How to choose a clinic

Look for

1The surgeon is named in writing, with their specialty, such as plastic surgery or ophthalmology.
2You meet that surgeon before surgery, not only a consultant.
3The surgeon checks how far your eye opens and explains why a method fits your lid.
4You see the crease height marked and agree on it before the first cut.
5The clinic is registered in Korea to treat foreign patients. Ask for the registration.
6The revision terms and the plan for problems after you fly home are in writing.

What to ask at the consultation

1Which method do you suggest for my lid, and why not the others?
2Will you remove skin or fat? How much?
3Do my eyes need ptosis correction, or is it optional?
4What happens if the crease loosens or the two sides differ, and who pays?
5Who gives the anesthesia, and will I be awake?
6When can I fly, and who checks me first?

Questions people ask

How much is double eyelid surgery in Korea?

Public price guides put it at roughly ₩1,000,000–4,000,000, and they vary widely. Buried suture usually sits lower, incision, added steps and revision higher. You see the written quote before you fly; the clinic confirms the final price after your consultation.

Which double eyelid clinic in Korea is best for me?

We do not name a best clinic. Korean medical advertising law bans that claim, and the right clinic depends on your lid, method and budget. Tell us those and a coordinator suggests 2–3 partner clinics.

How long should I stay in Korea?

Plan 7–10 days. Stitches come out around days 5–7 after an incision, and people usually plan the flight home after the surgeon's check.

Buried suture or incision: which should I choose?

It depends on your skin thickness, lid fat and the crease you want. Buried suture has a shorter recovery but the crease can weaken over time. Incision can remove skin or fat but swells more and leaves a line in the crease. Ask the surgeon why they suggest one for you.

When will the swelling go down?

Bruising usually settles within about two weeks and most normal activity returns around day 10. Mild swelling can last longer, especially after an incision. People heal at different speeds.

Is double eyelid surgery in Korea safe?

Every surgery has risks, including bleeding, infection, dry eyes, trouble closing the eyes, an uneven crease and revision. Vision problems are very rare. No clinic can rule them out. Use the checklist on this page to check the surgeon and follow-up plan.

Why are there no reviews or before-and-after photos here?

Korean medical advertising law bars treatment reviews and before-and-after photos in this kind of advertising. Ask a coordinator what you want to know, and ask the clinic at your consultation.

Will someone interpret at the clinic?

Yes. Tell us when you ask and we arrange an interpreter for your visits.

General information, not medical advice. Your doctor decides what suits you.