Hooded Eyelid Surgery in Korea: Lighter, More Open Eyes
The short answer
Hooded eyelids in Korea are usually corrected with upper blepharoplasty, which removes excess upper eyelid skin and sometimes fat, combined with ptosis correction if the lifting muscle is weak. Surgery takes about 1 to 1.5 hours under local anesthesia with sedation and typically costs ₩1,500,000 to ₩4,500,000 in 2026. Stitches come out after 5 to 7 days, with most swelling gone in 2 weeks.
Key facts
- Main procedure: upper blepharoplasty
- Add-ons: ptosis correction, brow lift, double eyelid crease
- Surgery time: about 1–1.5 hours
- Typical cost: ₩1,500,000–₩4,500,000
- Stitch removal: day 5–7
- Social downtime: about 1–2 weeks
What are hooded eyelids?
Hooded eyelids occur when excess skin folds over the upper eyelid, partly covering the crease or the lid itself. The eyes can look tired, smaller or heavy, makeup can smudge, and in more severe cases the skin can press on the lashes or limit your upper field of vision.
Common causes
- Natural anatomy, including a low or absent crease
- Skin laxity with age
- A low or drooping brow pushing skin down
- Weak eyelid lifting muscle (ptosis), which can look like hooding
A careful exam separates these causes, because the right surgery depends on which one is driving the heaviness.
Treatment options in Korea
1. Upper blepharoplasty
The surgeon removes a precisely measured strip of excess skin along the natural crease, and often a little fat or muscle. The scar sits in the crease and fades well. For many East Asian patients, the surgeon can also create or redefine a double eyelid crease at the same time. Read about upper blepharoplasty and hooded eyelid surgery.
2. Ptosis correction (if needed)
If the eyelid itself sits low because the levator muscle is weak or stretched, the surgeon tightens the muscle to raise the lid. Removing skin alone would not fix this. See ptosis correction.
3. Combination procedures
When the brow has dropped, a forehead or brow lift may lift the hood from above. Some patients also combine hooded eyelid surgery with lower eyelid surgery or fat grafting.
Costs in Korea
| Procedure | Typical cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Upper blepharoplasty | ₩1,500,000–₩3,500,000 |
| Upper blepharoplasty + crease | ₩2,000,000–₩4,500,000 |
| Ptosis correction | ₩2,000,000–₩5,000,000 |
| Brow lift | ₩4,000,000–₩8,000,000 |
Recovery timeline
- Days 1–3: swelling and tightness; cold compresses; sleep with head raised.
- Days 5–7: stitches removed; you can usually fly home after this.
- Weeks 2–4: most swelling settles; makeup can be used.
- Months 3–6: the crease softens and the scar fades.
Natural refresh or a new crease?
Hooded eyelid surgery can be planned in very different ways. Some patients want only to remove heaviness and keep their eyes looking the same, just brighter. Others, often with East Asian eyelids, want a new or more visible double crease. The height of that crease changes the look a great deal: a low, tapered crease looks soft and natural, while a higher, parallel crease looks more dramatic. Bring photos of eyes you like and, ideally, photos of yourself when younger, so the surgeon understands your goal.
Risks to discuss
Ask about asymmetry between the eyes, a crease that is too high or fades, temporary difficulty closing the eyes fully, dry eye, visible scarring and, rarely, bleeding behind the eye. Removing too much skin is harder to fix than removing too little, so a conservative surgeon is often the safer choice.
Why patients choose Korea
Eyelid surgery is one of the most common procedures in Korea, and many surgeons have extensive experience with both Asian and non-Asian eyelids. Gangnam clinics often perform consultation and surgery within days, which suits short trips, and many have English-speaking coordinators.
How to choose a surgeon
- Ask whether your hooding is skin, brow, ptosis or a mix.
- Ask how much skin they plan to remove and where the crease will sit.
- Discuss the look you want: a natural refresh, a defined crease or a stronger change.
- Ask about dry eye risk and how they protect eye closure.
Planning your trip
Plan about a week in Seoul. Bring sunglasses, preservative-free eye drops and a spare pair of glasses if you wear contact lenses, as lenses are usually paused for a week or two.
This guide is for general information and is not medical advice. Prices are typical ranges reported by Gangnam clinics in 2026 and vary by clinic, doctor and treatment plan; confirm directly with the clinic.
Patient questions
Frequently asked questions
Will hooded eyelid surgery change my eye shape?
It removes heaviness and can define a crease. Your surgeon can keep the change subtle if you prefer.
Is the scar visible?
The scar sits in the eyelid crease and is usually hard to see once healed.
How long should I stay in Seoul?
About 7 days, until stitches are removed.
Can hooded eyelids come back?
Results are long-lasting, but skin continues to age, so some patients have a touch-up many years later.
Not sure which Gangnam clinic is right for you?
Tell us your goals, budget and travel dates. Our English-speaking coordinators compare doctor-led clinics and usually reply with free quotes within 24 hours.