Hooded Eyelid Surgery in Seoul: Revealing a Hidden Crease
The short answer
Hooded eyelid surgery removes the fold of skin that hangs over the upper eyelid crease and fixes a new or existing crease so it stays visible, after first checking whether a low brow is the real cause. In Gangnam it typically costs about KRW 1.5–3.5 million, takes about 1–1.5 hours under local anesthesia, and stitches come out at 5–7 days. Visible swelling usually fades within about 2 weeks.
Key facts
- What it treats: A skin fold hanging over the crease, often worse at the outer corner
- Typical cost in Gangnam: About KRW 1.5–3.5 million
- Procedure time: About 1–1.5 hours
- Anesthesia: Local, often with sedation
- First step: Brow position assessment
- Stitches out: About 5–7 days
- Downtime: About 2 weeks
Why eyelids become hooded
A hooded lid is one where a fold of skin hangs down over the crease, often most at the outer corner. It can come from extra or thick lid skin, a brow that sits low, or both. Some people have hooding from their 20s because of their lid anatomy; for others it develops with age as skin loosens and the brow descends. Because the fold covers the crease, your eyes can look smaller, heavier and more tired than they are, and eyeliner or shadow transfers onto the fold.
The surgeon first checks your brow, because a low brow needs a brow lift rather than more skin removal. Removing a lot of lid skin to compensate for a low brow pulls the brow down further and can make the eye look crowded. If the lid skin is the cause, the overhanging skin is removed along a new or existing crease. Fine stitches then link the skin to the levator, the muscle that opens the eye, so the crease folds inward and stays visible.
Most often chosen for and combined with
- A fold covering most of the crease
- Outer-corner hooding that makes the eye look droopy
- Makeup transfer onto the upper lid
It is often combined with a forehead or brow lift, ptosis correction or a temporal lift for outer brow drooping.
The procedure, step by step
Check the brow
With your forehead relaxed, the surgeon gently lifts the brow to see how much of the hood disappears. If most does, a brow procedure is recommended first or alongside.
Remove skin and set the crease
Excess skin is removed along the planned crease, often extending a little at the outer end. Fat and a thin muscle strip may be trimmed, then the skin is fixed to the levator to hold the fold.
Where the incisions are made
Along the crease; in some brow-assisted plans, a sub-brow incision just below the eyebrow is used instead.
How the scar heals over 12 months
The crease scar is pink for several weeks and usually blends into the fold by 6–12 months. Sub-brow scars are hidden along the lower edge of the eyebrow.
Recovery timeline
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Swelling and mild bruising |
| Days 5–7 | Stitches out |
| Weeks 2–4 | Crease looks high until swelling settles |
| Months 3–6 | Final fold |
Is it right for you?
A good fit if you
- Have hooding mainly from lid skin
- Want a visible, lasting crease
Another option may suit you better if
- Your brow is low: a brow lift may suit better
- You are younger with thin skin and only mild hooding: incisional double eyelid surgery may be enough
Risks to discuss at your consultation
Ask about asymmetry, a crease set too high, residual hooding at the outer corner, dry eye and incomplete closure if too much skin is removed. Learn more about the hooded eyelids condition.
Hooded eyelid surgery cost in Seoul
Typical Gangnam quotes are KRW 1.5–3.5 million, depending on skin removal, crease fixation and whether a sub-brow approach is used. A brow lift is priced separately.
Hooded eyelid surgery vs. incisional double eyelid
| Hooded eyelid surgery | Incisional double eyelid | |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Remove overhang | Create a crease |
| Skin removed | Moderate to more | Little |
| Brow assessment | Essential | Helpful |
| Typical cost | KRW 1.5–3.5 million | KRW 1.5–3 million |
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
How do I know if my brow is the problem?
If lifting your brow gently with a finger removes most of the hood, a brow procedure may be needed.
Can hooding come back?
Ageing continues, so some hooding may return over many years, especially if the brow descends.
What is a sub-brow lift?
It removes skin just below the eyebrow, useful for thick-skinned outer hooding without changing the crease.
Will I have a double eyelid afterwards?
Usually yes, as the crease is set during surgery.
How long should I stay in Seoul?
About 7–10 days for stitches and a review.
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.