Double eyelid surgery in Korea: what surgeons in Seoul actually charge
Double eyelid surgery costs $1,000 to $3,500 in Seoul. Most foreign patients pay $1,400–$2,200 for incisional double eyelid surgery at a Gangnam clinic.
- Prices verified
- 2026-08-24
- Medically reviewed
- Pending — see editorial policy
- Korean name
- 쌍꺼풀
Double eyelid surgery prices in Seoul
| Option | Price (USD) | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-incisional (buried suture) | $1,000–$1,800 | per procedure | Fast healing. Can loosen over years |
| Partial incision | $1,200–$2,200 | per procedure | — |
| Full incision | $1,400–$2,800 | per procedure | Permanent. Standard for thicker lids |
| Ptosis correction (added) | $800–$1,800 | add-on | For a droopy lid margin, not just a crease |
| Epicanthoplasty (inner corner) | $700–$1,600 | add-on | — |
| Lateral canthoplasty (outer corner) | $900–$2,000 | add-on | — |
| Revision | $2,000–$4,500 | per procedure | Harder than the first operation |
Most quotes are for the crease alone. Ptosis correction and corner work are priced separately and are frequently added at consultation. Ranges observed across Seoul clinics in August 2026.
Clinic-by-clinic prices are being collected. Clinics that decline to publish a price are not listed. Until then the table above is the market range we observed.
Double eyelid surgery vs. the alternatives
| Option | What it is | Best for | Seoul price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-incisional | Buried sutures | Thin lids, fast recovery | $1,000–$1,800 |
| Partial incision | Small opening | Some fat removal needed | $1,200–$2,200 |
| Full incision | Open technique | Thick lids, permanent result | $1,400–$2,800 |
| Ptosis correction | Muscle adjustment | Droopy lid margin, tired look | $800–$1,800 |
What the days after actually look like
- Day 0–3Swelling and bruising. Sutures visible. You cannot hide this with glasses.
- Day 5–7Sutures out. Swelling asymmetric — this is normal and alarming to people who were not warned.
- Week 2–3Presentable. Crease still higher than final.
- Month 2–3Crease settles to its real height.
- Month 6–12Final. Non-incisional settles faster than incisional.
Plan your trip around this. Clinics will book you whenever you ask; they will not reorganise your holiday for you.
Before and after
We do not have double eyelid surgery before-and-after photographs yet. When we do, every one will carry the clinic's name, how long after the procedure it was taken, and whether the two photographs were shot under the same lighting. We do not retouch them, and we do not publish a photograph without the patient's written consent.
Sites that show polished results without those details are usually showing you stock or AI-generated images rather than patients. We would rather show you nothing here than that.
Who should not have this
- You are staying under seven days. Sutures come out at day five to seven.
- You want a Western crease on an Asian lid without discussing anatomy. The tissue thickness is different and forcing a high crease looks operated.
- A clinic proposes four procedures when you asked about one. Corner work is often bundled in — ask what each one does and what happens if you skip it.
- Your actual issue is a droopy lid margin, not a missing crease. That is ptosis, and a crease alone will not fix the tired look.
- You are having revision and the clinic will not explain what the first surgeon did. Revision eyelid work is unforgiving.
Questions people actually ask
How much is double eyelid surgery in Korea?
$1,000–$2,800 depending on technique. Non-incisional is cheapest, full incision most durable. Corner work and ptosis correction are priced on top.
How long do I need to stay?
Seven to ten days. Sutures come out at day five to seven and swelling is still obvious when you fly.
Non-incisional or incisional?
Thin lids with little fat do well with non-incisional and heal faster. Thicker lids need incision or the crease disappears. A surgeon who offers only one method for every patient is describing their preference, not your anatomy.
Do I need epicanthoplasty too?
Only if the inner corner fold hides the crease you want. It is frequently added at consultation. Ask what changes if you decline it.
How long until it looks normal?
Two to three weeks to be presentable, two to three months for the crease to settle, up to a year for the final look.
Will it look obviously done?
That is a height decision. Ask for a natural crease height for your lid and be wary of a surgeon who agrees to whatever photo you show without comment.