In this post, I’d like to organize, in Q&A format, the questions many people have about double eyelid removal surgery.

I’ve covered a variety of topics through different posts so far, but some of you may have found it troublesome to look through them one by one.

In this post, I’ll gather only the essential points,

so that by reading just this one article, you can resolve all of your questions about double eyelid removal surgery.

Is double eyelid removal really possible?

Yes, it is possible.

That’s a very short and simple answer,

but since it is the most fundamental question for most patients considering double eyelid removal surgery,

the answer to this question can never be given too many times.

(There are also cases where, after double eyelid removal surgery, the eyelid line still looks like a thin inner double eyelid.

In such cases as well, since removing the deeply set, prominent double eyelid comes first,

this also falls under the category of double eyelid removal surgery.)

Can double eyelids created by surgery also be removed?

Why would you think that a double eyelid that wasn’t there can be created, but one that was created can’t be removed?!

The types of double eyelids can broadly be divided into natural double eyelids and surgically created double eyelids. Natural double eyelids can be further divided into two types: inborn double eyelids that you were born with, and acquired double eyelids that develop with age. Surgically created double eyelids can be further divided into two types: non-incisional double eyelids, created by making tiny openings and threading sutures inside, and incisional double eyelids, created by opening the skin and forming a fold. So in total, there are four types.

Removal of natural double eyelids

To give the conclusion first, all double eyelids can be removed. However, to remove a double eyelid, the fixation structure inside the upper eyelid that creates the fold (sutures or adhesion areas) must be released, so this process requires surgery, and double eyelid removal surgery is always performed using an incision method. In other words, regardless of how the double eyelid was created (natural, non-incisional, or incisional), it can be removed through the appropriate method.

How much scarring remains after double eyelid removal surgery?

As mentioned earlier, double eyelid removal surgery is performed only with an incision method,

so it cannot be said that there will be no scar.

However, the degree of scarring is similar to that of incisional double eyelid surgery,

and it does not leave worse scarring simply because it is double eyelid removal surgery.

Also, all surgical scars vary depending on an individual’s skin type and healing ability,

so for some people the incision marks may last relatively long, while for others they may fade to the point of being barely noticeable over time. Even if a scar remains, it is not usually more severe than the scar from the existing double eyelid surgery,

and since it is located in a place that can only be seen when the eyes are closed,

it is usually not very noticeable in daily life.

If you remove the double eyelids, won’t the eyes look smaller?

Most people think thick double eyelids make the eyes look bigger,

but what actually determines eye size is not the thickness of the double eyelid, but the strength of eye opening.

The function of opening the eyes is determined by the strength of the muscle that lifts the upper eyelid, namely the levator palpebrae superioris,

so even if the double eyelid is small or absent, the eyes can look large if the levator strength is good. And even if the double eyelid is large, the eyes can look small if the levator strength is not good.

In the photos above as well, you can see that the eyes look larger after surgery, when the double eyelid was removed, than before surgery, when there was a thick double eyelid.

Won’t the eyelid skin sag or develop wrinkles?

This question depends on the eye shape and condition, skin thickness, and amount of fat, so an in-person examination is needed for an accurate consultation.

Most people who consult about double eyelid removal surgery want to become completely monolid,

but unlike people with thin skin, if the upper eyelid skin is thick or there is a lot of fat, or if the outer corner of the eye is drooping,

then making it a “complete monolid” can cause the upper eyelid skin to sag quickly and press down on the eye,

so instead of a complete monolid, an inner double eyelid that is close to a monolid may be recommended.

An inner double eyelid close to a monolid is a design where

an incision line may be visible like a fold when looking downward,

but from the standard frontal angle with the face forward, the double eyelid is not visible.

It has the advantage of reducing skin sagging and preventing the eyes from looking smaller after surgery.

Do women also undergo double eyelid removal surgery?

In general, women tend to wear makeup more often than men,

so they often prefer eyes with double eyelids, which make makeup stand out more clearly.

However, that is not always the case.

• When the double eyelid is excessively thick or feels heavy
• When a surgical double eyelid loosens and an awkward “third line” appears
• When the left and right sides become asymmetrical and look uneven As such, when the existing line is not pleasing,

there are quite a few women who consider double eyelid removal surgery, judging that a natural monolid would actually be better.

Also, not all monolids create the same impression.

For women, the surgery is not simply about removing the double eyelid,

but is performed in a way that prevents the eyes from looking smaller or even makes them appear more defined.

So as a result, even without a double eyelid, the eyes can look natural, large, and clear.

How long is the recovery period and how much swelling is there after surgery?

For most patients who work in society, the most important part is the recovery period. It would be less burdensome and worrisome if you could rest for long enough,

but realistically, after a certain period of recovery, you have to return to daily life and work.

Double eyelid removal surgery is performed using an incision method, so there are sutures visible on the skin surface. Those sutures are removed after about 6 to 7 days, and washing the face is possible after that. In the early stages after surgery, the incision area may look red or bumpy.

Another major concern during recovery is swelling. The degree of swelling varies greatly depending on the individual’s skin type, constitution, and the extent of surgery,

so it is difficult to give an exact recovery period, but in general, it often takes about 3 to 6 months for things to settle. During that period, the swelling may feel like it lasts longer than expected, or the swelling on the left and right may differ, making the eyes look uneven, as in the photos above, which worries many people. However, in most cases, as time passes, the swelling goes down and the tissue at the surgical site normalizes, so overcorrection, swelling, and asymmetry gradually improve.

In conclusion, early swelling and temporary asymmetry are often part of the recovery process,

so it is important to give it enough time and observe the progress.

Many of you likely had questions about various aspects of double eyelid removal surgery, such as the surgical method, scarring, swelling, and changes in eye size. I hope the information organized today was helpful in understanding your concerns and setting a direction. But the important thing is not whether you have a double eyelid or not, but what eye shape is most suitable and comfortable for you. Please make your decision carefully through sufficient consultation and an accurate diagnosis.