Aging Eyelids in Korea — Eye-Specialized Care & Cost Guide

At a Glance

  • Common issues: Hooded upper lids (dermatochalasis), low/hidden crease, ptosis (true lid droop), lateral hooding from brow descent, under-eye bags + grooves, crepey skin, asymmetry
  • Core solutions: Upper blepharoplasty, ptosis repair (levator/MMCR), brow/temporal lift, lower bleph + fat repositioning, selective canthopexy, skin-quality treatments (fractional/CO₂, RF microneedling, PRP)
  • Goal: Brighter, natural eyes—no hollowing, no “surprised” look
  • Fly-in stay: Typically 7–10 days in Seoul for stitch removal & early checks


Why Korea — and Why an Eye-Specialized Clinic?

1) Periorbital focus = better planning

Eye-specialized teams design the crease, lid margin, corners, and brow together. That prevents over-resection of skin and keeps results natural.

2) High-volume experience

Korean surgeons handle large numbers of eyelid and brow cases—refining fat preservation/repositioning, septal reset, and canthal support that age gracefully.

3) Structure-preserving techniques

Modern care favors move/preserve (not “scoop out”) for fat, support for lax lids, and conservative lifts to avoid hollowness or round eye.

4) Traveler-friendly systems

Clear English consults, photo reviews, transparent quotes, printed aftercare, and schedules built for international patients.

5) Strong value

Surgeon-led care with hospital-grade protocols at competitive pricing compared with many global hubs.

What “Aging Eyelids” Usually Means

  • Excess skin (dermatochalasis): Hides the crease, smudges makeup.
  • Ptosis (true droop): Lid margin sits low; you raise brows to see.
  • Brow descent: Lateral hooding, especially in middle age.
  • Fat changes: Upper sulcus hollowing; lower-lid bags + tear-trough groove.
  • Lid support: Laxity can cause rounding/scleral show if not addressed.
  • Skin quality: Crepey texture, fine lines, pigment/vascular hue.

Treatment Menu (Customized to You)

Upper Eyelid

  • Upper Blepharoplasty: Skin/fat tailoring with stable crease design.
  • Ptosis Repair (Levator/MMCR): Lifts the lid margin when droop is present; often combined with upper bleph.
  • Internal Browpexy / Temporal or Endoscopic Brow Lift / Sub-Brow Lift: For lateral hooding or global brow descent.

Lower Eyelid

  • Transconjunctival Lower Bleph: Inside-lid access; fat repositioning to fill the groove—no external scar.
  • Subciliary Lower Bleph: Adds skin-pinch/skin handling + muscle redraping for crepey skin.
  • Canthopexy / Lateral Tarsal Strip: Supports shape in lax lids.

Skin & Adjuncts

  • Fractional/CO₂ or RF microneedling, PRP/skin boosters, targeted peels/vascular lasers (tone & texture).
Plans are often combined—e.g., upper bleph + ptosis repair, or lower bleph + fat repositioning + canthopexy for stability.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

  • Heaviness/hooding or “sleepy eyes,” makeup imprinting
  • Under-eye puffiness with a groove/shadow
  • Brow tail sits low or eyes look tired in photos
  • Realistic goals and willingness to follow aftercare

Cost Estimates (Guide)

Final fees vary by anatomy, technique, support procedures, and revision status. Ranges typically include surgeon + facility + anesthesia (KRW).

Upper & Brow

  • Upper Blepharoplasty: ₩1.8M–₩4.0M
  • Ptosis Repair (levator/MMCR): ₩1.8M–₩4.8M
  • Temporal (Lateral) Brow Lift: ₩2.0M–₩4.0M
  • Endoscopic Brow/Forehead Lift: ₩3.0M–₩6.0M
  • Sub-Brow Lift: ₩2.0M–₩4.0M
  • Internal Browpexy (add-on): ₩0.8M–₩1.8M

Lower Eyelid

  • Lower Bleph (Transconjunctival): ₩1.8M–₩3.5M
  • Lower Bleph (Subciliary + Skin Handling): ₩2.5M–₩4.8M
  • Fat Repositioning / Septal Reset (add-on): ₩0.8M–₩1.8M
  • Canthopexy/Canthoplasty (if needed): ₩0.8M–₩1.5M
  • Revision Eyelid Surgery: ₩3.5M–₩7.5M

Example Packages

  • A. Hooded lids (no droop): Upper bleph → ₩1.8M–₩4.0M
  • B. Hooded + true droop: Upper bleph + ptosis repair → ₩3.3M–₩6.5M
  • C. Lateral hooding (brow tail low): Temporal brow lift (± upper bleph) → ₩2.0M–₩6.5M total
  • D. Eye bags + groove: Transconjunctival lower bleph + fat repositioning → ₩2.2M–₩4.0M
  • E. Comprehensive refresh (upper + lower ± brow): ₩4.8M–₩10.5M depending on scope

Travel Timeline (Typical)

  • Day 0: Outpatient surgery (45–120 min).
  • Days 1–3: Peak swelling/bruise; head elevated; cool compresses.
  • Day 5–7: Stitch removal (if external incision).
  • Day 7–10: Socially presentable; light makeup after clearance.
  • Weeks 3–6: Refinement; crease/contours soften.
  • Months 3–6: Final shape & scar maturation.

How to Get Your Personal Estimate (Fast)

Send (email or form upload):

  1. Photos: front/45°/side (neutral), plus brows gently lifted with fingers
  2. Prior eyelid/brow procedures or fillers (what/when)
  3. Top priorities: hooding, droop, bags/groove, asymmetry, skin lines
  4. Travel window and downtime preference
  5. Medical notes: dry eye, lenses, allergies, blood thinners

You’ll receive a custom plan, clear fee range, and a 7–10 day recovery calendar tailored to your trip.

FAQs

Do I need ptosis repair or just skin removal?
If the lid margin is low, you need ptosis repair. Skin-only surgery won’t fix droop.

Brow lift or upper bleph first?
If the brow tail is low, lift the brow first (often temporal), then do a conservative upper bleph if needed.

Will I look hollow or “surprised”?
We avoid both: fat preservation/repositioning and conservative lift vectors keep results natural.

Is there always a scar?
Upper bleph hides in the crease; subciliary hides under lashes; transconjunctival lower has no external scar.

How long do results last?
Typically years. Aging continues, but structural problems (droop, bags, laxity) are corrected.