People with double eyelids have a more beautiful and exotic aesthetic appearance than people with a single eyelid. While there is no medical advantage of having double or single eyelids, double eyelids are considered to make the eyes more energetic and livelier than monolids. Since some East Asians, including Singaporeans, are not born with supratarsal fold (double eyelid crease), they have to put double eyelid tapes and glues on every single day.
But now, double eyelid surgeries have made it possible for people to change the appearance of their eyelids. Apart from aesthetic purposes, double eyelid surgery in Singapore are also used for droopy eyelids or eye bags.
In this article, we are going to discuss the two most popular double eyelid surgeries in Singapore and the differences between them.
What Are Double Eyelids?
Some people are born with visible upper eyelid creases, known as double eyelids. People of East Asian Descent are born with single eyelid creases as a typical facial feature, known as monolids or single lids. However, there is nothing medically wrong with both of them. It’s just that people with double eyelids are perceived to look aesthetically more beautiful.
In Singapore and other East Asian regions, people often have double eyelid surgeries to crease the appearance of double eyelid creases. There are many reasons for having double eyelid surgery, including:
- You have droopy or flagging eyelids that are interfering with your vision.
- Your eyes have excess fat, due to which they look puffy.
- You have one double and one single eyelid, and you want them to match.
- It will be much easier for the makeup to be visible.
- Permanent double eyelid creases make your eyes appear bigger and larger.
What Is Double Eyelid Surgery?
Double eyelid surgery is the most common cosmetic procedure designed specifically to enhance or create upper eyelid creases. Double eyelid surgery, including both non-invasive to more invasive double eyelid surgeries, has become popular and acceptable procedures in recent years.
The procedure should always be performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. Here are a few things that you should discuss with your surgeon:
- Your medical history may include any underlying conditions, known allergies, and prescribed medications.
- Any eye concerns you have with your eyes.
- Type of surgery you’re going to have (incisional or non-incisional).
- Specialities of the procedure, for example, the type of anaesthesia.
- What to expect after the surgery.
- Recovery and possible risks after the surgery.
There are two surgical approaches for creating the upper eyelid crease: incisional double eyelid surgery and non-incisional double eyelid surgery. The following are the basics of each procedure to help you make a better decision.
Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery
Procedure
The procedure for incisional double eyelid surgery involves the following steps:
- The doctor will carefully measure and mark the proposed double eyelid line with a pen.
- The area will be sedated and local anaesthesia may be administered additional.
- The doctor makes an incision along the double eyelid line.
- The fat tissue and excess skin will be removed between incisions.
- Stitches will be used to close the incisions together to create the desired crease on the double eyelid line.
- The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Expected Results
After the incisions have completely been healed, the new double eyelid crease will look more natural. The double eyelid crease created from this technique is permanent.
Post-Operative Care
Post-operative medications include:
- Analgesics and anti-swelling medications.
- Oral antibiotics.
- Antibiotic eye drops three times a day.
- Antibiotic ointment is to be applied 3-5 times a day.
Who Is A Good Candidate?
You’re a good candidate for incisional double eyelid surgery if:
- You Have Heavy Upper Eyelids: Incisional surgery is the best option if you have heavy or thick eyelids due to excess fat and skin on them. The surgery removes excess fat cells to enhance the look of the eyes.
- You Want Permanent Outcomes: Incisional surgery is the way to go. You want double eyelids for a lifetime because stitching surgeries temporarily create double eyelid creases.
Benefits Over Non-Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery
The following are some pros that incisional surgery offers:
- More Defined Double Eyelid Creases: Incisional surgery makes the new crease by removing excess fat. So, there is no risk of weakened attachments of sutures and asymmetry of the crease. Once the wounds heal, the integrity, definition, and outline of the new crease are permanently preserved.
- No Waste Of Money And Time: Although the cost and recovery time for incisional surgery is higher and longer, the results are permanent and can save you time and money. Compared to incisional procedures, non-incisional sutures have semi-permanent results.
Expected Risks And Downtime
When the anaesthesia subsides, you may experience some bruising and swelling on the treated area. It may take 3 to 4 weeks for the wound to completely heal. Some patients may expect sensitivity to light right after the procedure. Therefore, it is better to bring a friend to drive you home.
There may be visible scarring on the skin, however, it is hidden along the double eyelid fold. You may be prescribed scar lightening creams or gels to get rid of the scar. The scar will improve and blend into the surrounding skin within a few months.
Non-Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery
As the name suggests, non-incisional double eyelid surgery does not use incisions to create a double eyelid crease. Instead, sutures are weaved along the marked double eyelid line. Therefore, the procedure is known as sutured double eyelid surgery.
The following are the steps involved in non-incisional surgery:
- Like the incisional technique, the plastic surgeon first measures and marks the eyelid.
- The procedure is initiated under IV sedation or local anaesthetic.
- The plastic surgeon then carefully makes a series of tiny punctures in the skin along the eyelid line.
- The sutures are then placed on the punctured skin and stitched until the desired double eyelid crease is formed. The sutures will remain invisible on the skin. It is because they are buried into the skin, so no scar tissue is left.
- The procedure is completed in 20 to 30 minutes.
Expected Results
The desired results are noticeable once the wound has been healed. Recovery generally takes around 7 to 10 days. When performed by an experienced surgeon, there are minimal chances of complications and scarring. The non-incisional double eyelid surgery results can last for many years when properly cared for.
Post-Operative Care
After the procedure, follow these tips to recover faster:
- Take pain medications (no aspirin) as prescribed.
- Your eyes may look bruised or swollen after the surgery. Apply antibiotic ointment for some days.
- Do not wear eye makeup for at least one week.
- Rest when you feel tired.
Who Is A Good Candidate?
Non-incisional surgery is a good option for you if:
- Have Thinner Upper Eyelids: Unlike incisional surgery, non-incisional surgery uses sutures through stitching the skin to maintain the integrity and strength of the sutures. The integrity of sutures cannot be maintained on thicker eyes.
- You’re New To Cosmetic Surgeries: Since the results are reversible, it is a preferred option if you’re new to cosmetic procedures.
- You Have Healthy Skin: The skin of your eyes needs to be healthy. It is because the suture attachments can be weakened and even removed when you rub your eyes due to skin problems, like eczema.
Benefits Over Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery
You can expect the following benefits with non-incisional double eyelid surgery:
- Results Are Reversible: Unlike incisional surgery, results are reversible with non-incisional surgery. It means that you can easily reverse the results if you don’t like the look of double eyelids.
- Procedure Cost Is More Affordable: The average cost for non-incisional double eyelid surgery in Singapore ranges between $3900 and $4200, which is quite affordable. The cost depends on the quality of suture material, post-operative medications or follow-ups, and doctor’s fees.
- Faster Recovery Time: Many people in Singapore cannot afford a leave because they have full-time jobs. Therefore, they mostly prefer this procedure because of its faster recovery time. The technique consumes less time, so you don’t have to worry about the recovery of bruises and scar tissues.
Expected Risks And Downtime
You may experience mild bruising or swelling on the treatment area after the procedure. But these symptoms subside within a few days. Within 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery, you will expect noticeable results with full recovery.
The Bottom Line
Having a single eyelid does not make you any different from others, and it does not mean you have a medical condition. Double eyelid creases just look beautiful and add a spark to the eyes. Incisional and non-incisional double eyelid surgery can help many people achieve a perfect double eyelid crease. Each procedure has its own risks and benefits, and their choice depends on personal preference. It is, however, important to discuss the pros and cons of each procedure with your plastic surgeon to make an informed decision.
About Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery
Bespoke surgical for cosmetic or medical reasons is what Dream covers to bring out the beauty in every individual. Going beyond the aesthetics and working on physical anomalies are what we value the most in leading our patients to cherish self-improvement and confident lifestyles.
Derived from Associate Professor Vincent Yeow’s long-standing experience performing plastic surgery in Singapore, our treatment plans deliver physical remodelling in our patients’ favour. One of the notable remodellings is droopy eyelid correction. The ptosis surgery used for treatment eventually fixes drooping eyelids, improves vision and enhances appearance.
Most importantly, as a trustworthy plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, we treasure positive and natural outcomes for each individual. We will ensure to deliver the beauty refinement of your dream without compromising your safety and privacy.
