Quick answer. Double eyelid surgery (Asian blepharoplasty) creates an upper-eyelid crease using one of three approaches: non-incisional (suture/stitch), partial-incision, or full-incision. In Singapore, the suture method typically costs around S$3,200-S$4,200 and the incisional method around S$3,800-S$5,500+, before consultation fees and GST. Which method suits you depends on your eyelid anatomy – skin thickness, fat volume and how permanent you want the result. Recovery ranges from a few days (suture) to 1-3 months for swelling to fully settle (incisional). This is general information, not medical advice.
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Asian blepharoplasty, commonly called double eyelid surgery, creates or refines a crease in the upper eyelid so that a single-lid (monolid) appears to have a defined fold. It is one of the most-requested cosmetic procedures in Singapore, but the right technique varies significantly from person to person. This guide explains the main methods, what they typically cost in 2026, who is a candidate, the recovery timeline, the risks involved, and how to choose an accredited surgeon.
At a glance
| Method | Best for | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Non-incisional (suture / stitch) | Thin lids, little fat/skin; want fast recovery & reversibility (durable, not permanent) | S$3,200-S$4,200 |
| Partial-incision | Mild puffiness or slightly thicker lids; longer-lasting crease, moderate recovery | Between suture and full-incision pricing |
| Full-incision (open) | Thicker lids, excess fat/skin, hooding, or revision; permanent crease | S$3,800-S$5,500+ |
| Upper blepharoplasty (cosmetic) | Older patients with hooded, excess upper-lid skin | Varies; quote per case |
| Functional blepharoplasty / ptosis repair | Vision-obstructing droopy lids (medically indicated) | May be partly MediSave/insurance claimable if medically necessary |
The three main methods
There are three core surgical approaches, ranging from least to most invasive:
- Non-incisional (suture / stitch method): The surgeon passes fine sutures through several tiny puncture points along the planned crease line to bind the skin to the deeper levator structures. There is no continuous cut, recovery is fast, and the result is reversible, but it is best suited to thinner eyelids without excess skin or fat. The crease is durable but not strictly permanent — it can loosen over years and may need a touch-up.
- Partial-incision (partial-open) method: A middle-ground technique using one or more short incisions. It allows a modest amount of fat to be removed and produces a more secure, longer-lasting crease than sutures alone, while keeping swelling and scarring lower than a full incision. It suits people with mild puffiness or slightly thicker lids.
- Full-incision (open) method: A continuous incision along the crease line lets the surgeon remove excess skin, muscle and fat and anchor a defined, generally permanent crease. It is best for thicker eyelids, significant fat, loose or hooded skin, or revision cases — but it has the longest recovery and is not reversible.
Method choice is driven by anatomy, not preference alone: skin thickness, fat volume, existing skin laxity, and how permanent and predictable you want the result.
Typical cost in Singapore (2026)
Prices vary by surgeon, method, complexity, and whether procedures are combined. As a guide to typical market ranges:
- Non-incisional / suture: roughly S$3,200-S$4,200.
- Partial-incision: generally sits between the suture and full-incision figures.
- Full-incision / open: roughly S$3,800-S$5,500, and from around S$5,000 upward at some clinics for more complex cases.
These figures usually cover the surgeon’s fee, anaesthesia and facility fees. On top of the surgery, expect an initial consultation fee (commonly around S$150-S$200) and prevailing GST. Combining other procedures adds cost. Purely cosmetic double eyelid surgery is not claimable from MediSave or insurance.
Related procedures often combined
Double eyelid surgery is frequently performed alongside other eye procedures to balance the overall result:
- Ptosis correction: If the upper lid margin sits low and partly covers the pupil (drooping), the levator muscle may be tightened. This is often done at the same time as crease creation.
- Epicanthoplasty (medial/lateral): Adjusts the inner or outer corner fold to lengthen the eye’s horizontal width. Medial epicanthoplasty is commonly combined with crease surgery; residual swelling can take longer, with final results around 6 months.
- Medial / lateral canthoplasty: Reshapes the eye corners to change eye shape or width.
- Upper blepharoplasty: For older patients with hooding and excess upper-lid skin, removing redundant skin refreshes the eyes. Where droopy lids genuinely obstruct vision, a functional (medically indicated) blepharoplasty or ptosis repair may be partly MediSave/insurance claimable — but only when documented as medically necessary, typically via an ophthalmologist’s visual assessment. Cosmetic-only surgery is not claimable.
Who is a candidate, recovery and swelling
Good candidates are generally healthy adults with realistic expectations who want a defined crease, a refreshed upper-eye appearance, or correction of asymmetry between the two eyes. Thin lids with little fat tend to do well with the suture method; thicker, fattier or hooded lids usually need a partial- or full-incision approach.
Recovery depends heavily on the method:
- Suture method: initial swelling settles in roughly 2-3 days, with a presentable appearance in about 2 weeks.
- Incisional methods: initial healing and stitch removal at about 7-14 days; most swelling resolves within a few weeks, but fine residual swelling and final crease settling can take 1-3 months (and up to ~6 months when epicanthoplasty is combined).
Bruising, swelling, temporary dryness, light sensitivity and mild discomfort are normal early on. Cold compresses, head elevation and avoiding strenuous activity help.
Risks, revision and choosing an accredited surgeon
Like any surgery, double eyelid procedures carry risks, including asymmetry between the two creases, crease loss or loosening (more common with the suture method over time), over- or under-correction of crease height, visible scarring (mainly with incisional methods), prolonged swelling, dry eyes, and the possibility of needing a revision. Minor asymmetries are often best assessed and corrected only after swelling settles (commonly around 2 months or later).
To reduce risk, choose a surgeon registered with the Singapore Medical Council and, ideally, a recognised plastic surgery or oculoplastic specialist with substantial Asian-eyelid experience, operating in a licensed, accredited facility. Ask to see before-and-after photos of comparable cases, discuss which method fits your specific anatomy and why, and clarify the revision policy and total cost (including GST and any combined procedures) up front.
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Sources
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