Non-Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery for Thick Eyelids

Non-incisional double eyelid surgery is popular for its minimal downtime and scar-free approach—but it is not always the ideal choice for thick or heavy eyelids. Thick eyelids often have more fat, muscle, and skin bulk, which can make the suture method less stable or cause the crease to fade over time.

However, in Korea, advanced hybrid and reinforced suture techniques allow some patients with moderately thick eyelids to still achieve good results—depending on their anatomy.

Can Thick Eyelids Use the Non-Incisional Method?

It depends on how thick the eyelids are.

Suitable for Non-Incisional (if the eyelids are):

• Moderately thick, not overly fatty
• Have no or minimal excess skin
• Have good skin elasticity
• Fat distribution is even
• Not droopy or ptotic

Not Suitable for Non-Incisional (if the eyelids are):

• Very thick or puffy (“fleshy eyelids”)
• Have prominent fat pads
• Have loose or sagging upper eyelid skin
• Have hidden ptosis or weak levator muscles
• Want a very high or dramatic crease

In these cases, the crease may loosen or disappear over time, making the incision method more reliable.

Why Non-Incisional Methods Struggle with Thick Eyelids

Thick eyelids contain more tissue, which increases pressure on the crease. As a result:

• The crease may not hold strongly
• Sutures absorb more tension and can loosen
• The eyelid fold may look shallow or uneven
• Results may fade within months–years
• Revision may be required

This is why many Korean surgeons prefer incisional or partial-incision methods for thick eyelids.

Korean Alternatives for Thick Eyelids

1. Partial Incision (Half-Incision)

A small incision removes fat, while sutures form the crease.
Best for patients who want fast healing but need tissue reduction.

2. Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery

Most predictable and long-lasting for thick eyelids.
Allows full customization of crease height and shape.

3. Non-Incisional with Fat Removal (Hybrid Technique)

Some clinics offer a micro-hole technique that removes a tiny amount of fat through needle entry points.
Suitable for mildly thick eyelids.

4. Suture Method with Reinforced Fixation

Uses multiple fixation points and stronger anchoring for crease stability.
Better for medium-thick eyelids rather than heavy ones.

When Non-Incisional Can Work for Thick Eyelids

Korea’s suture method can be effective if:

• The patient wants a low natural crease
• The eyelid is thick but not saggy
• There is no ptosis
• Fat volume is moderate
• Skin elasticity is strong (younger patients)

These conditions help the crease stay stable even with thicker eyelid tissue.

When Incisional Surgery Is the Better Choice

Choose incisional double eyelid surgery if you want:

• A permanent crease
• A dramatic or higher fold
• Correction of uneven eyelids
• Precise shaping of fat and muscle
• Improved durability for heavy tissue
• Combined ptosis correction

Thick eyelids almost always get better, longer-lasting results with an incision-based method.

Bottom Line

Non-incisional double eyelid surgery can work for moderately thick eyelids, but not for very heavy, fatty, or sagging eyelids.
Korean surgeons often use hybrid or partial-incision techniques to balance natural results + stability.
For long-term reliability, incisional methods remain the gold standard for thick eyelids.