Why Men's Eyelid Surgery Differs from Women's: Creaseless Eye-Shape Correction and Double Eyelid Lowering (Part 1)

EYE SURGERY · Men's Eyelid Surgery Guide

A method that keeps the double eyelid inconspicuous while giving the eyes an open, clear look

■ The Bottom Line

Men's eyelid surgery is not just about making the eyes bigger; it is about preserving both masculinity and naturalness. Because a thick double eyelid crease can look heavy, we create an open, defined, and natural-looking eye shape either through creaseless eye-shape correction, which adjusts the strength of the muscles that open the eye without forming a crease, or by lowering an existing crease.

■ Men and Women Follow Different Design Principles

For women, the design usually aims to make the double eyelid crease clearly visible. For men, even when a double eyelid is present, the approach should keep the crease from standing out by having the surrounding soft tissue cover it. Removing tissue to eliminate the crease can cause a range of side effects, so we take the approach of letting the tissue cover the crease instead.

Women are generally given a crease about 6–8 mm above the lash line, while for men, a lower crease of roughly 3–5 mm is better suited to a natural impression. The higher the crease, the bigger and more defined the eyes look, but on men it can appear unnatural.

■ Creaseless Eye-Shape Correction: Correcting the Eye-Opening Force Without a Crease

Creaseless eye-shape correction creates an open, clear eye shape by adjusting the tension of the muscles that open the eyes, instead of forming a double eyelid crease. Men often have thick skin, and results tend to loosen over time, so most cases are performed with incision. Non-incision is carefully applied in only about 10–20% of cases, depending on eye condition. The incision method preserves the orbicularis oculi muscle and finishes with dynamic fixation to keep the result from loosening.

Instead of creating a double eyelid crease, creaseless eye-shape correction precisely adjusts the strength of the muscles that open the eyes so they open more clearly. Because no crease forms, the surgery is hard to notice, yet you can expect your eyes to look more open and clear.

■ Creaseless Non-Incision vs. Incision: What's the Difference?

Men's creaseless non-incision eye-shape correction works by suturing Müller's muscle through the conjunctiva, creating a clear, defined look while minimizing scarring. However, it is carefully applied only in the roughly 10–20% of cases that meet the indications.

Men's creaseless incision eye-shape correction is the method used in most cases. It preserves the orbicularis oculi muscle while precisely adjusting muscle tension to create a natural, open-looking eye shape. The design is customized for each patient so it harmonizes with the overall facial balance.

■ Incision Methods Are Often a Better Fit for Men's Eyelids

Men's eyelids tend to have thicker skin and more fatty tissue. With the buried suture method, the thread may loosen, and on thick eyelids the crease may not form well. The incision method directly removes excess fat and skin, which gives better long-term hold and a more natural shape. However, removing too much fat can cause an unnatural hollowed look, so judging the right amount is key.

■ If the Double Eyelid Crease Feels Too Heavy, Lowering It Is an Option

When a natural double eyelid crease is too high, when a previous surgical crease has started to look unnatural, or when the overall impression feels smarmy or heavy, reducing or removing the double eyelid may be considered. The goal is to keep the eyes open and defined while achieving a more masculine, approachable look. In these cases, the method, known as double eyelid lowering or crease lowering, is chosen based on eye condition.

Double eyelid removal for men is not a procedure that cuts away skin to erase the crease. Instead, it lowers the crease or advances the eye-opening muscle (levator) to enlarge the eyes, so that the existing crease is naturally covered by soft tissue. It is mainly considered when a naturally deep, high crease feels too heavy, or when a previous surgical crease has grown unnatural over time. Because the approach depends on eyelid skin thickness and how much the existing crease overlaps, diagnosis comes first.

■ Why Is Cutting Away Tissue Risky?

Methods that remove the tissue around the crease to eliminate it forcibly remove tissue, so side effects are more likely to occur. On the other hand, a method that does not remove tissue but lets it cover the crease can conceal the line naturally while minimizing tissue damage.

We do not recommend skin-removal approaches, as they carry risks such as scarring and lagophthalmos (a condition in which the eye cannot close completely). Instead, we mainly use methods that lower the crease so that it is covered. Even when the goal is the same, results can differ greatly depending on the approach, so we always start consultations by explaining this difference.

■ If the Eye-Opening Strength Is Weak, Eye-Shape Correction Is Done Together

Some men have ptosis, a condition in which the eyelid itself is weak at lifting, in addition to not having a double eyelid. In such cases, creating only a double eyelid may not open the eyes enough, or the crease may not turn out as intended. Performing double eyelid incision together with eye-shape correction can improve eye-opening strength while also creating the crease. When necessary, canthoplasty (eye-corner opening) may be performed alongside, and whether the eye-opening strength is sufficient is confirmed through a pre-surgery examination.

■ Disclaimer

This content is intended solely to provide medical information and does not recommend any specific surgery or guarantee results. Complications such as bleeding, infection, and inflammation may occur after surgery, and results and recovery time may vary depending on individual skin condition. Please be sure to confirm an accurate diagnosis and your progress through consultation with a specialist physician.

The photos in this post were taken with the patients' prior consent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do men's and women's eyelid surgeries follow different design principles?

Yes, they do. Women's designs generally aim to make the double eyelid crease clearly visible, while for men, even when a double eyelid is present, the approach is to have the crease covered by soft tissue. We explain that a lower crease of roughly 3–5 mm above the eyelid is generally better suited to a natural look for men.

Does creaseless eye-shape correction create a double eyelid crease?

No. It is a method that creates a clear, defined eye shape by adjusting the tension of the muscles that open the eye, without making a double eyelid crease. Because no crease is formed, the surgery is less noticeable, and you can expect the eyes to look more open.

Can men's creaseless eye-shape correction be done non-incision?

Only in limited cases. Because men's skin is thick, most procedures are performed with incision, and we explain that non-incision is carefully applied in only about 10–20% of cases, depending on eye condition.

Is men's double eyelid removal a surgery that cuts away skin?

No. It is not a surgery that cuts skin to erase the crease. Instead, it lowers the crease or advances the eye-opening muscle so that the existing crease is naturally covered by soft tissue.

What should I do if my eye-opening strength is weak?

Double eyelid incision and eye-shape correction can be performed together. If ptosis, which weakens the eye-opening strength, is present, creating only a double eyelid may not open the eyes sufficiently. When needed, canthoplasty may be performed alongside, and this is confirmed through a pre-surgery examination.

Can complications occur after surgery?

Yes, complications such as bleeding, infection, and inflammation can occur. Results and recovery periods may vary depending on individual skin condition, so accurate diagnosis should be confirmed through consultation with a specialist.