Epicanthoplasty (Inner Corner Surgery) in Seoul

What is epicanthoplasty?

Epicanthoplasty is a procedure that modifies the epicanthal fold, a vertical web of skin that stretches from the upper eyelid down over the inner corner of the eye. Many people of East Asian descent have this fold to some degree. It is a normal anatomical feature, not a flaw. In some faces, however, a prominent fold hides the pink tissue of the inner corner (the caruncle), makes the eyes look set further apart than they are, or causes a double eyelid crease to begin abruptly or look uneven.

Epicanthoplasty repositions the skin and, where relevant, releases the tension that creates the web. The eye can then read as slightly longer horizontally and more open toward the nose, and a fold can flow more naturally from the inner corner.

Who is a good candidate?

• A pronounced epicanthal fold that covers much of the inner corner
• Eyes that look far apart relative to the nose and face
• A wish for a parallel or more continuous double eyelid crease
• Asymmetric inner corners
• Tension from the inner fold that pulls a double eyelid crease downward

It is usually not recommended when the fold is mild and already balanced with the face, when the eyes are close-set, or when the goal is a large visual change. Removing too much of the fold can make the inner corner look sharp, red or artificial and can make the eyes appear too close together. Because the inner-corner skin is thin and scars can be visible in some people, the benefit should clearly outweigh the risk. If you are unsure, the consultation is exactly the place to discuss this.

Understanding the epicanthal fold

Epicanthal folds vary a great deal, and the shape of yours influences both whether surgery is worthwhile and which design is used. Surgeons often describe folds by where they arise and how they run. In the most common type among East Asian eyes, the fold continues from the upper lid skin and runs down over the inner corner, fading into the lower lid. In other types, the fold starts higher, from the brow area, or arises from the lower lid and sweeps upward. Folds also differ in thickness and tension: some are soft skin webs that release easily, others are tight bands supported by muscle fibers.

A thin, loose fold may need only a small skin redraping. A tight fold with muscle tension usually needs that tension released, or it tends to pull back and widen the scar. Recognizing these differences is part of designing a procedure that heals quietly.

What epicanthoplasty cannot do

It is useful to be clear about the limits. Epicanthoplasty does not change how far your upper eyelid opens; that depends on the levator muscle and is addressed by ptosis correction. It does not change the width between your eye sockets, which is set by bone. It does not change the outer corner or the angle of the eye. And it cannot promise a scar that is invisible in every person, because skin healing is individual. What it can do, in the right face, is reveal a little more of the inner corner and allow the eyelid crease to begin gracefully.

Questions worth asking yourself first

Before deciding, it may help to look at your eyes in natural light and ask: does the inner fold truly bother me, or have I only been told it should? Does my crease start where I would like, or is it hidden? Would I prefer a subtle change that most people would not name, or am I hoping for something more visible? Honest answers help the consultation focus on your priorities. Many people find that the smallest effective change feels most like themselves.

How Dr. Kim approaches design at Will Be

At Will Be, epicanthoplasty is approached with restraint. Dr. Kim Jun-young personally assesses the fold, marks the design, performs the surgery and follows your healing. He looks at the distance between the inner corners in relation to eye width and nose bridge, the tension in the fold, whether it pulls on the crease, and your skin's tendency to scar.

The design is usually small. Often, a correction of a millimeter or two is enough to change how the eye reads, while keeping the inner corner soft. The aim is not to erase a feature that belongs to many East Asian faces, but to bring the eye into balance with your face. For more on this idea, see what natural results actually mean.

How is the procedure performed?

There are several recognized designs, including Z-plasty variations and skin-redraping methods. The choice depends on the fold's shape, its tension, and whether a double eyelid procedure is being done at the same time. In general:

1. Measurement and marking. The amount of release is planned in millimeters on both sides, with attention to symmetry.
2. Local anesthesia. The inner corner is numbed; sedation may be added.
3. Skin incision. A small incision is made along the fold and into the inner corner according to the chosen design.
4. Tension release. The fibrous bands and a small part of the orbicularis oculi muscle that hold the fold taut are released, so the skin can move.
5. Redraping. The skin is repositioned toward the nose, and any minimal excess is trimmed.
6. Closure. Very fine sutures close the incision, placed to follow natural lines where possible.

Releasing tension, rather than only removing skin, helps reduce pull on the scar. This is one of the main factors in how well the incision heals.

Anesthesia and surgery time

On its own, epicanthoplasty typically takes about 30–45 minutes. When combined with double eyelid surgery, total time is longer. It is performed under local anesthesia, with optional sedation, and you go home the same day.

How long does recovery take?

Scar care matters for this procedure. See scar care after facial surgery.

Risks and how they are minimised

The main concerns are visible or thickened scarring, prolonged redness, over-correction (an inner corner that looks too open, sharp or red), under-correction, asymmetry, and in rare cases a return of some fold as tension recurs. Over-correction is particularly important because restoring an inner fold, known as reverse epicanthoplasty, is possible but more difficult and less predictable. Bleeding, infection and swelling may also occur. Individual results vary.

These risks are reduced by conservative design, releasing tension rather than removing large amounts of skin, very fine closure, and careful scar care after surgery. Revision of visible eyelid scars is considered only after the tissue has matured.

Epicanthoplasty and your double eyelid

The inner corner and the double eyelid crease are linked. When a prominent epicanthal fold pulls downward, it can make the start of a crease disappear or bend. This is why epicanthoplasty is commonly combined with incisional or natural adhesion double eyelid surgery. A small release can allow an in-out fold to start more smoothly, or make a parallel fold possible where it otherwise would look forced.

It is sometimes contrasted with outer-corner surgery. The two address opposite ends of the eye and have quite different effects; see epicanthoplasty vs lateral canthoplasty.

Preparing and caring for the area

Before surgery, follow your surgeon's advice on pausing medicines and supplements that increase bruising, and avoid smoking and alcohol. Afterwards, keep the inner corners clean and dry, apply ointment as instructed, and do not rub the eyes. After suture removal, silicone gel and diligent sun protection are commonly recommended for several months. Avoid pressing or massaging the scar unless advised.

Staying in Korea as an international patient

Plan about 7 days in Seoul: consultation, surgery, suture removal around day 5–7 and a check before flying. The inner corners can still look pink when you travel; this is expected and fades gradually. Photo follow-up after you return lets your surgeon review the scar's progress from a distance. Pack a good sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat, as the healing inner corners are sensitive to sun for several months.