Asian Eyelid Surgery San Mateo & Redwood City

Achieve naturally beautiful Asian eyelids with the expertise of Korean-trained facial plastic surgeons.

A Natural-Looking Crease for a More Beautiful You

At Cheng Plastic Surgery in San Mateo, Asian eyelid surgery—often called “double eyelid surgery”—is one of our most requested procedures by patients of Asian heritage. This custom eyelid enhancement is designed to create or redefine a natural-looking upper lid crease while preserving cultural identity and delivering balanced, elegant results.

As double board-certified facial plastic surgeons with personal and professional ties to the Asian community, Drs. Elbert and Jacqueline Cheng are uniquely qualified to perform this delicate procedure with a harmonious blend of surgical expertise and aesthetic artistry. Dr. Elbert Cheng brings over 25 years of experience and Korean-based training in eyelid surgery, having performed thousands of successful Asian eyelid procedures.

What Is Asian Eyelid Surgery?

Asian eyelid surgery—also known as Asian blepharoplasty—is a highly specialized set of procedures designed to enhance the upper eyelid while honoring the patient’s natural anatomy and ethnic identity. While many patients seek to create or refine a visible upper lid crease, the artistry of this surgery goes far beyond crease formation alone.

Depending on your unique goals, Asian eyelid surgery may involve one or more of the following techniques:

Crease creation or refinement (double eyelid formation)
Sub-brow lift or direct lateral brow lift for improved lid contour and eye openness
Epicanthoplasty to reshape the inner corner of the eye
Canthoplasty or lateral eye-widening to enhance horizontal eye length
Ptosis repair to correct eyelid drooping and improve symmetry

We offer both incisional and non-incisional approaches, based on factors like skin thickness, eyelid anatomy, and your desired level of correction.

Our Artistic Approach to Double Eyelid Surgery

At Cheng Plastic Surgery, no two eyelids are ever treated the same. Your transformation begins with a highly personalized consultation, where we’ll assess your anatomy and discuss your ideal eyelid shape, crease style, and overall eye aesthetics. Dr. Cheng will walk you through your customized plan using detailed illustrations and surgical sketching, allowing you to visualize your future results before any incisions are made.

This collaborative approach ensures that every detail, from crease height to symmetry and structure, aligns with your preferences and complements your facial features.

Designing Your Ideal Eyelid Crease

One of the most defining aspects of your surgical plan is the shape and height of your new crease. During your consultation, we’ll review a variety of aesthetic options, including:

Parallel Creases: Often more prominent, with the fold running equidistant from the lash line
Tapered Creases: Also called inside-outside or outside-inside creases, these narrow at the inner corner and flare outward
Hybrid or Westernized Creases: For patients seeking a bolder, more open look
Crease Heights: Small (subtle), medium (balanced), or high (dramatic)

Dr. Cheng will help you determine the best style for your anatomy and goals, with reference images and past patient examples to guide the conversation.

Key Considerations We’ll Discuss

During your consultation, we take the time to understand not just what you want to change, but why. These conversations guide your surgical plan, ensuring your results align with your features, goals, and identity.

Parallel vs. Tapered Crease

One of the first choices you'll make is the style of your upper eyelid crease. A parallel crease runs equidistant from the lash line, often creating a more prominent, defined appearance. A tapered crease (inside-outside or outside-inside) narrows near the inner corner and widens outward, creating a more natural or subtle fold depending on the anatomy. Your eye shape, brow position, and aesthetic preferences all play a role in determining which style is right for you.

Ideal Crease Height and Depth

Crease height refers to the vertical distance between your lash line and the new fold, while depth describes how prominent or shadowed the crease appears. A low crease height creates a subtle, understated look, while a medium or high crease can give a more open and youthful gaze. Dr. Cheng will help guide this decision based on your natural anatomy, skin type, and how much visibility you want when your eyes are open.

Epicanthoplasty (Inner Corner Reshaping)

For patients with a prominent epicanthic fold, the skin fold covering the inner corner of the eye, epicanthoplasty can enhance the appearance of the eye by revealing more of the inner corner and softening the curvature. This delicate procedure can make the eyes appear wider, more balanced, and more symmetrical, especially when combined with double eyelid surgery.

Ptosis Repair (Correcting Drooping Eyelids)

Ptosis is a condition in which the upper eyelid sits lower than ideal, sometimes even obstructing vision. In many cases, patients are unaware they have mild or moderate ptosis until it's evaluated during a consultation. If needed, ptosis repair can be performed during your eyelid procedure to lift the eyelid, improve symmetry, and create a more alert, rested appearance.

Am I a Candidate for Asian Eyelid Surgery?

You may be a great candidate for this procedure if:

You were born without a visible upper eyelid crease
Your eyelid shape makes eyes appear smaller or tired
Your eyelashes are partially hidden or pointing downward
You desire a more open or symmetrical eye appearance
You have difficulty applying eyeliner or eye makeup
You are in good general health and not currently pregnant or breastfeeding

We also offer lower eyelid surgery to address under-eye puffiness or bags, often in combination with upper eyelid enhancement.

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What to Expect During the Procedure

Asian eyelid surgery is performed in our private, fully accredited surgical suite in San Mateo. The procedure typically takes about one hour, depending on your anatomy and whether other enhancements are included. Surgical Steps:

We begin by gently numbing the eyelid area. IV sedation is also available for enhanced comfort.
The planned crease is marked precisely before any incisions.
A small amount of skin, fat, and sometimes muscle is removed or repositioned to create the desired shape.
The incision is hidden in the newly formed crease, making it virtually invisible once healed.

Please note: While consultations and follow-up visits can be scheduled at our San Mateo office, all eyelid surgeries are performed at our fully accredited surgical suite in Saratoga.

Recovery and Aftercare

Most patients return to work or school within 7 to 10 days. During your recovery, we recommend:

Keeping your head elevated while resting
Applying cold compresses to reduce swelling
Avoiding contact lenses for one week
Using prescribed ointments or drops as directed
Limiting screen time and strenuous activity during early healing

You may notice some swelling, bruising, and mild blurriness during the first few days. These symptoms are normal and will resolve with proper care. Results become more refined over 4 to 6 weeks, with final outcomes visible in several months.

Why Choose Cheng Plastic Surgery in San Mateo?

Dr. Elbert and Dr. Jacqueline Cheng are more than facial plastic surgeons—they are trusted specialists in Asian facial aesthetics. As a sibling team with deep cultural insight and a strong reputation within the Bay Area’s Asian community, they offer a unique blend of artistry, precision, and sensitivity in every procedure.

For the past five years, they’ve been consistently recognized by Mercury News readers as the Bay Area’s Best Plastic Surgeons—most recently earning the award in 2025.

What Sets Us Apart:

Trained in Korea with a focus on advanced Asian eyelid surgery techniques
Double board-certified in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
Deep understanding of Asian eyelid anatomy and aesthetics
Over two decades of combined surgical experience
Personalized, artistic approach using sketch-based planning
Fully accredited, private surgical center in the heart of Silicon Valley
Meticulous attention to symmetry, proportion, and natural results

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Ready to Enhance Your Eyes with Subtlety and Confidence?

If you’re considering Asian eyelid surgery in San Mateo, Palo Alto, Burlingame, or Atherton, we invite you to schedule a consultation with the caring team at Cheng Plastic Surgery. From your initial vision to your final results, we’ll guide you with honesty, artistry, and truly personalized care.

Let your eyes reflect your most confident self. Contact us today to begin your transformation.