What drives double eyelid surgery?

Double eyelid surgery is an unfamiliar phrase to many people in New Zealand, but in China it’s one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. Why are Chinese women opting for this surgery, and how do their motivations shift depending on whether they live in China or abroad?

University of Auckland doctoral graduate Min Li, born in a small city in Sichuan, southwestern China, became curious about cosmetic surgery as a teenager. After moving to New Zealand and completing her bachelors and masters degrees, she decided to look into the factors motivating people to get this surgery and whether they differed depending on place.

“With the booming cosmetic surgery industry in China and my interest in consumer behaviour, I wanted to understand the decisions Chinese consumers make about cosmetic surgery and the reasons behind them,” says Min who celebrated with family and friends at her graduation ceremony on 19 September.

“Having lived in New Zealand for many years, I also wanted to see if living in a Western country would change women’s perspectives and how they compare to those who have always lived in China.”

Also known as Asian blepharoplasty, the cosmetic procedure creates an upper eyelid fold in an eyelid that doesn’t have a crease. According to the study, most participants considered double eyelid surgery a minor operation, albeit technically advanced, and they wanted small changes that enhanced their beauty while preserving their natural features.

Min found that the primary motivations for the procedure among women in China and Chinese women living in New Zealand included improving appearance, enhancing psychological well-being and achieving a desired look without the difficulty and time associated with applying makeup.

Overall, the doctoral graduate says the New Zealand group showed more acceptance of different beauty ideals, suggesting that living in a Western culture had some influence.

She says one of the most interesting findings was the influence of mothers on the decision to undergo surgery.

“This was true regardless of where the participants were living. In many cases, mothers were directly involved in making decisions for their daughters, such as taking them to consultations and selecting the hospital and surgeon. Some interviewees mentioned that their mothers had undergone double eyelid surgery before their own procedures.”

In Chinese culture, family relationships typically play a crucial role, says Min. “When it comes to making significant decisions, parents’ opinions are highly valued, and a mother’s aesthetic preferences and experiences with cosmetic surgery can strongly influence her children.”

Her research also showed that the two most frequently mentioned barriers to undergoing the eyelid surgery were cost and lack of parental support.

Min says her doctoral research wasn’t always smooth sailing; the global pandemic reared its head and she couldn’t return home for several years to visit family and friends. She also hit some road bumps when analysing and organising her research data.

Despite the distance between her and her family, she says their support helped her persevere through a challenging, and sometimes lonely, time.

Meanwhile, her Business School supervisors, Dr Sandra Smith and Associate Professor Karen Fernandez, played a significant role in supporting Min, a self-described introvert.

“They not only provided guidance and insights into my research but also genuinely cared about my well-being and mental health.”

She says while the subject matter of her doctorate is somewhat niche, consumer behaviour, specifically in terms of cosmetic surgery is an area she will continue to explore.

“During my PhD, my interest in cosmetic surgery, focusing on how consumers make decisions about beauty and identity, grew even stronger. I plan to continue researching in this area, either in Aotearoa or back home in China.”