Examination of the Perception of Double
Eyelid Beauty Among Asian Americans
presented by:
Jenny Paek
Department of Environmental Analysis & Design
May 13,2006
Brief History
M. Mikamo performed the first documented
double eyelid surgery
(Obata & Sergile 1997)
Purpose was not to create Caucasian eyes
Create eyes that were attractive in the Japanese
society
Research Question
Can double eyelid surgery be an
influence on the perception of Asian
Americans?
Hypotheses
Although most non-Asians cannot distinguish single
eyelid from double eyelid, double eyelid does have
an influence on the perception of Asian Americans.
Non-Asians would feel more comfortable seeing an
Asian face with double eyelid.
Asian Americans would like to undergo double eyelid
surgery to be accepted by the majority.
What is Double Eyelid?
Single Eyelid
Double Eyelid
Who has DE?
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asian Indians
Some East Asians
Some Pacific Islanders
Some Southeast Asians
People With Single Eyelid…
Can obtain DE by:
Undergoing DE Surgery
Using tape
Using glue
Using fiber thread
What is Double Eyelid
Surgery?
Cutting Method:
Crescent shaped piece of skin removed out of
upper eyelid
Two sides are stitched together
“Double eyelid” fold is created
There are other methods (non-cutting):
Laser
Suture
Surgical Procedure
Who Can Undergo DE
Surgery?
Anyone can but mostly Asians
Before and After…
Pictures of Asian
women and men
before and after DE
surgery
Reasons for DE Surgery
Cosmetic:
Enhance eyes
Create a crease
Easier to apply eyeliner
Symmetry
Medical:
Poking of eyelashes
Data
Convenience based samples
UCI students
Surveys of pre and post-surgery
110 responses
Data
Asians: 60%
Asian
White: 21%
White
Black
Hispanic: 18%
Hispanic
Black: 1%
Data
# of Responses
Surveys
58
56
54
52
50
Type of Survey
Pre-Surgery
Post-Surgery
Pre-surgery Photo
Comparison Of Eyes Only
3.5
3
2.5
2
Mean
1.5
1
0.5
0
Asian
White
Black
Significant at the .01 level
Hispanic
Post-surgery Photo
Comparison of Eyes Only
3
2.5
2
Mean 1.5
1
0.5
0
Asian
White
Black
Significant at the .05 level
Hispanic
Differences of Mean
Comparison of All Pictures
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
Black & Hispanic &
White
White
Black & Hispanic & Asian &
Asian
Asian
White
Ethnicities
Black &
Hispanic
Interesting Findings
When comparing all of the facial features’ ratings,
biggest difference between Black and White
When comparing eye ratings, biggest difference
between pre-surgery Asian and White
When comparing eye ratings from the postsurgery survey, biggest difference between Black
and White
Implications
Whites are the Golden Standard
Unintentionally, everyone uses Whites as the
standard of beauty
Double eyelid surgery does impact the
perception of Asian Americans
Future Studies
Larger sample
Gender issues
Level of acculturation and percentage of
double eyelid surgery
Differences among generations and
percentage of double eyelid surgery
Acknowledgements
Dr. Zuzana Bic
Dr. Valerie Jenness
Rita Petersen
UROP
For More Information
Contact me at:
Jenny Paek
University of California, Irvine
Department of Environmental, Analysis & Design
[email protected]
949-400-0288
Beauty is in the eye of
the beholder.