How Do You Know If You Have Hooded Eyelids?

To determine if you have hooded eyelids, start by observing the natural crease line. If, when your eyes are open, this line is less visible or entirely hidden, it's a strong indicator of hooded eyes. The presence of excess skin creates a noticeable heaviness or drooping effect that influences the overall shape of your eyes. This combination of factors points towards the distinctive features of hooded eyelids. 

What Causes Hooded Eyelids?

Understanding the factors contributing to hooded eyes is crucial for making informed decisions about potential treatments.

Here's a breakdown of the causes:

• Ageing: As you age, your skin loses some of its elasticity. This can result in sunken eyelids over time.
• Genetics: Your family's inherited traits can have a big impact on how your facial features develop, including whether you develop hooded eyes.
• Weight Loss: Losing a significant amount of weight can result in loose skin around your eyes, potentially leading to the development of hooded eyelids.
• Lifestyle Habits: When you engage in habits like spending too much time in the sun and smoking, you speed up the ageing process of your skin. This, in turn, makes the hooded eye condition worse.

Recognising these factors will allow you to have a more thorough understanding to make more informed decisions about treatments.  

When Should You Treat Hooded Eyes?

Deciding when to treat hooded eyes depends on various factors, including:

• Visual Impairment: If your eyelids are getting in the way of your vision, affecting things like driving or reading, it's a good idea to think about treatment for hooded eyelids.
• Aesthetic Preference: if the way your hooded eyes look bothers you or impacts your self confidence then treatment is recommended.
• Functional Discomfort: When the weight of your eyelids starts causing discomfort or strain, getting treatment for hooded eyelids can bring relief and improve your overall comfort.
• Increasing Severity: If the condition gets worse over time, taking action can prevent further issues and lead to more effective results.

Consult with one of our expert surgeons to find out the best course of action based on your specific circumstances.   

How To Fix Hooded Eyes?

Addressing how to fix hooded eyelids involves a multifaceted approach. Here are some natural strategies to treat hooded eyes: 

Regular Exercise

Engaging in regular exercise can improve overall skin health and help reduce the appearance of hooded eyes. Focus on exercises that target the muscles around the eyes and forehead.

Sun Protection

Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is essential. Use sunscreen and wear sunglasses to prevent premature ageing and minimise the impact of sun damage on eyelid skin.

Adequate Hydration

Staying hydrated is beneficial for skin elasticity. Proper hydration can contribute to maintaining the firmness of the eyelid skin, potentially reducing the prominence of hooded eyes.

Eye Massage

Gently massaging the eyelids and the surrounding areas can promote blood circulation and may help alleviate the appearance of hooded eyes.

Healthy Diet

A diet rich in antioxidants and nutrients supports skin health. Include foods high in vitamins C and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, to promote skin elasticity.

Adequate Sleep

Ensure you get sufficient quality sleep. Lack of sleep can contribute to skin sagging and may accentuate the appearance of hooded eyes. 

What Are the Best Surgical Hooded Eye Treatments?

The best surgical treatment for hooded eyelids include upper blepharoplasty and brow lifts. Hooded eye surgery, specifically aimed at lifting hooded eyes, provide a permanent solution to drooping upper eyelids.

• Upper blepharoplasty: This operation removes excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids which can significantly reduce the hooded appearance. It creates a more defined eyelid crease, making the eyes appear more open and alert. The surgery for hooded eyes involves making a small cut along the crease of the upper eyelids after which any extra skin and fat causing the eyelids to droop is removed. The incision is sewn shut using very precise techniques that minimise any visible scarring.
• Brow Lift: This cosmetic procedure is designed to lift the eyebrows and give the forehead a rejuvenated look. During the operation, surgeons adjust the skin and soft tissue in the forehead thereby smoothing out any wrinkles. By lifting the deeper muscles of the forehead, a brow lift raises the eyebrows and pulls up the upper eyelids, resulting in a smooth forehead and eyes that appear more open.

What is the Best Treatment for Hooded Eyelids?

The best treatment for hooded eyes depends on individual factors, including the underlying cause of hooding and the extent of droopiness affecting the eyelids.

For individuals with minimal sagging, non-surgical treatments might be sufficient. These procedures can include dermal fillers to quickly boost the appearance of your eyelids. However, non-surgical interventions do not offer permanent solutions and will need to be repeated to sustain desired results.

On the other hand, if you experience significantly hooded eyelids, a more permanent hooded eye surgery treatment, like an upper blepharoplasty or brow lift, might be needed. Upper blepharoplasty gets rid of the extra skin and fat that droops over your eyelids without affecting your eyebrows. Meanwhile, a brow lift works by raising the brows, thus lifting the upper eyelids as well.

The right surgical procedure depends on your specific individual features. For instance, if you have naturally high-placed eyebrows, it would be more optimal for you to target the excess skin hanging over your upper eyelids through an upper blepharoplasty procedure. Meanwhile, if your eyebrows are the main cause of hooded eyelids, a brow lift might be more suitable.

Speak with one of our specialists to find out what the best treatment is for your specific circumstances.  

Frequently Asked Questions