Hooded eyes, also known as hooded eyelids, are characterized by a fold of skin that partially covers the upper eyelid, often making the eyelid appear less visible. This condition can result in a heavy-lidded look, obstruct vision in severe cases, and complicate eye makeup application. Many people wonder what causes hooded eyes and how to address this concern effectively.
While hooded types of eyelids are typically harmless, they can affect self-confidence and quality of life. Fortunately, there are treatments for hooded eyelids that can improve appearance and, in some cases, alleviate vision issues.
Read on to learn more about hooded eyes, its causes and how to treat them to improve the appearance of your eyes.
What are Hooded Eyes?
Hooded eyes refer to an eye shape characterised by excess skin and soft tissue around the eyebrow, covering the eyelid but not the eye itself. This condition is named for how the skin forms a "hood" over the eyelid, creating a visible crease.
Some individuals may ask, what causes hooded eyes? While genetics is a primary factor, ageing also plays a significant role. Over time, the loss of skin elasticity can result in hooded types of eyelids, creating a droopy or hooded effect.
This isn't just a small flap of skin; it can extend all the way down, reaching the lash line. When someone has hooded eyes, it can give the appearance of smaller eyes and a somewhat tired or sleepy look due to the excess skin hanging over the eyelids. In severe cases where the skin droops low enough to cover a significant portion of the eyelid, it can potentially obstruct vision and cause difficulty seeing.
Hooded eyes don't always affect both eyes simultaneously. Some individuals may have only one droopy eyelid, but more commonly, both upper eyelids are affected, with an extra fold of skin over both left and right eyelids.
In addition to hooded eyes, some individuals experience sunken eyes, where the area under the eyes appears hollow or shadowed. Check out our detailed guide on what are sunken eyes to learn more.
What Causes Hooded Eyes?
Several factors contribute to hooded eyelids:
- Genetics: Many people inherit hooded types of eyelids from their family.
- Ageing: Loss of skin elasticity and gravity can cause hooding over time.
- Health Conditions: While rare, some neurological or muscular conditions may mimic the appearance of hooded eyes.
What are the Treatments for Hooded Eyes?
Both surgical and non-surgical options are available for treatment for hooded eyelids. Let’s explore these in detail:
Surgical Treatments
- Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
- Brow Lift
Non-surgical Treatments
- Dermal Fillers
- Laser Therapy
- Thread Lift
- Sofwave Treatment
Home Remedies
- Cold Compress
- Strategic Makeup Application
- Eyelid Exercise
- Cucumber Slices
- Chamomile Tea Bags
Let’s look at each hooded eye treatment in detail.
Surgical Treatments for Hooded Eyes
The best way to permanently fix hooded eyes is by having eyelid surgery. It can provide a long-term solution for droopy hooded eyes. Several types of surgeries can help with hooded eyes, such as upper eyelid surgery and brow lifts.
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery, also known as an eyelid lift, is an effective treatment option for hooded lids. During the surgery, the extra skin and fat are removed, and the muscle that controls the eyelid is tightened. This helps raise the eyelid to a better position. The surgery is simple, and recovery is quick. Afterwards, you should be able to see better witewashout straining.
Brow Lift
A brow lift procedure helps to make the eyes look younger and raises the eyebrows. It can be done with injections or surgery. There are different types of surgical techniques for a brow lift, including direct brow lift, limited incision or pre-trichial temporal brow lift, endoscopic brow lift, and mid-forehead brow lift.
Non-surgical Treatments for Hooded Eyes
A lot of people wonder if it's possible to improve hooded eyes without having surgery. If you're not prepared or don't want to go through the process of surgery, there are some non-surgical treatments for hooded eyelids that can help. However, keep in mind that these treatments are temporary and won't give you the same dramatic results as surgery.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers, such as fillers based on hyaluronic acid, can be strategically injected into the brow and eye area to enhance and sculpt the skin, reducing the visibility of hooded eyes. These fillers increase volume in specific areas, which can also help smooth out wrinkles and restore a more youthful appearance to the eyes.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy can reduce the appearance of hooded eyes by targeting the area around the eyelids with a focus on tightening and firming the skin. The heat that the laser produces stimulates collagen production, which can result in tighter and more youthful-looking skin around the eyes.
Thread Lifts
Thread lifts involve the use of dissolvable threads to lift and reposition sagging or hooded skin around the eyelids. This minimally invasive technique can provide a subtle yet noticeable lift to the eyes, helping them appear more vibrant and youthful.
Sofwave Treatment
The Sofwave procedure is an advanced technique that stimulates collagen deep within your skin using ultrasonic energy without the need for needles or incisions. This technique gently tightens the skin around the eyes, giving the area a more lifted and youthful appearance. Because Sofwave is FDA-approved and requires minimal downtime, you can return to your regular activities immediately.
Home Remedies for Hooded Eyes
If you are looking for natural ways to improve the look of hooded eyes without surgery, here are some home remedies that could help lift your eyes.
Cold Compress
The skin can be tightened by cold temperatures. A simple hack is to use cold water to rejuvenate the skin surrounding your eyes. You can achieve this by soaking a fabric in cold water and then softly placing it on your eyelids. This may assist in making them appear more alert and rejuvenated.
Eyelid Exercise
Regularly engage in specific eye exercises as they may assist in strengthening the muscles around the eyes, potentially resulting in a gradual decrease in hooding over time. It is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified professional on the correct technique.
Cucumber Slices
Cucumbers have traditionally been used as a natural solution for relieving tired, red, and swollen eyes. Their anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe and diminish puffiness. Additionally, they provide a cooling sensation when chilled, adding to their benefits. You can try placing refrigerated cucumber slices over your eyes for a revitalising experience.
Chamomile Tea Bags
Chamomile tea bags have natural anti-inflammatory properties. If you soak them in hot water, let them cool, and then gently apply them to closed eyelids for 10-15 minutes, it might help reduce puffiness and soothe delicate eye area.
Final Thoughts: Hooded Eyes & Available Treatment Options
Hooded eyes occur when the eyebrow and the soft tissue around the eyes begin to droop, creating a bulge that can obscure the upper eyelid. While some individuals are born with hooded eyes, for most people, this condition is linked to the ageing process.
Hooded eye treatments range from surgical options like blepharoplasty to non-invasive solutions like laser therapy. Home remedies, such as cold compresses and cucumber slices, may offer temporary relief for some symptoms.
If you're looking for quick, non-surgical improvements, you can now find LED eye patches online. They offer a convenient solution to help reduce puffiness and rejuvenate the eye area, making them a popular choice for at-home eye care treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions On Hooded Eyes
What age is best for hooded eye surgery?
Most eyelid surgeries are done to improve the look of ageing eyelids in patients over 55, but some younger patients in their 20s or 30s can also benefit from blepharoplasty.
Are hooded eyes more common in certain ethnic groups?
Hooded eyes are most often found in Eastern ethnic groups, where it's considered the most common eye shape. People from other parts of the world may also have specific eye shapes linked to eyelid hooding.
When should I worry about a hooded eyelid?
A hooded eyelid is usually not a big health concern. If it's affecting your vision or you don't like how it looks, you can consider treatment options like surgery. However, if you suddenly notice a hooded eyelid in just one eye or if other troubling symptoms accompany it, it's best to contact a healthcare professional.
How can I quickly fix hooded eyelids?
You can try some home remedies like using chamomile tea bags, applying cucumber slices, or using iced water to reduce puffiness. For more noticeable improvement, non-surgical treatments like muscle relaxant injections or dermal filler injections can give rapid and natural-looking results. If the drooping is severe, surgical treatments such as an upper blepharoplasty or a brow lift can bring almost instant changes to the shape and appearance of your eyes.
