The hooded eye is a condition where excess skin drops down from the eyebrow bone and partially or totally covers the eyelids. It affects the brow line, usually towards the outer edge of the eye. Ladies with hooded eyelids may have little or no eyebrows for eye shadow but a crease. Aside from limiting makeup options, hooded eyes may affect the facial appearance or obstruct vision in severe cases for both genders.
In this article, we cover the causes of hooded eyes and the best treatments.
Hooded eyes
Hooded eyes got their name from the creasy “hood” that forms over the eyelid. This condition often affects both eyes but, on rare occasions, affects just one eye. Hooded eyes do not pose any medical threat in mild cases. However, it could obscure vision if the excess flap of skin or eyebrow tissues starts sagging and extending over the eyes due to ageing. This condition is known as dermatochalasis.
Whether it is for cosmetic purposes or already affecting your vision, it’s worth seeking corrective remedies.
Difference between hooded eyes and droopy eyelids
Hooded eyes are often confused with droopy eyes. Although they both involve the eyes, they are two different cosmetic and medical issues.
Droppy eyelid, also known as ptosis, is a condition whereby the eyelids are sitting lower than usual, which may lead to a struggle to keep the eyes open. The eyelids descend significantly due to detachment or stretching of the muscle that lifts the eyelids. Although some ptosis can be hereditary, in most cases, it’s due to ageing, eye injury or underlying medical conditions.
Hooded eyes occur when the excess skin drops down the brow bone to cover the eyelids, thus forming a crease. Here the sagging skin is the one descending over the eyelids and, in severe cases, over the eyes. However, the eyelids maintain their position and are not moving down more than usual.
Ptosis patients can still have visible eyelids. In some cases, some people do have both droopy and hooded eyelids at the same time.
How to tell if you have a hooded eye
Look into the mirror, opening both eyes comfortably. Is a part or all of your eyelid covered by the skin directly under your brow bones? If your answer is yes, you most likely have hooded eyelids.
Here is another test. Is the skin below your brow bone coming close to or touching your lash line? If yes, you may have hooded eyelids.
Causes of Hooded Eyes
- Genetics
This is not surprising because quite a several health conditions are transferable through genes. If one of the parents has a hooded eye shape, there’s a high chance of one or all children being born with hooded eyes.
- Ageing
As we grow older, the muscles in the body get weaker. The facial muscles are on the frontline for this. As a person ages, the muscles supporting the eyebrows start to sag or lose tone. When this happens, the eyebrows droop and push down the fat and soft tissues covering the eye socket, causing the eyelids to have a hooded effect. Skin sagging due to loss of collagen can also cause hooded eyes.
- Trauma
According to research, damage to the intracranial, extratemporal or infratemporal facial nerve can also trigger hooded eyes. This situation is often regarded as traumatic facial palsy and can be corrected through physiotherapy.
- Medical treatments
Some medical treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, can speed up a patient’s ageing process and affect the skin tissues, thereby causing the eyebrows to droop.
How to fix hooded eyes
Hooded eyes do not harm medically, so treatment is not necessary. However, as you age and your eye skin starts sagging, the excess skin over the eyelids may obstruct your vision. Due to personal preferences, some people look for ways to get rid of their hooded eyes to look more aesthetically appealing.
These treatments include;
Brow lift for hooded eyes
A non-surgical brow lift is a noninvasive procedure that tightens and raises the skin around the forehead and eyebrows.
A brow lift can remedy hooded eyes caused by dropping eyebrows and not too much excess skin drooping over the eyelids. A brow lift can lift heavy eyebrows that hang over the bone above the eye socket and eyelid. It can create more space between the brow bones and the eyebrows.
A brow lift can be achieved with botox or PDO Thread. Brow lift also varies based on the procedure. Your personal preference, age and condition will be considered to determine the best method for you. Dr Nina utilises the best technique to help lift your eyebrows and hooded eyelids.
- Botox brow lift for hooded eyes
Mild hooded eyes can be lifted with a botox brow lift. Botox is a low-risk procedure with minimal downtime. It works by relaxing the muscles between the brow and the eye. This will typically lift sagging brows. However, it can also be strategically targeted towards raising the skin draping over the eyelids.
Before the commencement of the procedure, Dr Nina will assess the strength and location of the muscles near your eyelids( corrugator muscle). She may apply topical anaesthetic to prevent pain during the procedure. The botox injection will be administered to your muscles to produce the desired effect.
- PDO thread for hooded eyes
PDO thread is another minimally invasive procedure that can improve your hooded eyes. It also tightens and lifts eyebrows drooping over the eyelids. PDO thread also boosts collagen production around the eye to prevent wrinkles and give the eyes a younger look. The procedure involves inserting the thread into the skin to lift the eyebrows.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty or an upper eyelids surgery removes excess skin drooping over the eyebrows and touching the eyelashes. It is an outpatient procedure which does require you to sleep over at the clinic as long as there are no complications. You may experience a few days of time and side effects such as swelling, pain, light sensitivity and blurry vision. However, your doctors will administer pain relievers to address the side effects.
Makeup
A little trick to temporarily get rid of hooded eyes is applying makeup. Makeups make a face appear brighter, younger, and more awake.
There are various hooded eyes eyeliner styles that help brighten up the face. When applying makeup on hooded eyes, a precise eyeliner such as a liquid liner pen or a cream liner is ideal. The focus should also be on the outer corner and upper waterline. The lower lid should be avoided as much as possible.
- Eye drops
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the sale of eye drops that can help lift droopy eyelids. An example of these eye drops is Upneeq.
The best treatment for hooded eyes
The best treatment for your hooded eyes depends on your peculiar condition and age. Book an appointment with expert cosmetic doctors like DR Nina to examine your eyes and discuss the best treatment.
FAQs
Hooded eyes occur as a result of different factors. While some people are born with it due to genetics, underlying fat or muscle is another factor. Ageing is another factor because the skin loses its elasticity as we age.
Hooded eyes can be genetic. If a family has a member with hooded eyes, maybe a father or mother, there is a high chance of the children being born with hooded eyes or later developing them in future.
Hooded eyes are a common trait. Most people have excess skin that folds over their eyeliner, causing a hood on the lash line. Some people even find it attractive.
Hooded eyes are familiar in people, regardless of age.
Hooded eyes are recessive traits caused by genetic makeup. Ageing is a significant factor that causes hooded eyes. However, people are also born with it.
Some types of surgeries can help with improving hooded eyelids to be better. One of them is Blepharoplasty. This surgical treatment involves the removal of excess skin, fat and muscles from the eyelids. Blepharoplasty corrects not only hooded eyes but also improves visual function when extra skin has been removed.
A botox brow lift treats and manipulates droopy eyebrows or the eyebrow position. Botox helps target the facial muscles and relaxes the skin to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
You can try a resistance workout if you do not want to go through surgical procedures to fix your hooded eyes. According to the National Stroke Association, your hooded eyes may improve if you do a resistance workout every hour. To perform this workout, raise your eyebrows, place a finger underneath and hold them up for a few seconds while trying to close them.
You can also try using chamomile tea bags, cucumber slices, and eating more grapes to improve hooded eyelids.
Final words
Hooded eyes are caused by sagging eyebrows and soft tissues that cause a bulge that hides the upper eyelids. However, some people are born with it as a result of ageing and other medical conditions for some people. Regardless of whatever caused your hood eyes, ensure you consult expert cosmetic doctors to choose the best treatment procedure for you.
