Face condition

Hooded eyelids

If you have hooded eyes, you may be considering various non-surgical or surgical procedures. Knowing the efficacy of different treatments is crucial to making an informed decision that suits your needs. Dr Adil Sarwar has specialised in treating hooded eyelids for over a decade. He recognises that clinics often suggest numerous unproven and ineffective procedures as potential treatment options, which is regrettable. However, he is well-versed in distinguishing the most effective approaches.

Written and clinically reviewed by Dr Adil Sarwar MBBS, BSc, MRCGPGMC Registered Doctor — GMC No. 7085079

At a glance

Common signs

Excess skin over the upper lid crease
A heavy or tired appearance
Reduced visible lid space

Common causes

Natural ageing and loss of elasticity
Genetics
Allergies and environmental stress

Treated with

Botox Brow Lift

Everything You Need to Know

Dr Sarwar opts for evidence-based treatments to address hooded eyes. According to him, patients seeking assistance for this condition should consider wrinkle-relaxing injections to lift the eyebrows or surgical blepharoplasty. These options have proven efficacy in his professional opinion.

Treatment Options

Option 1. Botox Brow Lift

A non-surgical procedure through muscle relaxing injections- suitable for those who may not need or want surgery for their hooded eyelids. Dr Sarwar is a renowned specialist in this procedure, known for its minimal recovery time and quick execution. It offers an appealing solution for individuals seeking a more youthful appearance or addressing visual concerns caused by hooded eyelids, all without invasive surgery. Strategic injections relax specific muscles around the eyes, lifting the eyebrows and reducing the severity of the hooding. These injections often result in a smoother, more refreshed appearance.

Click here to read more about this procedure.

Option 2. Blepharoplasty

This outpatient surgical procedure (Blepharoplasty) removes excess skin from the upper or lower eyelids and reshapes them to give a more open appearance. We do not offer this procedure at Skin Science Clinic but can refer patients to oculoplastic consultants specialising in eyelid surgery.

How to Tell if You Have Hooded Eyes?

If you’re curious whether you have hooded eyes, there are several indicators to look out for. Hooded eyes are characterised by a fold of skin that drapes over the crease, resulting in a smaller and less visible eyelid. To determine if you possess this eye shape, take a moment to observe your natural eye appearance in a mirror. If the upper eyelid covers a significant portion of the eyelid when your eyes are open, you likely have hooded eyes. Additionally, applying eyeshadow on the mobile lid may be challenging because it tends to disappear when your eyes are open. Seeking guidance from makeup artists or watching tutorials tailored to hooded eyes can provide valuable tips and tricks for enhancing and accentuating your eye shape.Examining your eyebrows is one way to determine if you have hooded eyes. People with hooded eyes have an eyebrow arch that is much lower than those who do not. Other physical traits associated with hooded eyes are deep-set eyes, a prominent brow bone and small eyelashes. If you have any of these characteristics combined with the previously mentioned signs, you will likely have hooded eyes.However, having hooded eyes can be a beautiful and unique feature. While some may view hooded eyes as a ‘flaw’, they can be treated with the proper techniques and products to show their natural beauty.

What are the causes of hooded eyelids?

Hooded eyelids are primarily caused by a process of natural ageing.As we age, our skin loses elasticity and collagen; gravity starts to affect all body areas, including the delicate skin around the eyes. Facial bone density also reduces through ageing, reducing structural support to the skin in the upper eyelid area. These anatomical changes result in an excess fold of skin hanging over the lash line, giving the appearance of a ‘hood’ on the upper eyelids.Besides ageing, genetics also play a significant role in hooded eyelids. Some people are born with these characteristics due to ethnicity or familial traits.We have successfully treated patients who suffer from Horner Syndrome or Myasthenia Gravis, both of which can lead to droopy eyes/eyelids.

Should I See a Doctor for Hooded Eyes?

If your hooded eyes are due to allergies or environmental stressors, you should see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the issue. Allergies can cause inflammation and swelling, which can result in hooding.

What is the difference between hooded eyelids and ptosis?

Hooded eyes are a typical eye shape caused by excess skin drooping over the eyelid, often resulting in heavy lids. The condition is not necessarily unhealthy or symptomatic of any other disease, although it can be aesthetically undesirable for some people. On the other hand, ptosis is a medical condition with drooping of the upper eyelid. Ptosis can cause a significant reduction in vision and is often treated with surgery, Botox, or eye drops to restore the lid’s normal position.

Common questions

The key advantages of a botox brow lift rather than surgery are:

1) Non-surgical – no need for general or local anaesthesia, and no scars!

2) Often described as virtually pain-free with minimal downtime

3) Cost effective

4) Simultaneously softens vertical lines between the eyebrows and also “crow feet” around the eyes

The main disadvantage of the treatment is that results only last three to four months.

Dr Sarwar performs all the brow lift injectable treatments at the clinic.

a) Dr Sarwar has been performing this procedure for over a decade

b) Dr Sarwar is medically qualified, with a thorough anatomical understanding of the delicate orbital area.

The procedure is not painful; the clinic uses micro-fine needles. If requested, we can administer local anaesthesia to numb the area.

The procedure typically requires 15 minutes to complete.

On average, results can last for approximately three months.

Refrain from using the sauna or steam room for one day following the procedure; otherwise, you can resume your normal activities.

Potential risks associated with the procedure encompass bruising, swelling, and in rare cases, a worsening of the pronounced brow area.

Yes, hooded eyelids can be genetic. People with a familial tendency to develop the condition may find that their hooded eyes become more pronounced as they age.

Dr Sarwar feels that they are ineffective and potentially dangerous.