Eyelid Hooding

Hooded eyelids can be a result of the natural ageing process and genetic factors. From the age of 35, bone regeneration in the face starts to slow down and this continues at a much more accelerated rate after the age of 50. The result is a widening of the orbital rim resulting in the brow and the skin of the upper brow to droop, from losing its underlying support. This is further exacerbated by a loss of collagen and elastin, with other contributing factors including muscle weakness in the levator muscle (the muscle that holds the eyelids up). As this weakens the eyelids start to droop.

The skin around the eyes is the thinnest skin on the entire body, which means that we have to treat it with care. Lifestyle factors that can also contribute to drooping eyelids include smoking, poor diet, UV exposure and even continuous rubbing of the area or the daily routine of removing make up.

If drooping or hooded eyelids are your concern area, there are non-surgical treatments available that can help to tighten the skin and lift the brow as alternatives to a surgical blepharoplasty.

While we cannot completely prevent eyelid hooding due to genetics and the natural ageing process, there are certainly measures you can take to delay their onset or minimise their appearance.

As with many other skin ageing concerns, reducing your exposure to the sun and its harmful rays will help, including wearing a daily sun protection factor. Always opt for a mineral-based formula as this will not cause eye irritation. Other measures include wearing sunglasses and a wide brim hat to shield the eyes, and a good eye cream that contains active ingredients such as peptides, retinols and hyaluronic acid, all of which are beneficial to the skin.

Generally healthier lifestyle choices such as avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol will help to prevent premature ageing of the skin, alongside a good diet that is high in vitamins and antioxidants.

Following your assessment there may be a number of treatment options that will be beneficial for hooded eyes, if you feel that a surgical option is not for you. This may include a single treatment or a combination of treatments for best results. Treatment options include:

1. Botulinum Toxin – this can be used to lift hooded eyes, however its use will depend on the severity of the skin laxity. When certain muscles are relaxed with botulinum toxin others can overcompensate, resulting in a temporary lift to the lateral brow, giving the feeling of the eyes being lifted and more open.
2. Ultherapy® – this is a non-surgical alternative to a face lift and is recognised as Gold Standard for non-surgical skin lifting and tightening. It can be effective in helping to lift looded eyes, using advanced ultrasound energy in the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate the production of natural collagen and elastin, thus restoring the skin’s suppleness and firmness. Ultherapy® is a great treatment option when administered in the forehead and eyebrow area, lifting your brow and eyelids with a tightening effect that can last over a year from a single treatment. It can also be used in combination with other treatments for further rejuvenation.
3. Plasma – a great alternative to a surgical blepharoplasty. The Plasma IQ safely uses a scientific process whereby plasma is generated through focused, targeted micro beams to cause sublation of the tissue, stimulating a collagen remodelling through a process known as Fibroblasting. Through the creation of many tiny wounds to the skin, this initiates the body to stimulate a wound healing process where the cells produce more collagen and elastin. This treatment offers many skin rejuvenating benefits including a tightening and lift of the skin in the eyelid area. A number of sessions will be required to achieve maximum skin tightening, confirmed at your consultation.

Following your consultation your practitioner will advise on the best treatment for optimal results. We will ensure you have a good understanding of how the treatment will benefit your skin, including any downtime expected, treatment duration and costs.

ZO® Skin Health products are specifically designed to be the best skin care for ageing skin by addressing both the visible signs and key triggers of ageing at every phase. It uses only the highest quality active ingredients like retinoids, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Niacinamide, glycolic acid, lactic acid and more.

Following a consultation the best anti-ageing regimen that works to improve lip skin texture, repair your skin barrier and restore a healthy, youthful appearance to your skin will be prescribed.

To help improve the appearance of ageing skin whilst supporting skin elasticity, firmness and collagen, production experts recommend supplements from the Advanced Nutritional Programme (ANP) supplement range alongside a healthy diet. Traditional skincare is turned inside out with the innovative, award-winning range of evidence-based skincare supplements.

While topical skincare only treats 50% of the skin on the surface, ANP potent nutritional blends feed your skin from within for a proven, 100% skincare approach. Your skin will certainly thank you for it.