Hooded eye is one of the common facial problems for women. It’s a condition that some are born with or caused by the loss of facial muscle and decreased production of collagen and elastin in the eyelid skin over time. Eyelid surgery and cosmetic treatments can greatly improve the appearance of hooded eyes.
So how can Botox injections enhance the look of hooded eyes? As known muscle relaxers, injecting Botox between the eyebrows and along the corners of the eyes weakens the muscles that cause eyelid drooping and pulls brows downward, effectively opening up the eyes to appear wide rather than hooded.
Botox is a widely popular cosmetic procedure that minimizes wrinkles between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), forehead, frown lines, and Crow’s feet. It also treats symptoms of droopy eyelid to make the eyes look more vibrant and youthful. It’s also used medically for treating involuntary eye twitching or blepharospasm, crossed eyes syndrome, and lazy eye.
The treatment involves the use of botulinum toxin which is a strong substance used for paralyzing certain muscles. Wrinkles are usually caused by contraction of muscles due to repeated facial movement. As an anti-wrinkle injection, Botox blocks nerve signals from being sent to the muscles so they will not contract and restore the smoothness of the skin.
Dermatology experts also consider Botox as an effective treatment for eyebrow lift. Compared to using dermal fillers for brow lift, a Botox brow lift works by weakening the depressor supercilii muscle that causes the eyebrow to droop downward and lifts the corners of the eyebrow to reduce the presence of hooded eyes. It also enhances the curve of the brow to have a natural-looking arch.
Small doses of the neurotoxin are administered during a Botox treatment for eyebrow lift. The procedure is performed by injecting the Botox into the area between the eyebrows and along the outside of the eyes. With this approach, the frontalis muscle will lift the eyebrows and prevent sagging eyelid. It raises the brow for a few millimeters (at least 4 mm to 6 mm) to open up the eyes.
Typically, an oculoplastic surgeon may prescribe an average dose of 12 to 24 Botox units for treatment around and under the eyes. Depending on a client’s facial anatomy and the initial assessment of the doctor, 4 to 8 units of Botox is used for the outer eye and 20 to 30 units are used to cover the area between the eyebrows. It must be done by licensed professionals to avoid Botox mistakes.
Like other cosmetic surgery, Botox for hooded eyes is only a temporary solution for brow elevation and minimizing forehead wrinkles and creases. Considering that it is a non-surgical procedure, Botox brow lifts are usually done in about minutes and there is almost no downtime for recovery. Results will start to show within a week and can last from 3 months up to 6 months.
People experience and begin aging differently. Aside from the skin gradually becoming thinner from decrease of collagen, varying factors can affect how soon wrinkles and dark spots start to appear on the face. Years of exposure to pollution and sunlight can accelerate the formation of creases and sagging skin.
Likewise, doctors say that Crow’s feet may start showing in the late 20s and early 30s. Dynamic wrinkles such as frown lines also become prominent as the forehead skin becomes pulled from too much muscle movement. The eye skin also becomes more susceptible to sagging as it loses its firmness, exaggerating the appearance of hooded eyes.
However, there are people who are naturally born with skin protruding on the crease of their upper lid. It appears more noticeable over time as the outer brow lowers and increases the amount of skin on the forehead and upper lids. People with saggy eyelids and droopy eyebrow may have the tendency to look distinctly tired all the time and can obstruct their field of vision.
Unlike hooded eyes that are usually induced by age-related changes, droopy eyes may be related to an underlying medical condition. It is also known as ptosis which is characterized by a feeling of eye heaviness due to sagging of the skin around the upper lid. A client may experience drooping in one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral).
Congenital ptosis is a type of drooping that occurs when the upper eyelid is abnormally positioned at birth. Unless treated with surgery, a child with eyelid ptosis will experience visual impairment in their lifetime and may be put at risk for more serious complications like astigmatism and misaligned eyes.
Meanwhile, involutional or acquired ptosis is the term to describe droopy eyes for adults. It shows when the muscle that lifts the eyelid (levator muscle) is overstretched or tears accidentally. This can happen due to damage from excessive eye rubbing, trauma from eye surgery, and sometimes linked to nerve problems and muscle diseases.
Both the problem of hooded lid and droopy eye can be solved with minimally invasive surgeries. However, hooded eyes are much more harmless and don’t carry severe risks of affecting normal eyesight or eyelid function.
Learn more: What are the causes of droopy eyes and how to treat them?
The problems around the eyes differ from each person and it typically requires a personalized treatment plan to ensure that the procedure meets the needs of the client. While Botox is considerably a preferred procedure for hooded eyes, there are other alternatives that can also reduce droopiness and elevate the brows such as:
People with moderate to severe eyelid drooping may be treated with an eyelid lift or blepharoplasty. It is a surgical procedure performed to enhance the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids. It helps remove bags or circles that have formed under the eyes, and reduces excess skin and fat from the lids. It also solves drooping issues that can affect their normal vision.
Depending on the skill of the doctor and the severity of the problem, a surgery may take up to 2 hours. An eye lift requires cutting along the lines of the eyelids. In these small incisions, the plastic surgeon will take the skin from the tissue and remove necessary skin and fat. They’re usually patched up with stitches that take at least 3 to 6 days to heal. Another approach is to cut along the eyelash where the surgeon will skillfully remove loose muscle and skin.
There are several types of eye surgery performed such as upper lid blepharoplasty (removal of bags, excess skin, and muscle folds), lower lid blepharoplasty (reduces puffiness and wrinkles in the lower eyelids), and revision blepharoplasty (only done to correct any complication that come from previous surgery).
A successful upper eyelid surgery will bring improvement in vision and remove heaviness from forehead muscles. It will also reduce feelings of discomfort due to strain from drooping eyelids and eyebrows. However, it should be noted this procedure is the most invasive and requires a long recovery time unlike other nonsurgical treatments.
A thread lift is a viable alternative to a surgical brow lift (where facial soft tissues are lifted and tightened through incisions on the face). Compared to a total facelift, an eyebrow thread lift utilizes surgical threads to create temporary sutures that will visibly lift the skin. There is no need for incision as the threads are usually placed in the top layer of the skin, pulling them upward to instantly elevate the droopy brow and support the upper eyelid.
Thread lifts have faster recovery time unlike the traditional facelift. Minor side effects such as soreness and swelling are common but they can be mitigated with some pain medications and usually go away within a few days. Results of an eyebrow lift also last from 1 to 3 years.
Doctors may also suggest doing a brow lift using fillers. Generally, a dermal filler is a type of injectable that uses gel-like substances to contour the face by restoring smoothness and softening creases. They can also be used to lift the outer edges of the brows to replace lost volume and tighten the skin on the upper eye. A brow lift treatment also reshapes the form of the brow ridges, giving them more height for a better arch. It also provides support so that the eye opens wider to make it look more awake rather than tired.
Resurfacing laser treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that helps rejuvenate the upper face area. It makes use of a laser device to improve the skin’s appearance and eliminate facial flaws. It can be done via ablative laser or nonablative laser.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium lasers are two common laser types that are used for ablative procedures. It works by removing the thin outer layer of the skin and heating the dermis to stimulate production of new collagen. By encouraging collagen growth, the treated area naturally smoothens and tightens to reduce wrinkles. This procedure can be performed to assist endoscopic forehead lift surgery.
Meanwhile, non-ablative treatments are the complete opposite of the ablative lasers. It’s less invasive as it uses non-wounding lasers to heat up the underlying skin tissue without penetrating the surface. This approach uses high-intensity light from intense pulsed light (IPL) devices that are usually converted to heat energy when absorbed by the skin.
The success of each cosmetic treatment varies greatly for different people. It can also be influenced by a variety of factors which can include the client’s desired outcome, their budget, and their physical condition. However, a Botox Brow Lift may have certain advantages such as:
People can get hooded eyes from birth or experience natural sagging of the eyelid due to aging. Fortunately, the emergence of cosmetic surgery has provided quick fixes to help both women and men enhance their appearance. When it comes to eyebrow lifts and hooded eye treatments, Botox is one of the preferred solutions to improve the presence of sagging brow and eyelid droop.
At Evolve Med Spa, we provide expert solutions for your facial concerns and anti-wrinkle needs. We are committed to helping you meet your aesthetic goals with the guidance of our trained Botox provider and state-of-the art technologies. We also offer personalized plans for treating other cosmetic issues such as hyperhidrosis, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and more. Contact us now to start your Botox journey.
