What are drooping eyelids?
The term drooping eyelids (med.: blepharochalasis) is used to describe drooping eyelids: The upper eyelid lacks resilience, causing it to droop over the crease of the eyelid.
A drooping eyelid can occur on one or both sides and can affect both men and women.
In many cases, drooping eyelids are a harmless cosmetic problem. The drooping upper eyelids often give a tired or irritated impression to people around. It is not uncommon for those affected to want to do something about their drooping eyelids. This is especially true if they place a great deal of psychological strain on those affected.
What to do about drooping eyelids?
There are several ways to remove drooping eyelids. The most effective, but also the most extreme method is the surgery for drooping eyelids. However, there are also gentler ways to treat drooping eyelids – without surgery at all.
Before making a decision, have a professional (or professionals) explain in detail the different options for treating drooping eyelids, their chances of success, costs and risks.
Hollow eyelid surgery
Some affected people have their drooping eyelids operated on. This procedure is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries.
The healing process after surgical eyelid correction (eyelid lift) lasts about 14 days. During this time, minor swelling or bruising may occur around the operated area. As a rule, no visible scars remain after a professionally performed drooping eyelid surgery.
Eyelid surgery: Costs
It is not possible to say in general how much a drooping eyelid surgery costs. The exact costs depend, among other things, on the extent of the procedure and can also vary from doctor to doctor.
Thread lifting against drooping eyelids
What else can be done against drooping eyelids? As an alternative to conventional eyelid surgery, drooping eyelids can be tightened with a so-called thread lift. According to providers, the procedure is gentler.
Instead of cutting out the excess eyelid skin including tissue with a scalpel, threads are placed under the skin under local anesthesia in such a way that a tightening effect is achieved. This is because the threads used have tiny barbs that hold the skin in place.
Laser treatment of drooping eyelids
Drooping eyelids: Plasma Pen treatment
Similar to laser treatment, drooping eyelid correction works with the Plasma Pen. As the name suggests, this instrument works with high-energy, microfine plasma streams of ionized gas.
With the help of the Plasma Pen, these plasma streams are discharged just above the affected skin area. This vaporizes the top layer of skin. As a result, new, firmer skin with greater elasticity is formed. Treatment with the Plasma Pen is performed under local anesthesia.
Drooping eyelids: Botox treatment
Botox injections can also be used to try to remove drooping eyelids without surgery. The active ingredient tightens the muscles and thus has a wrinkle-reducing effect.
Microneedling against drooping eyelids
What else helps against drooping eyelids? For example, microneedling, also called medical needling. The principle of action is similar to that of laser and plasma pen treatments. Here, too, the skin on the upper eyelids is specifically injured so that new, taut skin can form during the subsequent healing process.
However, this is not done with laser or plasma energy, but with the help of fine needle pricks: The specialist uses a special hand-held device to prick the skin one to two millimeters deep several times in order to stimulate the body’s own collagen production.
Microneedling devices are also available for laypersons in stores and on the Internet. However, it is recommended to leave the application to a trained expert to avoid possible inflammation or infection.
What can you do yourself for drooping eyelids? Those who do not want medical treatment from a doctor right away sometimes try to train the drooping eyelids away by means of facial yoga. Others use “eyelid patches” (tapes, strips) or a special cream. Protein masks are also often touted as a home remedy for drooping eyelids.
However, the effect of such methods is not scientifically proven. However, their application probably does no harm either.
Train away drooping eyelids
Treat drooping eyelids with egg white
In the anti-aging industry, egg white is considered an effective wrinkle killer. It is said to supply the skin with amino acids (= protein building blocks) and stimulate the production of collagen – a structural protein that, among other things, ensures smooth skin.
Egg white is also recommended as a home remedy for drooping eyelids, for example in the form of a firming mask made of chicken protein.
Droopy eyelid tape
Cream against drooping eyelids
Special eye creams against drooping eyelids are also available for self-treatment. Manufacturers of such products advertise with great promises: A drooping eyelid cream is supposed to improve drooping eyelids after just a few applications. However, there is no scientific proof of its effectiveness.
What causes drooping eyelids?
Drooping eyelids can have various causes. Most often, they occur when the elasticity of the skin decreases with age.
However, a suddenly drooping eyelid can also occur during a stroke. If other sudden symptoms are added, such as a hanging corner of the mouth, paralysis on one side and/or chewing and swallowing difficulties, you should call the emergency doctor immediately!
Hanging eyelids are also typical in Ascher syndrome. This is a very rare congenital malformation syndrome characterized by drooping eyelids, a “double lip” (fold of mucous membrane on the upper lip that makes it appear double), chronic lip swelling (lip edema), and a “goiter” (goiter).
Rarely, drooping eyelids or drooping eyelids are due to damage to the cranial nerve responsible or muscular weakness in the eyelid.