Top 3 Treatments for Droopy Eyelid Problems
Raise your hand if you’ve gotten these questions at work or in social settings:
- “Are you feeling okay today?”
- “Did you sleep well last night?”
- “Are you upset about something?”
Perhaps this happens to you in spite of getting enough sleep and putting on makeup. Well the truth is, you aren’t alone! This frustrating phenomenon is often brought on by droopy eyelids or heavy and sagging brows. As a result, we are left with a perpetually tired or angry look. Your eyes and brow could be making you look so much older than you feel. Some of the most common problems around the eyes include crows feet, sagging brows, droopy eyelid skin, and sagging fat pads or lacrimal gland. Vertical and horizontal frown lines on the forehead make matters worse.
The problem is so universal. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, rejuvenation of the forehead and eyelids was among the top cosmetic surgical procedures in 2017 with over 249,000 procedures performed. This doesn’t even include the millions of minimally invasive procedures each year using Botox and fillers that target the same areas of your face. If you are bothered by your droopy eyes and want to do something about it, here are three ways to fight back.
Treatment #1: Botox and Filler Injections
Botulinum toxins, like Botox and Dysport, along with dermal fillers, like Juvederm and Restylane, are approved by the FDA for certain facial treatments. Many consider injectables the most effective non-surgical method to treat wrinkles and add volume. Botox and fillers work wonders at restoring youthful contours to the face. They also minimize the appearance of sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. When done regularly, and more importantly done by experts, Botox and fillers help you maintain a youthful look with minimal risk. Plus, you can put off surgical procedures like a Facelift or Brow Lift for as long as possible.
Botox or Dysport target the horizontal lines across your forehead and vertical lines between your eyebrows (those angry 11’s). They also treat the crow’s feet at the outer corners of your eyes. Regular and consistent treatment by expert injectors may even make these wrinkles virtually disappear.
When targeting droopy eyelid issues, hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane or Juvederm are very effective in the tear trough. This is the deep valley that starts at the inner corner of your eye and follows along the side of your nose onto your cheek. A filler treatment often makes all the difference between looking exhausted and refreshed. No amount of Kim Kardashian concealer can compete with that.
Treatment #2: Cosmetic Surgery
If you are no longer able to treat the droopy eyelids or sagging brows with Botox, then facial cosmetic surgery might be the answer for you. As the name suggests, a Brow Lift raises sagging brows and reduces vertical frown lines between the eyebrows. Lifting of the brow also minimizes wrinkles on the forehead and the bridge of the nose. Eyelid Surgery (also called Blepharoplasty) treats excess overhanging skin and fat of upper and lower eyelids.
Dr. Tannan performs Brow Lift and Eyelid Surgery using a variety of techniques. Your treatment might include minimally invasive endoscopic surgery with incisions hidden within the hair. Or she might use a well concealed incision in the hairline. She will tailor your specific plan to meet your needs, whether it is to reduce a high forehead and heavy brow, treat a droopy eyelid, or provide a subtle lift. A word to the wise – beware of the doctor who jumps to “pinch the extra skin” right over your eyelid or brow and cut it out! This could backfire if they cut out the skin that is needed in re-suspending and lifting. You could wind up with your brows lower than where you started.
Cosmetic surgery is an effective approach for treating droopy eyelid problems and other signs of aging in the face. Make sure you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with the proper experience to guide you through these options.
Treatment #3: Skincare Regimen
Regular skin care using high quality products (like Hydrafirm from our very own ZO Skin Health) is a great way to make sure your face maintains its youthful glow. Using sunscreen everyday (both indoors and outdoors), regular skin exfoliation, and protection of the lipid barrier with Daily Power Defense all give your skin the extra boost it needs to minimize the advanced changes of aging. Proper skin care becomes even more important to maintain your hard-earned results if you have already opted for treatment options #1 or #2 listed above.
Like so many things in life, your facial appearance reflects the effort you put into it. We’re not talking hours of facial massage every day. Rather, treating droopy eyelid problems starts with just two minutes a day of high quality skin care. Add quarterly Botox and fillers in all the right places by expert injectors and you are set for the year. And when gravity ultimately wins out and the lateral skin of your brows really start to hang down and rest on your eyelashes, Brow Lift and Eyelid Surgery might make all the difference.
Like so many things in life, your facial appearance reflects the effort you put into it.
Here are several resources to help you plan your facial cosmetic treatment plan:
- Average cost of cosmetic surgery procedures with the Plastic Surgery Cost Calculator
- Typical recovery process and timeline with the Plastic Surgery Recovery Calculator
- Top-of-the-line skincare, daily treatment, facial peels and more with ZO Skin Health
- Savings on injectable treatment regimens with our Botox Membership Plans
Don’t settle for an angry or tired look when you feel refreshed and youthful. Schedule a consultation with female board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Tannan, to help you navigate through all the options and pick the one that will result in the most confident, brilliant you.
