Having droopy eyelid or ptosis is when your upper eyelid loosens and sags downward, creating an uneven look in your eyes and affecting your appearance significantly. This article will discuss how to tighten eyelid skin without surgery with some easy tips you can do at home.
How To Tighten Eyelid Skin Without Surgery
There are several ways to make your eyelid skin appear tighter without having to get surgery. These include eyelid tape, non-surgical eyelifts, botox, and creams.
Why Is My Eyelid Drooping?
Ptosis happens as a result of excess sagging of the upper eyelid. The edge of the upper eyelid may be lower than it normally is, or there may be excess baggy skin in the upper eyelid. It may also be present in one or both eyelids.
The droopiness may be a result of the following possible factors:
- Weakness of the muscle that raises the eyelid
- Damage to the nerves that control that muscle
- Looseness of the skin of the upper eyelids
- Sustained injuries
The condition usually just comes and goes, and in some cases, it becomes permanent. A person can be born with it (congenital ptosis), or one can develop it later in life (acquired ptosis).
Eyelid drooping isn’t usually harmful per se and is simply a cosmetic issue, but depending on the sagginess, the drooping of the upper eyelids can partially or significantly obstruct one’s eyesight. Those with severe ptosis tend to tilt their heads back to see at all times, especially when speaking or having a casual conversation.
Apart from the drooping, people with ptosis tend to have extremely dry or watery eyes and experience some aching which, together with the sagging, can cause a tired/weary look.
Testing & Surgical Procedures
Fortunately, droopy eyelids are fairly treatable, either naturally or through medical intervention. The expected outcome depends on the cause of the ptosis. In most cases, surgery is very successful in restoring appearance and function.
Eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) is usually performed to repair and tighten sagging upper eyelids. It can be done to improve the appearance of the eyelids and clear the skin blocking the person’s eyesight.
But did you know that you won’t have to go under the knife to fix drooping eyelids? Learn how to fix droopy eyelids without surgery below.
Non-Surgical Methods For Drooping Eyelids
If you’re not keen on surgical procedures, there are several non-surgical methods to rectify sagging eyelids. You can try the following:
Eyelid tapes
Eyelid tapes help compensate for weakened eyelid muscles. The tape lifts the eyelid and any sagging skin around it using an adhesive material. Many people use eyelid tapes to simulate a natural-looking, double eyelid effect, creating a drastic change in their appearance.
While they may get the job done for a couple of hours, the tapes are in no way a long-term fix for drooping eyelids. Think of it as putting on makeup every day if you’re going to put these on daily, but be warned that eyelid tape & glue are not good for your eyelids long term and may result in the thickening and loosening of the eyelid skin.
Ptosis crutch
A ptosis crutch is a non-surgical option to prevent drooping by holding the eyelid in place. This involves adding a bar placed inside the frame of a pair of glasses to support the drooping eyelid.
There are two types of ptosis crutches available; first, the adjustable crutches are fixed to only one side of the frames, while the reinforced crutches are attached to both sides of the frames.
Installing a ptosis crutch is easy and works for nearly all eyeglasses, though metal frames are recommended. If you’re thinking of getting a crutch, ask an ophthalmologist who works with people who have ptosis to help you find one that suits you best.
Non-surgical eye lifts
Non-surgical blepharoplasty is performed with injectable fillers like hyaluronic acid to refresh and rejuvenate the eye area. This treatment can rectify asymmetrical eyes to make them look even and uniform, and it only takes a short time to perform and won’t leave marks or scars. It’s also cost-efficient and safer than surgical procedures.
Patients who undergo non-surgical eye lifts tend to experience mild discomfort, redness, and swelling after the treatment. These symptoms will subside within the first few days of the treatment. All heavy activity and strenuous exercise are discouraged at least 24 hours after the procedure.
Botox
Botox injections are also a popular procedure for drooping eyelids, especially among women in their 30s or 40s. The Botox can be injected into the outer end of the eyebrow to slightly elevate the eyebrow, which will then lift the upper eyelid and reveal a small amount of eyelid skin.
However, botox may not work well if the sagging eyelids result from an excessive amount of eyelid skin or a more pronounced brow droop. No non-surgical procedure can reduce or tighten the skin. The only viable solution would be to have it surgically excised through upper eyelid surgery.
Eyelid creams
Applying certain creams and serums can also help fix sagging skin on the eyelid. They restore the firmness and elasticity of the sagging skin, and if used well, they can act as a primary line of defense. Additionally, they can prevent other problems like dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, fine lines, under-eye bags, sagging eyelids, and crow’s feet.
When looking for an eye cream for droopy eyelids, pick one with antioxidants and anti-aging properties, as these can effectively combat any damage. Creams with glycerin, retinol, and proteins like collagen, elastin, perlecan, and fibrillin are likewise recommendable.
Other Eyelid Hacks & Exercises
According to the National Stroke Association, forcing your eyelids to work out every hour may improve eyelid droop. You can work eyelid muscles by raising your eyebrows, placing a finger underneath, and holding them up for several seconds while trying to close them.
Another method is called the eyepatch workout; to do this, start by pinching the arch of your eyebrow and gently lifting it up. Do this all along the length of the rest of your brow.
Another useful hack for sagging eyelids is putting cucumber slices over your eyes. Research published in the Journal of Aging Research & Lifestyle says that cucumbers have caffeine and ascorbic acids that fight off inflammation and firm sagging skin. Leave the cucumber slices on your eyes for 20 minutes to help mitigate some of that flabby eye skin and prevent more sagging. Just be sure to stay consistent with this method and rinse your face with cool water after the cucumber application.
Applying chamomile tea bags to your eyelids helps a lot. According to one study, chamomile tea contains anti-inflammatory agents that can reduce puffy and sagging eyelids. For this method you’ll need two tea bags soaked in hot water. Leave them in your refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes. Once chilled, place the tea bags over your eyes for 30 minutes.
With each of these exercises, it’s important to note that the skin around the eyes is very delicate, so groove gently. Excessive pulling and tugging can cause further drooping, cause wrinkles, and sagging, Don’t forget to clean your face and hands first before doing any of these methods.
Takeaway
While not a serious condition in itself, droopy and sagging eyelids do more than marring the features of your eyes, it also causes a lot of trouble by obstructing your eyesight if it gets too droopy.
Thankfully, there are methods that help fix and tighten droopy eyelids without having to go under the knife. These are also time and cost-efficient, and you can even do them in the comfort of your home. If done properly, your eyelids will go back to normal in no time.
But before you try out any of these methods, make sure to ask an ophthalmologist or dermatologist which method or treatment will suit your condition best. That way, you get to avoid hazards that can worsen your situation in the long run.