Laser Treatment for Hooded Eyes: Can Nonsurgical Solutions Compare to an Upper Blepharoplasty?

What Causes Hooded Eyes?

There is no single root cause of hooded eyes. Hooded Eyes are multifactorial, caused by genetic predisposition, ethnicity, and changes to the facial anatomy that occur with aging. While many patients notice that the skin above their eyes appear heavier or “crepey-er” with age, other patients find that the skin above their eyes have always been heavy since childhood.

What Lasers Can Be Used to Treat Hooded Eyes?

Fully ablative CO2 and Erbium lasers can help tighten and rejuvenate the skin around the eye. These lasers induce controlled vaporization of the skin, allowing for “cinching up” of loose eyelid skin. Additionally, these lasers induce a natural wound healing response from our bodies, which allow for collagen production and result in smoother and more supple skin.

Are There Other Noninvasive Treatments That Can Help?

Neuromodulators help reposition the eyebrow by relaxing the depressor muscles that pull our eyebrows downwards and inwards. Sofwave is another tool that can help reposition the eyebrows upwards to open up the eyes. For some patients, Thread Lift may be appropriate to reposition the brow by lifting the deeper layers of skin upwards. If you have ptosis, where the upper eyelid margin droops to cover a portion of your iris or pupil, Upneeq eye drops may be utilized to temporarily relax the Muller’s muscle to help open the eyes. It is important to note that none of these treatments address the “extra” or “loose” skin itself but can help by finessing brow shape and eyelid position for a more youthful look around the eyes.

How Do I Know If I Need Surgery for Hooded Eyes?

If the loose skin is severe enough to impede your vision, this is a sign to reach out to an oculoplastic surgeon for visual examination and consultation for blepharoplasty. Additionally, fully ablative lasers and the noninvasive treatments mentioned above cannot take a monolid and make it a double eyelid. If this is your aesthetic goal, we recommend consultation with an oculoplastic surgeon. Finally, if you have ptosis and are seeking a more permanent solution, surgery is the gold standard of care.

If you are interested in treating Hooded Eyes in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area, contact our office for more information on treatment.