Why can an eyelid droop?
A condition in which the upper eyelid begins to droop is called ptosis or blepharoptosis. The latter term is used when the outermost edge of the eyelid remains in place and only the skin and soft tissue underneath tends to droop.
Both conditions can occur for various reasons:
1. peculiarities of the facial structure. In some people, overhanging eyelids are present from birth. This may be due to weak attachment of the muscle that lifts them to the skin.
Some people have a slight excess of skin and a slight overhang of the eyelids from a young age. In youth this looks very beautiful, gives a mysterious and sexual look, but unfortunately such eyelids age quickly and require blepharoplasty at a fairly young age.
2. damage to the structures of the eyelid. Namely the aponeurosis – connective tissue, as well as muscles or nerve endings. This can happen after eye surgery, for example, but also due to various diseases. For example, Horner’s syndrome.
3. weakness of the muscle that lifts the eyelid. This can be caused by a disease that causes muscle atrophy.
4. taking certain medications. Corticosteroids, paracetamol, aspirin and hormone preparations can cause water retention, Quincke’s edema or hives.
5. diseases that have nothing to do with the eyes. Eyelid swelling can be associated with heart, kidney, liver, lymphatic and thyroid problems.
6. allergies or infections. If the swelling of the eyelids is accompanied by tearing, itching and redness, it may be an allergy. For example, as a reaction to new cosmetics and skin care products, towel or bed linen washing powder. If redness, localized fever and pain occur in addition to the swelling, an infection such as blepharitis is probably the cause.
7 Age. Over time, the skin begins to sag under the influence of gravity.
Puffiness, chronic fluid buildup, anatomical features, age-related changes – all contribute to eyelid drooping.
If you admit to problems with your internal organs, allergies or infections, as well as vision problems, it is worth having an eye specialist examine you or seeing a therapist.
However, if your eyelids droop due to structural or age-related changes, you can try to correct this.
Can you remove a drooping eyelid with folk remedies?
The effect of most folk remedies is related to the removal of puffiness. Here are the main ones:
Decoction of sage. The leaves of this medicinal plant contain ursolic and rosmarinic acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Cabbage leaves. They can also soothe localized inflammation.
Ice cubes. If the skin is cooled for 10-20 minutes, the small blood vessels constrict and the swelling goes down.
Compresses with camomile flowers. This medicinal plant can help with irritation.
However, there are no studies that confirm its positive effect on the condition of the eyelids. If the overhang of the eyelids is not caused by a local inflammatory process, all these remedies are completely useless.
Is it possible to remove the overhanging eyelid with the help of exercises?
It is believed that facial exercises can strengthen the muscles and thus lift drooping eyelids, but in reality they are ineffective.
As Dr. Julian Perry points out in a Cleveland Clinic article, the eyes blink about 30,000 times a day, and the eyelid muscles clearly have enough work to do to stay in shape.
What’s more, touching the eyelids during self-massage or exercise can only make the situation worse.
Researchers found a link between ptosis and contact lens wear, concluding that the more you touch your eyelids, the greater the risk that the muscles will weaken and the eyelids will eventually begin to droop.
Can you get rid of droopy eyelids with the help of kinesiotape?
Kinesiotape manufacturers claim that applying the strips to the face can accelerate lymphatic drainage and drain fluid, thereby eliminating eyelid puffiness.
There are a few studies that show the benefits of teeping to relieve swelling, but the research relates to lymphostasis in breast cancer, post-surgery and lymphatic drainage by traction with the Ilizarov apparatus.
So there is no conclusive evidence that colored strips can do anything about a drooping eyelid.
Is it possible to remove the drooping eyelid with cosmetic methods?
A slight drooping of the eyelid can be corrected using cosmetic procedures without the need for surgery.
An individualized approach is important when correcting overhanging eyelids. There is no one-size-fits-all solution; it usually involves a combination of two or more techniques. If the beautician has chosen the procedures well, the result will last for an average of one year.
Botox injections
Although botulinum toxin injections relax the muscles and have no effect on the ligaments, they can help if used correctly.
By relaxing the muscles that pull the eyebrows downwards, they can be lifted, which also has an effect on the appearance of the eyelids. Elena Maslyanitsyna says that Botox is a good solution for a small overhang of the eyelid, but for more pronounced problems, injections in the forehead area can have the opposite effect.
The effect of the procedure lasts between 2 and 6 months.
SMAS lifting with ultrasound
This is a hardware technique that uses ultrasound to act on the deep layers of the skin, muscles and aponeuroses.
According to Anastasia Prokopenko, this is the only procedure that can be used to combat several causes of ptosis.
SMAS lifting stimulates the production of collagen – a protein that determines the density of skin and connective tissue – by fibroblast cells. And unlike other hardware procedures, not only the deep layers of the skin are strengthened, but also muscles and ligaments.
There is no redness, soreness or peeling after the SMAS lift, but swelling may persist for 3-5 days. The result is immediately visible and builds up over the course of three months by stimulating neocollagenesis – the production of your own collagen.
