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Characterized by sagging or drooping of the upper eyelid, droopy eyelids can make the eyes and face look tired and dull. Common causes can include genetics, aging, and lifestyle habits such as lack of sleep or excessive screen time, but medical conditions like muscle disorders can also contribute to droopy eyelids.
If you're looking to give your eyes a more awakened look, there's a range of solutions available from lifestyle changes and topical treatments to advanced therapies like Red Light Therapy, all aimed at giving your eyes that refreshed, re-energized look. Let's talk about what can cause eyelid drooping, as well as how to fix droopy eyelids naturally without surgery.
What Causes Droopy Eyelids?
Droopy eyelids are characterized by the sagging or drooping of the upper eyelid, and can affect one or both eyes. There are several factors that can contribute to the look of droopy eyelids, including simple genetics, the natural aging process, and lifestyle habits such as not getting enough sleep and engaging in a lot of screen time.
Genetically, some individuals are predisposed to having weaker eyelid muscles or less elastic skin, which can lead to drooping. When it comes to age, the skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity, causing it to sag and the muscles around the eyes to weaken. Finally, lifestyle habits like insufficient sleep can make this issue worse by causing the eyes to become puffy and tired-looking, while excessive screen time can strain the eye muscles and lead to fatigue, causing that droopy, tired look.
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How To Fix Droopy Eyelids Naturally
Eat a Balanced Diet and Stay Hydrated
Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help you support your skin health from the inside out. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids can help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of droopy eyelids by promoting collagen production and protecting the skin from oxidative stress. Staying hydrated is equally important, as it helps to keep the skin plump and firm, reducing the look of sagging and puffiness around the eyes.
Get Quality Sleep and Build Good Screen Time Habits
Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your skin time to repair and rejuvenate itself. During sleep, the body increases blood flow to the skin, which helps to deliver essential nutrients and oxygen. This process supports the production of collagen, a protein that maintains skin elasticity and firmness. Additionally, sleep helps to reduce cortisol levels, a stress hormone that can break down collagen and lead to sagging skin.
Reducing screen time or even just incorporating good screen time habits can also alleviate eye strain and fatigue. Taking regular breaks from screens and practicing the 20-20-20 rule (looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) can help reduce eye strain.
Perform Facial Exercises and Self-Massage
Facial exercises and massage can be highly effective in helping to lift and firm the eyelids. Here are a few exercises that can help:
Eyelid Stretch
- Close your eyes and place your index fingers on your eyelids.
- Gently lift your eyebrows while keeping your eyes closed.
- Hold for 10 seconds and then relax.
- Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Eye Squeeze
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes tightly.
- Place your index fingers at the outer corners of your eyes.
- Gently pull the skin towards your temples while keeping your eyes closed.
- Hold for 5 seconds and then relax.
- Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Eyebrow Lift
- Place your index fingers just below your eyebrows.
- Gently push your eyebrows upwards while closing your eyes.
- Hold for 10 seconds and then relax.
- Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Forehead Smoother
- Place your fingers in the middle of your forehead.
- Gently press and smooth the skin outwards towards your temples.
- Hold for 5 seconds and then relax.
- Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Eye Massage
- Using your ring fingers, gently tap around the orbital bone (the bone around your eye socket).
- Start from the inner corners of your eyes and move outwards towards your temples.
- Repeat this tapping motion for about 1 minute.
Best Treatments for Droopy Eyelids (Without Surgery)
Using the right creams and serums can help improve the appearance of droopy eyelids. The right topicals contain ingredients that help to firm and tighten the skin, providing a non-invasive option for sagging eyelids.
Skincare Ingredients That Can Help With Drooping Eyelids
When selecting creams and serums to help with droopy eyelids, look for the following key ingredients:
- Retinol: Promotes collagen production and improves skin texture.
- Peptides: Help to strengthen the skin's structure and improve elasticity.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Provides deep hydration, visibly plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of sagging.
- Vitamin C: Brightens the skin and supports collagen synthesis.
- Caffeine: Reduces puffiness and tightens the skin around the eyes.
Red Light Therapy for Droopy Eyelids
Red Light Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of Red Light to penetrate the skin and support collagen production. Collagen can help to visibly firm and tighten the skin, reducing the appearance of droopy eyelids, thanks to its work as a protein that supports skin structure and elasticity. With this, Red Light Therapy helps to visibly smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin around the eyes appear firmer, healthier, and rejuvenated.
Red Light Therapy also works well with other treatments and Light Therapy wavelengths, which is why we've integrated Red Light, Near-Infrared Light, Deep Red Light, and Amber Light into our devices, alongside skincare technologies such as Facial Massage and Therapeutic Warmth.
For droopy eyelids, we recommend our Light Therapy Eye Mask and our Skincare Wand:
Eye Recovery Pro Red Light Therapy Eye Mask
The Eye Recovery Pro is an innovative Light Therapy eye mask device designed to rejuvenate and revitalize the delicate skin around your eyes. Utilizing advanced Red Light, Near-Infrared Light, Amber Light, and Deep Red Light Therapy, this eye mask delivers select wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin and stimulate collagen production, visibly even tone, depuff eye bags, and visibly smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
By targeting the skin around the eyes specifically, the Eye Recovery Pro Mask helps to reduce the appearance of droopy eyelids, making the skin look firmer and more lifted.
At 3 minutes per day 3 times per week, our Light Therapy eye mask is easy to add into your regular skincare routine, bringing you powerful, professional-grade skincare results from the comfort and convenience of home. Just put on the mask, turn it on, and let it do its work — it will automatically shut off after your 3-minute treatment time.
4-in-1 Skincare Wand With Red Light Therapy
The 4-in-1 Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy is a versatile skincare tool designed to deliver a broad range of benefits in just a 12-minute treatment session. This multifunctional wand combines Red Light Therapy with Galvanic Current, Facial Massage, and Therapeutic Warmth to deliver comprehensive skin rejuvenation.
By incorporating Red Light Therapy, the wand stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and tighten the skin, which can reduce the appearance of droopy eyelids.
The Facial Massage feature helps to reduce the appearance of puffiness, while Therapeutic Warmth helps to soothe the skin and visibly brighten dark circles, which can help make the eyes look more awake and refreshed.
The 4-in-1 Skincare Wand is also gentle enough to be a part of your regular skincare routine, with a total treatment time of 12 minutes, divided into 3-minute sessions for each section of your face and neck.
What Surgery Fixes Droopy Eyelids?
Blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure designed to fix ptosis (droopy eyelids). This surgery involves the removal of excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat from the upper eyelids to create a more lifted appearance. In severe cases, where droopy eyelids significantly impair vision or daily functioning, blepharoplasty can be a necessary and effective solution. Additionally, the procedure may involve tightening the levator muscle, which is responsible for lifting the eyelid.
However, it is important to note that surgery is typically recommended only for severe cases. For individuals experiencing mild to moderate droopy eyelids, non-surgical options such as lifestyle changes, topical treatments, and advanced therapies like Red Light Therapy should generally be considered first. These methods can often provide significant improvements without the need for invasive procedures, though you should always consult with your healthcare provider about options that are best suited for your particular case.
If you are experiencing droopy eyelids that affect your vision or quality of life, consult with a medical professional to determine the best course of action. They can assess your condition and advise whether surgery is necessary or if other treatments may be more appropriate for your situation.
Conclusion
Having more awake, refreshed-looking eyes is possible through a variety of methods, from lifestyle changes and topical treatments to advanced therapies like Red Light Therapy. Being selective with the products and treatments you include in your skincare routine can make a notable difference when it comes to the eye area, so make sure you're choosing ingredients and technologies that work to help visibly tighten and smooth the skin for a lifted, firmer look.
If you suspect your eyelid drooping may be caused by a medical condition, seek the advice of a qualified medical professional.
Looking to lift and firm more than just your eyelids? Explore our selection of at-home Red Light Therapy devices here to give the same TLC to your whole face, chest, and neck!
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