What Are Hooded Eyes?

The eyes are two of our most important and prominent facial features as they are often the first thing people see when they meet us. For many people, an inherited eyelid shape or normal aging can produce a “hooded eye” look that some people dislike and wish to change or correct.

Note: If you’re in the Houston area – or willing to travel – Dr. Michel Siegel can help you get the eyelids you’ve always wanted.

What are Hooded Eyes?

Hooded eyes have excess skin and sometimes fat above the eye, resulting in a hooded appearance that hides the folds in your upper eyelid. It can be difficult or impossible to see the eyelid at all when the eye is open, and applying eyeliner or eyeshadow may seem pointless as it rubs off onto the extra skin and can’t be easily seen anyway. This feature is common in Asian eyes, but can appear in any ethnicity and at any age.

Why Do I Have Them?

Some people think applying eye creams can correct a hooded eye appearance, but usually the condition is due to simple genetics. Like any facial feature, it can run in families and can’t be corrected with skin care products. Slightly hooded eyes can become more prominent as we age: eyelids start to droop as a result of gravity and loss of the skin’s natural elasticity.

What Can I Do About Hooded Eyes?

It is important to note that hooded eyes aren’t always a problem. Some people enjoy their hooded eyes and many celebrities sport the eye shape. But if excess skin and fatty tissue makes you appear tired or angry or older than you are, you can discuss possible solutions with a facial plastic surgeon. Depending on your facial shape, there are a few options for correcting the issue.

If the hooding is caused by a low or sagging brow line, then a temporal facelift (brow lift) may be the best solution. Only a facial plastic surgeon can make this determination, however, so be sure you consult with a surgeon who is heavily experienced in temporal lifts and facial aesthetics.

A blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is the most common procedure to help remove excess skin and fat above the eyes, but it should be done conservatively to retain a natural appearance. If too much skin or tissue is removed, you may get a hollowed-out or “worked on” look that isn’t youthful.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery can not only correct hooded eyes, but may remove bags or puffiness and deep grooves as needed. Today’s surgery can be done on an outpatient basis, and most patients are usually back to work within a week. If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your eyes, talk to an experienced facial plastic surgeon to learn more about your options and what you can expect from surgery and recovery. Blepharoplasty is a popular procedure because it produces amazing results and can take years off of one’s age without looking pulled or unnatural – but it must be done by a surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery.

Considering if eyelid surgery may be right for you? Schedule a consultation with double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Michel Siegel today.