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Eyes

Hooded Eyes

Hooded Eyes: A Brief Overview

Written and Reviewed by Dr. Uzma Qureshi
Published on: 30/01/2025

Hooded Eyes

Do you have hooded eyes? Looking into the mirror and finding the saggy skin over your eyelashes—Do you not like this hooded appearance? If not, you are not alone. Many people are born with this eye appearance, but sometimes it develops as the age moves forward and the skin loses its firmness. 

So, what are hooded eyes, exactly? What is their definition, and can they be remedied? Well, in this blog, let’s explore what causes them, how to identify them, and how you may minimise this hood over your eyes. 

What Are Hooded Eyes?

Hooded eyes, commonly referred to as saggy eyelids or folds of skin that hang over your eyelid, sometimes reaching to the lash line and sometimes hiding your natural eye crease. Because of this, hooded eyelids often make your eyes appear small—in some cases, they give vibes of tiredness and sleepiness. At extreme levels, such eyelids may cause disturbance in vision, making reading or driving extremely difficult.

You may have hooded eyes on one eyelid, but they happen more often than not on both. Hooded eyes are normal in themselves and can be genetic, though eyelid drooping may worsen with the ageing process or other factors.

What Causes Hooded Eyes?

Hooded eyes, so what causes them? The saggy skin over your eyes can be by birth or appear with age. Here are some causes of hooded eyes.

  • Genetics

Some people get them in the genes, so to speak- they’re born with it—it’s in their DNA pattern. If the natural heritage includes hooded eyes, you may also have them. In some cases, the levator muscle, which helps raise the eye’s upper lid, is underdeveloped, so eyelids hang low.

  • Ageing

Ageing creases your skin, especially around the eyes, where the skin is thinner. The natural weakening of muscles holding up the eyelid is the more important reason for sagging with age.

  • Eye Injuries or Surgery

Damage to the eye caused by wearing contact lenses for too long or a cyst in the eyelid may cause tearing of the muscles holding the eyelids open. Cataract removal or LASIK surgery may lead to transient or permanent eyelid drooping.

  • Medical Issues

Certain conditions like Myasthenia Gravis, diabetes, or infections can also lead to drooping eyelids. In some cases, a tumour close to the eye can also be a cause of drooping eyelids.

  • Muscle Relaxant Injections

Sometimes, these injections may temporarily relax the muscles intended to support the eyelid in a certain position—causing a sagging hood over the eyelid. This effect normally tends to disappear once the injections have been worked off.

Do I Have Hooded Eyes?

Do you have hooded eyes? If you want to know this, just look into the mirror with your eyes open normally. 

Do you see that your eyelid’s fold is covered with another fold of skin? If your eyelid is partially or entirely covered with this fold, you probably have hooded eyes.

Here are some more signs:

  • You find it difficult to apply eyeshadow or eyeliner because it seems to ‘disappear’ once your eyes are open.
  • You seem sleepy, or your eyes look smaller than usual.
  • To open your eyes fully, you often lift your eyebrows first.

You could have hooded eyes if any of the above-mentioned points are true. See a specialist for a professional opinion if you’re unsure or feel that only one eye is affected.

Sometimes, along with hooded eyes, ageing causes sunken eyes, and under-eye fillers are the best solution to restore the lost volume. Learn how long do under eye fillers last, and consider this option if you have sunken eyes.

Treatments For Hooded Eyes

Several professional treatments help minimise hooded eye appearance. They include:

  • Dermal fillers

Filler injections are used to advance the brow, increasing the volume of the skin and opening up the eyes a little.

  • Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper Blepharoplasty - Hooded Eyes

It is the surgical removal of excess skin of the eyelid. It is also recommended for those whose vision is affected by their hooded eyes.

  • Brow Lift

This involves lifting the eyebrows to correct fully drooped brows and reducing the hooded appearance of the eyelids.

Hooded vs. Non Hooded Eyes— What’s The Difference?

The main difference between hooded and non-hooded eyes is the extra fold over the eyelid. In non-hooded eyes, the eyelid’s crease is very noticeable when the eyes are open. A natural fold forms with hooded eyes, creating a smaller eye space or, sometimes, a closed-off impression.

5 Makeup Tips For Hooded Eyes

Here are some effective makeup tips to reduce the appearance of hooded eyes. 

  • Use an eyeshadow primer.

Apply an eyeshadow primer to adhere to your eyeshadow and prevent creasing. It will create a smoother base. 

  • Highlight the inner corners of your eyes.

To create an illusion of more open eyes, apply a light-coloured shimmery eyeshadow to the inner corners of your eyes.

  • Define your natural eye crease.

Instead of applying eyeshadow only to your natural eye crease, apply some shadow slightly above where your crease folds—this will create the illusion of a deeper crease and more open eyes.

  • Tightline your eyeliner. 

Apply eyeliner to your upper waterline. This will make your lashes appear fuller without taking up valuable lid space. 

  • Apply highlighter to the brow bone.

Apply a subtle highlighter just below your eyebrows, on the brow bone, to help lift the entire eye area and draw all the attention upwards. 

When To Consult Your Doctor For Hooded Eyes?

Consider talking to a doctor about your hooded eyes when:

  • Hooded eyelids lower your self-confidence.
  • Your vision gets obstructed due to hooded eyes, and you can’t see clearly while driving or reading. 
  • You quint a lot to see things clearly, and it causes headaches.
  • After undergoing an anti-wrinkle injection treatment, you feel hooded eyes and heaviness on your eyelids. 

Your doctor will discuss the symptoms and suggest a hooded eye treatment for relief. 

Now You Know All About Hooded Eyes

Whether you were born with hooded eyes or developed them over time, eye shape is a common condition that can easily be managed with cosmetic and medical treatments. As long as it doesn’t affect your vision or make you feel self-conscious, there are many ways to see you looking fresh and wide-eyed once again. However, if you want to address hooded eyes professionally, consult an expert doctor for upper Eyelid blepharoplasty Surgery. This surgical option is the best and long-term solution to eliminate any cosmetic and practical discomfort associated with hooded eyes. 

FAQs About Hooded Eyes

1. What does it mean to have hooded eyes?

Having hooded eyes means your natural eye crease is hidden due to a skin fold hanging from your brow bone, giving a hooded appearance.

2. Are hooded eyelids attractive?

Hooded eyes are normal, beautiful, and attractive, whether you have them at birth or develop them over time. 

3. What ethnicities have hooded eyes?

Mostly, Asian people have hooded eyes.

4. How do you get rid of hooded eyes?

To get rid of hooded eyes, consult your doctor for professional options like dermal fillers, brow lifts or upper blepharoplasty. 

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