When your eyelids droop and sag, it can be a cosmetic problem. Sagging eyelids can potentially make someone look older and more tired than they actually feel and look. Additionally, when the eyelids droop, they can give rise to medical concerns, as the eyelids could disrupt your vision. While you may have heard that a surgical procedure exists to correct the issue, which is known as blepharoplasty, you may not realize that a less invasive treatment exists – an injection of Botox.
Botox is a viable means to alleviate your hooded eyelids. However, you may be wondering, to what extent can Botox help? At Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinic of San Diego, we want to help you address your hooded eyelid concerns by utilizing Botox.
What Are Hooded Eyelids?
Hooded eyelids are a cosmetic and medical concern that can occur for several reasons. The condition, known as ptosis, can result from the levator muscle weakening, which is the muscle that holds up your eyelids or can also result from continuous pulling on your eyelids. Actions, such as putting on makeup, can contribute to sagging eyelid skin if not done gently. While it may seem that hooded eyelids are only apparent in an older generation, they can also occur in children either because of trauma or due to neurological reasons. In short, hooded eyelids are a common condition. If left untreated, the eyelid skin can eventually sag enough to disrupt your vision and lead to secondary conditions such as headaches.
What Is Botox?
Botox is a neurotoxin that consists of botulinum toxin Type A. When this neurotoxin is injected into a muscle, it blocks specific nerve receptors from receiving a signal. Blocking this signal prevents muscle movement from occurring, effectively keeping the skin from folding over. For this reason, a Botox injection is commonly used as a way to prevent wrinkles from forming. Botox was initially FDA-approved to treat muscle eye spasms in 1989. Still, the cosmetic benefits were soon realized, causing it to become one of the most popular cosmetic treatments worldwide.
What Botox Can Treat
Botox is commonly utilized to treat what are known as dynamic wrinkles. These wrinkles are not the result of the natural aging process, which is instead referred to as static wrinkles. Instead, dynamic wrinkles are a type of wrinkle that results in facial movements made over the years. From a frown to a smile, any form of facial movement causes various facial muscles to move. When they are made consistently enough, the wrinkles can eventually appear to be permanently imprinted on the face. Dynamic wrinkles are apparent around the mouth, forehead, nose and eyes.
When Botox Is Appropriate for Hooded Eyelids
A Botox injection is an appropriate treatment for hooded eyelids. The treatment can treat a low eyebrow position or slight brow drooping, which is causing the eyelids to hang lower than they should be. Botox can be injected into the outer end of the eyebrow to elevate the eyebrow slightly. By elevating the eyebrow slightly, Botox lifts the upper eyelid and reveals a small amount of eyelid skin. Botox is a short-term solution for treating hooded eyelids. The neurotoxin’s effects will gradually wear off, and the eyebrow muscles will regain their strength. Usually, a Botox injection lasts approximately two to three months.
When Botox Cannot Help Hooded Eyelids
If your hooded eyelids are the result of an excessive amount of eyelid skin or because of a more pronounced brow droop, Botox is not a viable treatment. There are no neurotoxins that can reduce or tighten the skin. This means that if hooded eyelids are a medical concern, then Botox will be an ineffective solution. Instead, patients would be recommended blepharoplasty, which is a surgical procedure that removes excess eyelid skin. Blepharoplasty is an ideal solution for hooded eyelids because it produces long-lasting results.
However, the surgical procedure could be unfavorable if hooded eyelids result from minor skin sagging or a slightly drooping eyebrow. Blepharoplasty can be a potentially extensive procedure, is costly and poses more risks than Botox. It’s essential to weigh the benefits of Botox compared to blepharoplasty when deciding which treatment is the better option.
The Botox Treatment for Hooded Eyelids
Treating hooded eyelids with Botox is a relatively simple process. The treatment involves injecting Botox into your lower forehead and the outer ends of your eyebrows. When injected, it will paralyze the muscle by effectively preventing nerve receptors that prompt muscle movement. The treatment paralyzes the depressor muscle, which causes the eyebrow to droop, while the elevator muscle, which raises the eyebrow, remains untouched. The treatment will raise the brow a few millimeters. While this does not sound like a significant amount, it will still effectively give you a more open and alert look.
Utilizing Botox to treat hooded eyelids is best performed under the guidance of an expert injector. If not, the treatment can potentially create superficial results. At Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinic, our injectors are well adept at treating hooded eyelids with Botox.
Learn More About How Botox Can Help Correct Hooded Eyelids at Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinic
Sagging eyelid skin can be a cosmetic and medical concern. Depending on the severity of your condition, Botox can help. An injection of the neurotoxin in your forehead and around your eyebrows can effectively treat a brow that droops slightly and minor sagging skin of the eyelids. If you are curious if Botox can help correct your hooded eyelid concerns, or if a surgical procedure is necessary, such as blepharoplasty, will be required, please contact Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinic of San Diego, CA. We can assess your condition and determine the most viable solution. Our Rancho Bernardo location can be reached at 858-487-3376 and our Carlsbad location at 760-448-8100 or you can visit our contact page.