How to Fix Hooded Eyes: Causes, Non-Surgical Options and Surgery
Updated: 5 days ago
How to fix hooded eyes depends on what is causing the hood. If extra eyelid skin is the main problem, makeup and tape can only hide it for a day, while surgery to remove the excess skin gives a longer-lasting change. If a low brow or a weak eyelid muscle is part of the picture, that needs its own treatment too.
By Assoc. Prof. Dr. Preamjit Saonanon, oculoplastic ophthalmologist
What are hooded eyelids?
Hooded eyelids are upper eyelids where a fold of skin hangs over the crease, so the crease and part of the lid seem to disappear when your eyes are open. Many people with hooded eyes still have a double eyelid crease; it is simply hidden. That is why eyeshadow can look different on each eye, and eyeliner may smudge onto the fold by lunchtime.
What causes hooded eyes?
Usually more than one thing is going on:
Genetics. Some people are born with a low crease and fuller upper eyelids.
Ageing skin. Eyelid skin is the thinnest skin on the body and slowly loses its elasticity, so it starts to drape.
A lower brow. When the brow drops with age, it pushes skin down onto the eyelid.
Eyelid fat. Extra or bulging fat makes the lid look puffy and heavy.
A weak eyelid opening muscle. In ptosis, the levator aponeurosis (the tendon that lifts the lid) stretches, so the lid itself sits lower and the hood looks worse.
Telling these apart matters, because removing skin will not help a lid that sits low because of a weak muscle.
How to fix hooded eyes without surgery
Non-surgical options can soften the look, but they do not remove extra skin. Makeup tricks, such as placing shadow slightly above your natural crease, and eyelid tape can make the eye look more open for the day. Skin-tightening treatments may give a small improvement in mild cases. Injections that relax the muscles pulling the brow down can raise the brow a little, but the effect is modest and temporary. You can read more in how to fix droopy eyelids without surgery.
When does hooded eyelid surgery help?
Hooded eyelid surgery is worth considering when the hood comes from excess skin or fat, when it bothers you every day, or when it starts to block the top of your vision. The main approaches are:
Upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty)
Extra skin, and fat if needed, is removed through an incision hidden in the eyelid crease, and the crease can be defined at the same time. See our upper blepharoplasty guide.
Sub-brow excision or brow lift
If the brow has dropped, skin can be removed just under the brow, or the brow can be lifted, so the eyelid keeps a shape closer to your own.
Ptosis correction
If the eyelid opening muscle is weak, it can be tightened in the same operation. This is why an eye plastic surgeon checks eyelid height and muscle function before planning any surgery.
As a guide, stitches come out after about 7–14 days, bruising and swelling settle over about 7–14 days, and the crease usually looks natural after about 1–3 months. Every operation carries risks, such as asymmetry, dry eye or the need for a touch-up, and results vary from person to person.
When should you see an eye doctor?
See an eye doctor promptly if one eyelid droops suddenly, if the droop gets worse as the day goes on, if you have double vision, or if the hood blocks your view when you drive or read. These signs can point to a muscle or nerve problem rather than simple extra skin.
Frequently asked questions
Can hooded eyes be fixed without surgery?
They can be hidden or softened with makeup, tape or temporary treatments, but extra eyelid skin can only be removed with surgery.
Is hooded eyelid surgery the same as double eyelid surgery?
They overlap. Both work through the eyelid crease, but hooded eyelid surgery focuses on removing excess skin and fat, while double eyelid surgery focuses on creating or shaping the crease.
Do hooded eyes get worse with age?
Often, yes. Eyelid skin loosens and the brow can drop over time, so a mild hood may become heavier later in life.
Book a consultation with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Preamjit Saonanon in Thong Lo, Bangkok
LINE: @saonanon
Phone: +66 90 946 3090
Opening hours: Thursday 16:00–20:00, Saturday 09:00–20:00
This article is general information and does not replace a medical examination. Results vary from person to person.
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