Hooded eyes are one of the most common reasons people ask about eyelid surgery. Many assume that removing upper eyelid skin will always solve the problem. In reality, the heaviness can come from the eyelid, the eyebrow or the eyelid muscle – and each needs a different solution. This article explains how to tell them apart and when blepharoplasty in Antalya alone, a brow lift or a combination may be considered.
What causes hooded or droopy eyelids?
Hooded upper eyelids usually result from one or more of three causes: excess eyelid skin, a low or descended eyebrow, or ptosis (a weak eyelid-lifting muscle). Often more than one is present.
| Cause | What happens | Typical treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Excess eyelid skin (dermatochalasis) | Skin stretches and folds over the crease | Upper blepharoplasty |
| Descended brow (brow ptosis) | The eyebrow, especially the outer part, sinks and pushes tissue down | Brow lift or browpexy |
| Eyelid ptosis | The lid margin sits too low because the lifting muscle is weak or stretched | Ptosis correction of the muscle |
Genetics, ageing, sun damage, smoking and long-term contact lens wear can all play a role.
How does a low brow make the eyelids look heavy?
When the eyebrow drops, it pushes the skin of the upper eyelid downwards, making the lid look fuller and more hooded than it really is. The outer part of the brow is usually affected first, which can give a tired or sad expression.
Many people with a low brow unconsciously raise their eyebrows all day to keep their vision clear. This can cause forehead lines and a feeling of tension or tiredness, and it may also mask how much the brow has actually dropped.
Why might blepharoplasty alone not be enough?
If a low brow is the main cause of hooding, removing eyelid skin alone may give a disappointing result. In some cases it can even pull the brow lower, because there is less skin between the brow and the lashes.
For this reason, the brow position is assessed carefully before any upper eyelid surgery. Where the brow is low, a brow procedure may be recommended alongside or instead of blepharoplasty.
What is browpexy and when is it combined with blepharoplasty?
Browpexy is a procedure that supports and slightly lifts the brow, usually through the same upper eyelid incision used for blepharoplasty. It is suitable for a mild to moderate brow descent and avoids additional visible incisions.
When blepharoplasty and browpexy are combined, the operation is usually performed under general anaesthesia and takes around an hour. Recovery is similar to that after blepharoplasty alone, although swelling may extend slightly higher and last a little longer. Patients travelling from the UK are generally advised to stay in Antalya for about 5–7 days.
For more marked brow descent, a more extensive brow lift with incisions in the hairline or scalp may be discussed. This involves a different recovery and different risks.
What if the problem is ptosis?
In ptosis, the edge of the upper eyelid sits too low, often covering part of the pupil. This is due to a weakened or stretched lifting muscle, not excess skin. Removing skin will not raise the lid margin.
Ptosis can occur alone or together with excess skin. It is measured during the examination by assessing the distance between the lid edge and the pupil and the strength of the lifting muscle. If ptosis is found, correction of the muscle is needed, sometimes in the same operation as blepharoplasty.
Can non-surgical treatments help hooded eyes?
Non-surgical options can sometimes soften the appearance of mild hooding, but they cannot remove excess skin or correct ptosis. Their effect is usually modest and temporary, so they suit some people as a short-term measure rather than as an alternative to surgery when hooding is marked.
What risks should I consider?
Each procedure has its own risks, and combining them can increase swelling and recovery time.
- Blepharoplasty: bleeding, infection, dry eyes, difficulty closing the eyes for a time, asymmetry, visible scars and, very rarely, bleeding behind the eye that threatens vision.
- Browpexy or brow lift: asymmetry of the brows, temporary or, rarely, lasting numbness of the forehead or scalp, changes in brow shape and, with hairline incisions, visible scarring or hair changes along the scar.
- Ptosis correction: under- or over-correction, asymmetry of lid height and the need for adjustment.
General anaesthesia carries its own risks, and dissatisfaction with the result may lead to further surgery.
How is the right procedure chosen?
The right procedure is chosen after a careful examination of the brow position, the eyelid skin, the height and strength of the eyelid, tear function and your general health.
Useful questions to ask at your consultation:
- Is my hooding caused by skin, my brow, ptosis or a combination?
- Would blepharoplasty alone give the result I am hoping for?
- Is a browpexy or another brow procedure appropriate in my case?
- How will combining procedures affect my recovery?
You can read more about the procedure, recovery and risks on the blepharoplasty page. Suitability is always decided at a medical examination.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether my brow has dropped?
A simple home check is to look in a mirror with your face relaxed and gently lift your eyebrows with your fingertips. If much of the hooding disappears, a low brow is likely contributing. Another clue is a habit of raising your eyebrows to see clearly, which can cause horizontal forehead lines. This is only an indication; a proper assessment requires a medical examination.
Can anti-wrinkle injections lift a drooping brow instead of surgery?
Anti-wrinkle injections can sometimes produce a small lift of the outer brow by relaxing the muscles that pull it down. The effect is modest and temporary, usually lasting a few months, and it does not remove excess eyelid skin. In some people it is a reasonable short-term option; in others, particularly with marked hooding, it makes little difference.
Is browpexy the same as a full brow lift?
No. Browpexy is a more limited procedure that supports or stabilises the brow, usually through the same upper eyelid incision used for blepharoplasty. It can achieve a modest lift or prevent the brow from being pulled down. A full brow lift involves different incisions, often in the hairline or scalp, and can achieve greater elevation, but it is a larger operation.
Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery · Medical Director, AYT Clinic
This page is for general information only and does not replace a medical consultation. Suitability, risks and expected results are assessed individually during an examination.