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As authorities on the cosmetic and health conditions of the eyes, Los Angeles area Eyesthetica sees many patients seeking to fix a condition known as “hooded eyes,” in which the eyelids look heavy and the skin on the upper eyelids is barely visible. Many patients who are bothered by the look of hooded eyes but hesitant about undergoing surgery to repair them ask us: can a non-surgical treatment like Botox provide the desired correction? Here, our eye doctors address the answer.

When Botox Can Help

Botox is commonly used to relax specific facial muscles, which has the effect of smoothing wrinkles in the treated area. Certain cases of hooded eyes are due to low eyebrow position or slight brow drooping (sometimes due to genetic factors). In these cases, Botox can be used to lift the outer tail of the eyebrow; elevating the brow subtly lifts the upper eyelid and reveals a small amount of eyelid skin.

Our doctors inject small amounts of Botox into the lower forehead and outer tail of the eyebrows. It paralyzes the depressor muscle responsible for the eyebrow drooping (while keeping the elevator muscles, which raise the brow, intact). Raising the brow just a few millimeters helps the eyes look more open and awake. However, this approach requires an experienced doctor who is careful not to over-correct the area and produce an artificial-looking result.

While Botox can be helpful in these cases, it is only a short-term solution. As the neurotoxin wears off over the course of a few months, the eyebrow muscles regain their strength and the brow starts to droop again write my coursework, hooding the eyes.

When Botox Cannot Help

If the eyes look hooded because of pronounced brow droop or a considerable amount of excess eyelid skin, Botox is decidedly ineffective. No injectable product can reduce or tighten the skin — the only solution is to have it surgically excised through upper eyelid surgery.

Upper eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty tweaks the deep structures of the upper eyelid to give the eyes a rested, pleasant appearance. The operation involves removing excess eyelid skin, repositioning fat and tweaking the muscles as needed to flatten and firm the lids.

Eyelid surgery is the better long-term option, and results last for many years. The eyes continue to age, albeit at a slower pace.

Contact Eyesthetica

To learn more about Botox and eyelid surgery in Los Angeles and to determine which method is best for your unique aesthetic goals and needs, please schedule a consultation at Eyesthetica. Our talented eyelid surgeons can evaluate your eyes and recommend which solution is right for you. Office locations in Encino, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Torrance, and Valencia.

Contact Eyesthetica

To learn more abot Botox™ or our other eyelid surgery procedures, call or book an appointment today.