Droopy Eyelids
Do your eyes make you look tired or older than your years? A heavy brow or drooping eyelid could be one of the most common culprits. In more pronounced cases, it can even affect how open or awake your eyes appear. Many people find this one of the more visible, harder-to-hide signs of facial aging.
Droopy eyelids and sagging brows aren't always the same thing. Sometimes it's the brow itself sitting lower on the forehead, or in other cases, loose skin folding over the eyelid crease. Many people can have a mix of both, which is why the first step is working out which is driving the look you're seeing.
What are droopy eyelids?
Medically known as ptosis, a drooping eyelid refers to the descent of the upper eyelid. In mild cases, it's mostly a cosmetic concern, but in more pronounced cases, it can also affect your field of vision.
Droopy eyelids are most commonly associated with aging, but they can also appear in younger people, often due to genetics, lifestyle factors, or an underlying medical condition.
What are the different forms of eyelid drooping?
Drooping can come from a few different sources: loss of skin elasticity, a brow that's positioned lower, or the weakening of muscle responsible for lifting the eyelid itself.
- Brow ptosis: the brow drops lower on the forehead, which can make the upper eyelid area look heavier even if the eyelid skin itself hasn't changed much.
- Eyelid hooding (dermatochalasis): loose or excess skin folds over the eyelid crease, independent of where the brow sits.
- True ptosis: weakening or dysfunction of the levator muscle, the muscle responsible for lifting the eyelid.
These often appear together, since a lower brow can press down on the eyelid and make hooding more noticeable, and vice versa.
What causes droopy eyelids and sagging brows?
- Age-related laxity – skin naturally loses elasticity and firmness over time, allowing the brow and eyelid to settle lower.
- Eye rubbing – repeated rubbing, often from allergies or fatigue, can stretch the delicate skin around the eyes. It can also worsen pigmentation and contribute to more dryness over time.
- Genetics and anatomy – brow shape, eyelid structure, and skin thickness vary from person to person, and some people are simply born with a predisposition to eyelid sagging.
- Lifestyle factors – poor sleep and excessive stress can affect how tired and heavy the eye area looks.
- Neurological conditions – in some cases, drooping is linked to an underlying nerve or muscle condition rather than skin laxity alone.
- Sun exposure – repeated, unprotected sun exposure can accelerate the breakdown of the skin's elasticity.
- Weakening of the levator muscle – the muscle responsible for lifting the upper eyelid can weaken with age, contributing to a heavier eyelid appearance.
What can help?
At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we take a layered, doctor-led approach to droopy eyelids and sagging brows. Depending on the cause, your doctor may recommend a combination of medical treatment, skin care, or lifestyle changes.
Medical (doctor-led)
- Botulinum Toxin – relaxes the muscles that pull the brow down, offering a subtle lift, typically around one to two millimeters. It addresses drooping linked to muscle pull rather than skin laxity.
- Doctor-Led RF Skin Tightening for Eyes – designed specifically for the delicate eye area and uses controlled radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen and tighten existing collagen fibers. It can help with looseness around the brow and upper lid.
- Monopolar RF Eyes – delivers high-frequency heat deep into the dermis to stimulate collagen production. It can be used on the delicate eyelid area to address sagging and refine fine wrinkles.
- Ultherapy PRIME – uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production. It helps with gradually lifting the skin on the brow and improving the appearance of hooding over time.
Aesthetic (therapist-led)
- Exilis Ultra 360 – combines radiofrequency and ultrasound energy to heat and tighten the skin, helping tone sagging areas around the eyes.
Skincare and lifestyle
- Keep a consistent skincare routine
- Use an eye cream formulated to support skin elasticity.
- Avoid excessive eye rubbing
- Reduce sun exposure and wear sunglasses outdoors
- Stay hydrated
- Get enough sleep
What to Expect
The number of sessions, downtime, and timeline depend on the treatment and the underlying cause. Botulinum Toxin typically takes about two weeks to show full effect and can last three to four months.
Ultherapy PRIME and RF-based treatments work more gradually. Visible change builds over two to three months as collagen rebuilds, with further improvements in the months after.
Downtime is generally minimal, though mild redness, bruising, or tenderness at the treated area is possible for a few days. Your doctor will go through what to expect for your specific plan during your consultation.
When Non-Surgical Treatment Isn't the Answer
If drooping is severe, especially if it's affecting your vision, a non-surgical treatment likely won't be enough. In such cases, seeing an ophthalmologist or plastic surgeon is the right next step. Surgical options like blepharoplasty or ptosis repair fall outside what we offer at Cutis, but we can help point you in the right direction.
FAQs
Is Botulinum Toxin safe for lifting the brows?
When administered by a trained and skilled doctor, Botulinum Toxin is a safe and commonly used option for a subtle brow lift. As with any injectable, there are risks and considerations, which your doctor will go through with you during a consultation.
Can droopy eyelids affect my vision?
In more pronounced cases, drooping skin can affect how open the eyes appear. If you're concerned about your vision, this is worth raising during a consultation so you can be guided toward the right specialist if needed.
Do I need surgery to fix sagging brows?
Not necessarily. Non-surgical options like Botulinum Toxin, RF-based treatments, and Ultherapy PRIME can help improve mild to moderate cases. More severe drooping, however, may require a surgical opinion from an ophthalmologist or plastic surgeon.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on the cause and severity of the drooping, as well as which treatment is recommended. Your doctor will outline a plan tailored to you after an assessment.
How much does droopy eyelid treatment cost in Singapore?
The cost of droopy eyelid treatment depends on the recommended procedure, the number of sessions needed, and individual treatment plan. You will have more information about the cost during a consultation.
Ready to find out what's behind your eye concern?
Book a personalized consultation with us to talk through what you're concerned about and explore the treatment options that suit your skin and your goals. WhatsApp us at +65 9780 2079 to book a consultation at Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore.
The information on this page is intended for educational purposes and does not replace a proper diagnosis. Every case is different, so the right next step is a consultation with our medical team.
Ready to find out what's behind your eye concern?
Book a personalized consultation with us to talk through what you're concerned about and explore the treatment options that suit your skin and your goals. WhatsApp us at +65 9780 2079 to book a consultation at Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore.
