Sagging Eyelids

Sagging eyelids are caused when the layers of skin, below and above the eye, begin to lose their elasticity and firmness. Some of the sagging eyelids causes are - the natural aging process, intake of foods rich in sugar, stress and depression, fatigue, migraine, inadequate sleep, smoking, accumulation of toxins in the body, thyroid dysfunction and fluid retention. If the eyelid sagging is restricted to only one eye, the reason could be development of stye or chalazion on the eyelid skin, a nerve injury or some medical problem. Sometimes, serious diseases like a brain or eye tumor can cause this condition to develop too.

There are a number of ways to treat and minimize sagging eyelids, ranging from cosmetic to medical to some effective home remedies. Here is a brief on all such methods to get rid of puffy eyes, under eye bags and of course, drooping eyelids.

Medical and Cosmetic Treatment for Sagging Eyelids

Blepharoplasty
In order to treat sagging eyelids, blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure in which excess skin, fats and muscles around the eye area are removed and repositioned, is performed. Blepharoplasty helps the person in getting rid of the puffiness around the eyes, dark circles, bags below the eyes as well as any excess skin around the eye area. Blepharoplasty is usually recommended by doctors if the person is not able to even open his eyes properly due to drooping eyelids.

Botox Injections
Botox injections are another way to get rid of the sagging eyelids. Botulinum Toxin Type A, the compound used in botox injections, when injected into the skin, paralyzes the muscles and the contractions which cause wrinkles. This results in reduced appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around the eye. Effects of botox, a cosmetic treatment, usually last for about three months, after that the entire procedure has to be repeated.

Home Remedies for Sagging Eyelids

Healthy Diet
In order to get rid of sagging eyelids, the best remedy would be to eat natural, healthy diet and preferably become a vegetarian. Eating a well-balanced diet which is rich in antioxidants and vitamins E and A, eliminating high sugar food items from the diet, consuming lots of water to keep the skin hydrated and supple, can help in slowing down the process of sagging eyelids. Consuming vegetable and fruit juices and cooking food in olive oil, will help in better absorption and digestion, thereby making the skin more youthful with time. Snacking on nuts everyday keeps the skin around the eyes in good shape too.

Potatoes
In order to get rid of puffy eyes as well as sagging eyelids, cut thin slices of potatoes and place them on both the eyes. Leave them on for about fifteen minutes. This will not only relax you, but also bring down the swelling around the eyes. Potatoes contain a substance known as catecholase which has skin lightening properties. Thus, potatoes can help both in the removal of the dark circles under eyes as well as puffy eyelids.

Exercises
Certain exercises, if performed appropriately, help in restoring the youthful firm look of the skin above the eyes. The easiest of sagging eyelids exercises is placing a finger under the eyebrow and slowly lifting it, keeping it there for about five seconds and then bringing the eyebrow back to its original position. Another exercise which can help in strengthening the muscles around the eyes is keeping the fingers on the temple and then slowly pulling the skin below and above the eye towards the ears.

Meditation and Rest
As mentioned above, under eye dark circles and puffy, droopy eyes can be caused due to the emotional stress that a person is experiencing. By making a routine of meditation, combined with breathing exercises, a person can overcome stress in his life. Sleeping for seven to eight hours every day will help too. Thus, adequate resting, sleeping and doing meditation is one of the keys to getting rid of droopy eyelids.

Make-up for Sagging Eyelids

The make up for sagging eyelids should be done in such a way that the eyes look young, shapely and large. When applying eye shadow, choose colors such as brown and gray as they help in hiding the loose skin. Avoid using any kind of shining eye shadows as they will draw attention to the droopy eyelids. To make the eyes look bright and youthful, apply a dark eye liner on the upper eye lashes, followed by a thick mascara. Avoid using mascara on the lower lashes as it might draw attention to the sagging skin below the eyes.

Although, treating this eye problem completely, without a surgery or a cosmetic procedure is not possible, yet, with proper eye care, eye exercises, a healthy diet and some clever make up, you can certainly minimize the droopy look of your eyelids. In any case, if sagging eyelids are affecting your vision in some way or if the eyelid closes completely, it is recommended that instead of trying to solve this problem yourself, a doctor should be consulted immediately, for proper diagnoses and treatment.