Sagging or drooping eyelids can be caused by a number of medical conditions, including serious nerve or autoimmune-related issues. They are also a common result of lack of sleep or stress, but are also quite often associated with simple aging, linked to loosening skin and weakened muscles. Genetic factors can also contribute, as the condition may be inherited and worsened by excess skin above the eyes.
In many cases, Botox can be used to create noticeable improvements, even though it doesn’t play any direct role in reducing or tightening loose skin folds.
How Can Botox Lift Droopy Eyelids?
Botox works by selectively inhibiting the passage of nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. The eyelids are controlled by several muscles that work partly in opposition. The Orbicularis oculi muscles close the eyelids, the levator palpebrae superioris muscles work to lift the upper lid, and eyelid opening is also assisted by müller’s muscle, and by the frontalis muscle that acts to lift the eyebrows.
Although there’s a complex relationship among the muscles that work together, careful application of Botox can partially relax the sections of the orbicularis oculi muscle that primarily pull the eyebrow and eyelids downward. This allows the frontalis muscle to work more effectively in lifting the eyebrows, which allows the eye to open more fully, and acts to reduce the appearance of hooded eyes. The upper eyelid can be raised by between 1 and 2 mm using this technique, enough to have a quite visible effect.
Botox and the Subtle Correction of Eyebrow Asymmetry
It’s not uncommon for patients to compensate for a slight asymmetry between their eyebrows by unconsciously raising one eyebrow higher than the other. This can happen over the course of many years and can result in the gradual development of deeper facial lines on the dominant side of the face. After using Botox to relax sagging eyelids, it’s possible for previously unremarked facial asymmetries to become apparent.
This is one area where using an experienced practitioner will pay dividends, as they should be able to at least partially anticipate this effect and compensate by adjusting the position and dose used. There’s no easy way to predict exactly how the complex interrelating muscles around the eye will adjust to the use of Botox, but practitioners who combine experience with skill and intuition can effectively correct facial asymmetry.
The Benefits of Botox For Area Around Eyes
It’s common for the results of Botox eyelid procedures to last for between 10 and 16 weeks. When the procedure is repeated regularly, the duration of benefits often increases as the treated muscles slowly adapt and require less Botox to achieve the same effect. In some cases, it may be possible to increase the period between treatments.
The duration of benefits from injecting Botox into the eyebrows is somewhat shorter than that seen when using Botox to treat other parts of the face. Only small doses of Botox are used when treating the eyebrows, but the skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the face, and it overlays a rich network of blood vessels. This combination results in the Botox toxin being eliminated from the body relatively quickly. The act of blinking also causes thousands of micro-muscle contractions every day, and this also serves to speed up the elimination process.
Realistic Expectations and Limitations of Botox Treatment
Botox cannot directly counteract having excess skin or lost volume, so it will be more effective in cases where sagging eyelids are linked to muscle activity. For this reason, Botox may not always produce desired results. Your practitioner should be able to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
Schedule a Free Botox Consultation With Your Laser Skin Care
Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox procedures. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs, and prioritize minimalistic application and natural-looking results. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.
