Heavy Eye Lids
Do You Look Like You Are Always Tired? : Heavy Eye Lids Could Be The Cause.
Do you look permanently tired? do your upper eye lids look heavy and hanging? You are not alone.
In this article I look at 8 causes for heavy eye lids and also reveal some remedies that you can try at home.
Contents
Eyelids can become heavy and sag for a number of reasons, these can include:
- Fatigue
- Ageing
- Hereditary – family genetics
- Allergies
- Dry Eye
- Blepharitis
- Dermatochalasis
- Ptosis
Looking At These Causes In More Depth
Fatigue
When you are tired, the muscles that hold the upper eyelids (called the levator muscles) up in their correct position get weak and tired. After holding your eyelids up all day, they can sort to relax and sag.
Ageing
As we get slightly older, our skin can become less elastic and supple. This along with the result of years of exposure to the sun and the fact that we rub our eyelids daily ( putting on makeup, taking it off, cleansing etc etc) can cause the thin skin in and around our eyelids to stretch.
Once the skin is stretched the eyelids are less likely to ‘bounce back’ to their normal position.
Hereditary – Family Genetics
If your parents or grandparents have droopy or heavy eyelids, then its very likely that you will have the same.
Allergies
Any allergies, especially those seasonal ones like hay fever or allergies to animals can irritate the eyes and surrounding areas, they can become swollen, congested, along with redness and itching, often causing them to have that heavy look.
Dry Eye
Dry eye is a medical condition caused when the amount of tears being produced is not enough to keep the eye properly lubricated.
Dry eye can cause a feeling of heaviness to the eye lids, along with symptoms that can include redness, and stinging.
This problem can be treated with certain OTC remedies and also prescription medications including liftigrast and cyclosporine. some cases could require surgery.
Blepharitis
A condition that causes inflammation of the upper eyelid causing them to look and feel heavy. this is accompanied by redness and often a crustiness along the lash line.
This can be treated by warm compresses, eye drops and lid scrubs.
Dermatochalasis
The medical name for excess eye lid skin tissue. common in the over 50’s it is largely a part of the ageing process.
This can be treated with a surgical procedure known as Blepharoplasty (aka eyelid lift surgery)
Ptosis
This is diagnosed when your upper eye lid falls much lower than it should, also called blepharoptosis. It can in some cases fall so low that it interferes with your vision and can impact your appearance.
Just as with Dermatochalasis, this condition can also be treated with the surgical procedure Blepharoplasty.
How To Treat Heavy Eye Lids At Home
There are a couple of home remedies that you can use to hep treat certain cases of heavy eye lids.
A study carried out in 2013 showed that (for instance) omega-3 fatty acids when taken in supplement form had a positive effect on heavy eye lids
Tea Tree Oil –
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil with 2 drops of tea tree oils and massage gently into your eyelids. Its great at soothing any moisturising dry skin, and helps to boost elasticity.
Tea tree oil is known for its anti inflammatory and anti bacterial effects, these benefits were confirmed in a 2006 study
Black Tea –
The use of black tea is well known in the treatment of blepharitis ( a fact demonstrated in a 2001 study).
It has natural anti inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Place a black tea bag into boiling water and then allow to cool.
Squeeze the excess water from the bag and place the tea bag onto your eyelids – leave for at least 10 minutes ( a good excuse for a cat nap !)
Eye Lid Strips
These innovative little strips are made with a clear, adhesive anti allergic material, they are stuck to the upper eye lid, they are completely invisible and work by effectively holding the eye lid up in its correct position.
Not a permanent treatment, they last for about 12 hours, they are relatively inexpensive, simple to use and perfect for that night out or simply days when you just feel ‘heavy eyed’
There are a few brands out there, one brand that I have personally tried is made by UK based Eye Secrets – Their ‘upper eyelid lift strips’ have been featured in the media and are thought to be hugely popular with some ‘A list’ celebrities too.
Read More About Eye Secrets Upper Eye Lid Lift Strips
Have You Ever Suffered From Heavy Eye Lids? What Did You Do To Try And Treat The Problem ?- Please Share Your Experiences Below
Hi There, My name Is Donna, I am 61 years young, I have daughter of 36, and live in Hertfordshire, just north of London.
A very big welcome to Green Geranium.
I am passionate about skincare, I have a key interest in products and routines that help look after and care for slightly older skin.
As I have got that little bit older myself, and largely based on my own experiences, my main aim has been trying to answer skincare questions and problems faced by women of a certain age.
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Thanks Donna x
I am a firm believer in the old fashioned remedies – a couple of slices of cucumber laid over your eyes for 10-15 minutes or even cooled tea bags work wonders. I have to say though that these strips look really good – especially if you want a quick fix..
HI Susan – I agree about the tea bags and cucumber, both are proven and effective ways to brighten up tired looking, puffy eyes. You are right though about these eye lid strips.
They aren’t a permanent cure, but they can really make a dramatic difference if you are looking a bit sleepy eyed.
Thanks again Donna x