Are your eyes not looking as snatched as they did once upon a time? It seems you're not alone. 'What causes droopy eyelids?' is at breakout on Google Trends, up by a staggering 5,000%.

"Droopy eyelids, or ptosis, is a condition that affects many of us as we age, but there can also be other underlying factors that lead to this," says Britain Todd, Founder of Contours Rx. "By understanding factors that contribute to droopy eyelids, we can help in managing and preventing the condition effectively."

Causes of droopy eyelids

"Droopy eyelids, or ptosis, is primarily due to the natural ageing process which weakens the skin and muscles around the eyes," continues Todd. "This weakening is largely due to a decline in collagen and elastin, essential proteins that maintain skin firmness, coupled with the deterioration of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle, responsible for lifting the eyelid. Additionally, genetic factors can predispose individuals to ptosis if it is prevalent in their family. Various medical conditions, including Horner's syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and nerve damage, can also contribute to this condition. Furthermore, lifestyle factors such as excessive sun exposure, smoking, and inadequate sleep can accelerate the ageing of skin and muscle around the eyes, exacerbating the droopiness."

Addressing droopy eyelids

While some causes are unavoidable, there are preventive measures and exercises that can help manage and potentially delay the onset of droopy eyelids. "Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants helps to support skin health," says Todd. "Always avoid smoking, excessive sun exposure, and ensure you're getting sufficient sleep. In addition to this, regular eye exercises can help strengthen the muscles around your eyes." Here are a few exercises to consider.

• Eyebrow lift: Place your fingers just above your eyebrows and gently push down while lifting your eyebrows. Hold for a few seconds and then relax. Repeat 10 times. This exercise helps strengthen the muscles that support the eyelids.
• Eye squeeze: Close your eyes tightly and then open them wide. Repeat this 10-15 times. This exercise can help improve muscle tone and reduce sagging.
• Blinking exercise: Blink rapidly for 30 seconds, then close your eyes and relax for 30 seconds. This exercise can help keep the eyelid muscles active and engaged.
• Eye rolling: Look up and roll your eyes in a circular motion. Repeat this in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. This exercise can help with muscle flexibility and strength.

The at home fix

Contours Rx Lids by Design
Contours Rx Lids by Design offers a quick and effective non-surgical alternative, delivering an immediate lift and definition for a youthful look that lasts all day, says Todd. "With 24-hour wear, these eyelid strips are ideal for both daily use and special occasions. Crafted from high-quality organic and medical-grade materials, dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and latex-free, I wanted to ensure Lids by Design is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Their ease of application makes them a straightforward solution for enhancing appearance without the complexities of surgery."

The surgical solution

Ptosis surgery
For a more permanent solution, ptosis correction involves surgery under local anaesthetic to tighten the eye’s levator muscle. Incision and post-operative stitching are made in the eyelid crease, so no scarring will be visible once the eyelid is healed—it is hidden in the crease. Recovery takes approximately seven days. "When addressing droopy eyelids, it is important that you have a thorough consultation to determine if the cause is dermatochalasis (excess upper eyelid skin) or ptosis (drooping of the eyelid margin)," shares EV Expert and Founder of The Clinic, Jenny Doyle. "For ptosis, your surgeon will perform an ocular examination to exclude any underlying causes. In most cases it is due to the muscle that lifts the eyelid called the levator slipping back from its attachment slightly. This can be exacerbated by things like contact lens wear. Ptosis surgery generally involves finding and advancing or reattaching the levator muscle, and generally gives a permanent fix."

The in clinic add on

Sofwave Brow Lift
Complement your surgery and lift a droopy brow or brow tail with the no-downtime Sofwave Brow Lift. Tried and tested by EV Editors, this non-surgical ultrasound treatment uses unparalleled Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam technology, designed to treat skin with minimal discomfort. Depending on your pain threshold, Sofwave can be uncomfortable around the eyes (our Editor Rebecca can confirm this), however a numbing cream applied to the periocular region is available, which takes the edge off. It's also a very quick treatment, so can be fitted into a lunch hour. It can also be used on the eyelids and full face, as well as brows, and one treatment is normally all that's needed for results that improve over time (three months is the sweet spot), and last 1-2 years.
Book now: Jenny Doyle at The Clinic, Holland Park, London