It’s Not Just Aging Causing the Dreaded Droop
Droopy eyelids—scientific name ptosis—happen as a part of the body’s natural aging process. As our collagen production decreases our skin begins to lose its texture and firmness and starts to sag. This loss of elasticity causes fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet and it’s often the eyes that show the first signs of aging. The skin around the eye area is finer and more delicate so the dreaded eyelid droop is a telltale sign of aging. Genetics play a major role but lifestyle factors also contribute to sagging.
1. Gene Pool
Unfortunately, genetics play a major role in how your face ages. So if you have a family history of sagging eyelids you’re more susceptible to the dreaded droop.
2. Biological Aging
As we age our collagen production slows down causing the skin to lose its elasticity resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, and an aged appearance. Aging is also the main cause of droopy eyelids according to Very Well Health.
3. Sun Damage
The sun’s UV rays damage the skin and speed up the aging process according to cosmetic dermatologist and skin surgeon Dr. Carole Hazan. When the structure of the skin’s DNA is damaged it causes fine lines, wrinkles, redness, and the delicate skin around your eye area to sag.
4. Smoking Droop
Smoking cigarettes and vaping causes premature aging in the skin. When the skin loses elasticity it leads to crow’s feet and droopy eyelids.
5. Sleep Disorders
A lack of sleep, poor quality sleep, and chronic sleep deprivation make your skin sag faster and it’s usually the eye area that is most affected.
6. Allergic Reactions
Seasonal allergies and allergic reactions cause inflammation and swelling in the eye area resulting in watery puffy eyes and drooping eyelids over time.
7. Eye Rubbing
The skin around the eye area is finer and more delicate so if you constantly rub your eyes you could damage the skin and cause sagging eyelids.
8. Nutritional Deficiencies
If you have a poor diet you are most likely lacking in essential nutrients and vitamins, especially vitamins C and E. Nutritional deficiencies impact the skin’s health, speed up aging, and cause the eyelids to head south.
9. Dehydration Levels
Women need to drink around 2.7 liters of water per day (ideally filtered). If you aren’t getting your fill, your body becomes dehydrated. This causes the skin to lose its glow along with its firmness, and elasticity causing droopy eyelids.
10. Weight Loss
Weight loss, especially rapid, leads to loose sagging skin, especially around the eye area, which contributes to the dreaded droop.
11. Weak Muscles
A weakening of the muscles around the eyes particularly the levator muscles, can cause eyelids to droop. The eye muscles can become weaker from reading, driving writing, screen time, air conditioners, and drinking alcohol.
12. Screen Time
Excessive screen time, particularly staring at your phone or computer for extended periods can strain the eyes, and weaken the eye muscles. This causes the skin around the eye area to sag.
13. Facial Expressions
In addition to the gravitational pull that comes with aging, repeated facial expressions and movements cause sagging skin and droopy eyelids.
14. Skin Conditions
Dermatological conditions like eczema and dermatitis weaken the skin causing the eyelids to droop. More serious medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure also affect the skin’s health and contribute to eye sagging.
15. Eye Surgery
If you have poor eyesight or prior eye surgeries a potential side effect can be droopy eyelids.
16. Hormonal Fluctuations
Aging and hormonal imbalances from poor diet and conditions like menopause can damage the skin’s elasticity resulting in droopy eyelids.