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Due to regulatory guidelines, we are unable to list specific brand names on our website and have used replacement terms instead. To find out what these terms refer to, please contact us directly.
Due to regulatory guidelines, we are unable to list specific brand names on our website and have used replacement terms instead. To find out what these terms refer to, please contact us directly.
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How to Tell if You Have Hooded Eyes and Ways to Improve Their Appearance

By SL Aesthetic Clinic
  • Published Date:
Last Updated:
August 20, 2025
What is Hooded Eyes and How to Improve their Appearance

TL;DR 

  • Hooded eyes can be genetic or age-related; while not harmful they can feel heavy or make you look tired. 
  • Non-surgical options like lasers, microneedling and injectables. 
  • These treatments work by stimulating collagen, firming skin, and lifting the brow/eyelid area gradually.

Table of Contents

As an aesthetic doctor, I’ve had many patients sit in my chair, point to their eyes and ask, “Why do I always look tired—even after 8 hours of sleep?”

More often than not, they’re pointing at what we call hooded eyes. And don’t worry—hooded eyes are far from a flaw. In fact, many people (including celebs) have naturally hooded eyes and look stunning. But if yours have become more prominent over time and you’re noticing puffiness, heaviness, or sagging, you might wonder: Is there anything I can do about this without undergoing surgery?

The answer is yes.

Let’s walk through what hooded eyes are, why they happen, and the best ways to brighten and rejuvenate your eyes, without surgery.

You might be interested in: Under Eye (Tear Trough) in Singapore

What Are Hooded Eyes? (And What's the Difference from Ptosis?)

Hooded eyes refer to an extra fold of skin that droops over the natural eyelid crease. Some people are born with them, while others notice hooding more as they age. Here’s how you can do a quick self-check at home:

  • Take a photo of yourself looking straight into the camera with relaxed eyes.
  • If your upper eyelid skin folds over and hides the crease, especially if it’s more prominent on one side, you likely have hooded eyes.
  • If that fold covers part of your pupil, you may be dealing with ptosis.

There are two main types of hooded eyes – genetic hooded eyes that are present from a young age, and acquired hooded eyes caused by ageing, collagen loss or brow drooping. 

It’s essential to distinguish hooded eyes from ptosis, a medical condition where the upper eyelid droops over the pupil, sometimes impairing vision. Ptosis usually requires surgery, while hooded eyes often respond well to non-invasive aesthetic treatments.

What Causes Hooded Eyes to Appear or Worsen?

Hooded eyes can become more prominent over time, especially as our skin and facial structure evolve with age. While some people are born with a naturally hooded shape, others develop it gradually due to internal and external factors.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common reasons why hooding becomes more noticeable:

  • Ageing: Collagen and elastin loss lead to skin sagging
  • Genetics: Inherited facial structure or eyelid shape
  • Fatigue or fluid retention: Puffy eyelids can exaggerate hooding
  • Brow heaviness: Drooping in the brow or temple region can weigh the eyelid down

Non-Surgical Treatments for Hooded Eyes

Here are some of our most effective in-clinic options for lifting hooded eyelids:

SmoothEye® (Laser Eye Rejuvenation)

SmoothEye® uses non-ablative Er:YAG laser energy to heat the deeper layers of skin around the eyes gently. It works by warming the deeper layers of skin without damaging the surface, helping your body produce more collagen. Over time, this can reduce crepey texture, fine lines, and mild sagging, giving your eyes a fresher, more lifted look.

Clinical studies have shown that such RF treatments can significantly improve skin laxity and firmness, with effects lasting up to 24 weeks post-treatment.

Why it’s effective:

  • Comfortable and noninvasive—great for first-timers.
  • Targets early sagging with visible firming, and under-eye puffiness as a bonus.
  • A strong option for tightening delicate skin without downtime.

Best for: Early signs of hooding, puffiness, fine lines, mild sagging
Results: Firmer, more lifted skin over 2–3 months
Sessions: 1–2 sessions per year
Downtime: Minimal

RF Gold Microneedling

RF Gold Microneedling combines radiofrequency energy with ultra-fine microneedles to create micro-injuries and deliver heat beneath the skin surface. This dual action triggers collagen renewal and improves both tone and firmness. It is an effective choice for treating periorbital wrinkles (crow’s feet) and improving skin laxity with minimal downtime.

Why it’s effective:

  • Combines lifting, brightening, and texture refinement in one.
  • Stimulates natural collagen production, leading to firmer, brighter-looking eyes
  • Ideal if you want a multi-action solution in a single treatment.

Best for: Dark eye circles, early sagging, crepey, thinning skin, and uneven tone
Results: Firmer, brighter under-eyes within 4–6 weeks
Sessions: 3 sessions initially, followed by maintenance every 6–12 months
Downtime: Mild redness or dryness for 1–3 days

RF Thermalift FLX (Deep RF Tightening)

RF Thermalift FLX is a well-established skin tightening treatment that uses deep radiofrequency (RF) energy to lift and firm the skin without surgery or downtime. It safely heats the deeper layers of your skin to stimulate the production of new collagen over time.

When used around the eyes, RF Thermalift FLX helps smooth out crepey texture, gently lift sagging skin, and improve overall firmness.

Why it’s effective:

  • One of the longest-lasting eye tightening options—results from just one session.
  • Perfect for those wanting prevention or subtle maintenance.
  • No downtime, no needles, just a deep collagen boost that works over time.

Best for: Mild sagging, crepey skin, long-term prevention
Results: Gradual tightening over 2–6 months as collagen rebuilds
Sessions: Once a year
Downtime: None

HIFU Treatment (Ultraformer MPT & Ultherapy Prime)

HIFU uses focused ultrasound to stimulate collagen production at multiple skin depths. When used on the brow and temple, it gives a natural lifting effect to the upper eyelid area.

An example of HIFU treatment for eyes is Ultherapy Prime, which uses real-time imaging to target tissue precisely. Ultherapy Prime is FDA-cleared for brow lifting.

Why it’s effective:

  • No needles or injections
  • Tightens skin without adding volume
  • Ideal for those not ready for injectables
  • Builds collagen for long-term results

Best for: Mild to moderate sagging, softening brows, tired eyes
Results: Gradual lifting and skin tightening over 2–3 months
Sessions: 1 every 6–12 months
Downtime: None

PDRN Injections (for Skin Firmness + Puffiness)

PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), derived from salmon DNA, improves skin elasticity, hydrates, and reduces inflammation. When injected into the upper lid or under-eye area, it helps reduce puffiness and improves texture.

Why it’s effective:

  • Encourages cellular repair and regeneration
  • Naturally reduces puffiness
  • Improves tone and texture over time
  • Beneficial for tired or mature eyes

Best for: Thin, crepey, or tired-looking eyelid skin
Results: Plumper, healthier skin with better firmness
Sessions: 3–5 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart; maintenance every few months
Downtime: Mild swelling or redness for 24–48 hours

Skin Boosters

How it works: Microinjections of skin-loving ingredients into the upper eyelid or under-eye region can improve tone and hydration. Think of it as “dewy skin” from within.

Why it’s effective:

  • Enhances elasticity and smoothness for hooded eyes caused by skin laxity
  • Gives an additional “glow”, causing eyes to look brighter

Best for: Loss of elasticity around the eyes
Results: Healthier, more radiant appearance in delicate areas
Sessions: 2–3 initial sessions, then maintenance every 4–6 months
Downtime: Minimal (tiny injection marks may appear for a day)

Anti Wrinkle Treatment (Brow Lift Technique)

Tiny doses of Anti Wrinkle Treatment are injected around the tail of the brow to elevate it slightly, opening up the upper eyelid space without changing your natural expression.

Why it’s effective:

  • Subtle lift without looking frozen
  • Smooths the upper face and brightens the eyes
  • It can complement other treatments like HIFU or PDRN

Best for: Mild hooding with low or flat brows
Results: Smoother, more lifted appearance within 1–2 weeks
Sessions: Every 4–6 months
Downtime: None

Essentially, the energy-based treatments deliver targeted heat to the deeper layers of your skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production and helping to lift, firm, and smooth the eyes gradually over time. Pairing them with complementary treatments like skin boosters, PDRN, or gentle Anti Wrinkle Treatment can further enhance results by improving hydration, firmness, and overall skin quality around the eyes.

These treatments work best for acquired hooded eyes.

Am I a Good Candidate for Non-Surgical Eye Lifting?

You’re likely suitable for a non-surgical eye lift if:

  • Your eyelids feel heavy, but don’t block your vision
  • You want a lifted, brighter look without a dramatic change
  • You’re open to gradual improvement, not instant fixes
  • You’ve noticed changes in your upper lid or brow area over time and want a gentle refresh
  • You prefer subtle enhancement over dramatic change or want to avoid surgery altogether

A professional facial assessment will help determine the most suitable plan for your facial anatomy, whether it’s lifting at the brow, temple, or eyelid level. Sometimes, we combine approaches (like HIFU and Anti Wrinkle Treatment) to treat different contributing factors, such as brow heaviness, skin laxity, and volume loss.

Every face is different—and your treatment should be, too.

Final Thoughts: Look As Fresh As You Feel

Hooded eyes can be stunning—but if you feel like they’re hiding your expression or making you look more tired than you are, there are elegant, effective solutions available.

Options like SmoothEye, Ultraformer MPT, Ultherapy Prime, and PDRN skin boosters offer a non-invasive approach that makes you feel fresher and more open-eyed—without surgery, filters, or heavy makeup.

Come in for a chat. We’ll take a look, talk about your goals, and create a plan that brings out the brightest version of you.

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