Yes, a specific variation targeting the upper portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle can help lift sagging upper eyelids. [1]
While the standard squint focuses primarily on the lower eyelid, you can shift the resistance upward to isolate and tone the upper eyelid fibers. This helps firm the muscle structure supporting hooded or drooping skin.
The Upper Eyelid Lift Variation
1. Place Your Visual Anchors: Place your three middle fingers flat horizontally directly underneath your eyebrows.
2. Apply Upward Resistance: Push your eyebrows gently upward and slightly outward against your brow bone. This creates tension across the upper eyelid skin. [1]
3. Squeeze Against the Pull: Look down toward the floor. Try to close your eyes completely by pulling your upper eyelids downward, while your fingers actively hold your eyebrows up.
4. Hold the Contraction: Squeeze tightly enough to feel a distinct stretch and a slight tremor in the upper lid. Hold this position for 5 seconds. [1]
5. Relax and Repeat: Open your eyes slowly. Complete 10 to 12 repetitions in a single session.
⚠️ Essential Execution Tips
-
Do Not Move the Brow: Your fingers must strictly lock your eyebrows in place. If your eyebrows move downward when you try to close your eyes, you are losing the resistance.
-
Avoid Forehead Wrinkling: Ensure you are not pushing your forehead upward with your forehead muscles (frontalis). The lift must come entirely from your finger placement and upper eyelid counter-pull.
-
Moisturise First: Always perform this on clean, moisturised skin to prevent friction, dragging, or micro-tears on the delicate eyelid tissue.
What to Expect Realistically
This muscle conditioning can beautifully improve minor, age-related sagging by adding tone to the underlying muscle bed. However, if the sagging is severe or caused by true ptosis (a stretched or detached elevator muscle) or significant dermatochalasis (excessive loose skin), facial exercises will have limited effects. In those clinical cases, medical options like surgical blepharoplasty or non-invasive plasma fibroblast treatments are typically required for a noticeable lift.
If you are noticing this drooping, is it worse in one eye than the other, or is it affecting your field of vision when you look up?