How to Fix Triple Eyelids (& What Causes Them)

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Everything you need to know about multiple eyelid creases
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There are generally two kinds of eyelids: monolids, with no creases, and double lids, with one crease. Some people have triple lids, though, which are eyelids with two creases. They often form with age or changes to your weight, and they’re totally natural and not a health problem, but there are ways to prevent and reverse them. We’ll tell you more about what they are and what causes them , as well as home remedies to try , plus more effective, medical solutions.

How to Get Rid of Triple Eyelids

The only proven ways to get rid of triple eyelids are with medical treatments, including injections or surgery. Home remedies aren’t likely to be very effective, as multiple eyelid creases are typically caused by aging, but taking good care of your skin and health may help promote skin elasticity.

Section 1 of 5:

What are triple eyelids?

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  1. Most eyelids have a single crease or fold (double lids), while others have no creases (monolids). [1] Sometimes, though, an eyelid will have or develop an extra fold, creating 2 ridges of skin above the eye. [2]
    • Triple eyelids are especially common in Asian demographics, but anyone can be born with them as a result of genetics, or develop them later in life as their skin ages and loosens, and they lose fat around their eyes. [3]
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Section 2 of 5:

Are triple eyelids harmful?

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  1. No, triple eyelids are usually normal and not harmful. Usually, a triple eyelid just means the skin of your eyelid is a little loose, or that the structure of your eyelid has changed slightly. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your eye, and it’s also not a “warning sign” of anything. Mostly, it’s a cosmetic issue, and some people are uncomfortable with the look of it, so they might undergo surgery to change it. [4]
    • That said, if you develop a triple eyelid after eyelid surgery, talk to your surgeon and ask if there’s a risk of any sort of complication. A triple eyelid after surgery may mean that the surgeon didn’t perform the procedure perfectly, though there’s still usually little risk. [5]
Section 3 of 5:

What causes triple eyelids?

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  1. Usually, triple eyelids happen when you lose fatty tissue in your eyelids. [6] This fat helps your eyelids look plump and taut, but if you lose the fat, the skin may sag or form new creases naturally, which is how most people’s triple eyelids form. This is known as a “primary triple fold.”
    • This fat loss can happen as you get older and your body naturally changes, and muscle and fat are reduced or redistributed. [7]
    • Fat loss can also happen with weight loss . As you lose facial fat, some of that fat may be taken from your eyelids, causing new folds to appear.
    • It’s also possible that people who are active, athletic, or thin may be more likely to have triple eyelids because of the low amount of fat in their faces, but researchers are still studying this.
  2. 2
    Genes or racial background People with Asian ancestry often develop triple eyelids. This happens just because the structure of their eyelids is more likely to alter as they age and their faces change. [8] It’s a genetic trait passed down through generations, and it’s also totally normal and natural.
    • People with fairer skin or thinner skin might also be more likely to develop triple eyelids, since their skin may loosen with time.
  3. 3
    Eyelid surgery Triple eyelids can also be caused by eyelid corrective surgery, or any other sort of eyelid surgery. A “secondary triple fold” is when a surgeon removes too much tissue, resulting in an extra fold. “Tertiary triple folds” are when a triple fold develops after a secondary corrective surgery. [9]
    • Corrective surgeries are usually done to fix things like folds that are too high, eyelids that retract too far, or eyelids that often turn inside out.
  4. 4
    Contact lenses Recent studies show that people who frequently wear hard contact lenses are more likely to have blepharoptosis, which is the loosening or drooping of the eyelid, which can lead to a triple eyelid. Contact lenses may slightly stretch or shift the muscles and skin around your eyes over time, making your eyelids change. [10]
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Section 4 of 5:

Medical Treatments for Triple Eyelids

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  1. Talk to your doctor about corrective eyelid surgery or other treatments. For permanent results, the best thing to do is to have a professional assess your eyes and recommend a treatment. [11] Home remedies can work, but are rarely permanent. More permanent options include:
    • Blepharoplasty: This is perhaps the most common triple lid corrective surgery, and involves making an incision to remove extra skin from the eye crease. It’s somewhat invasive, but may permanently remove a triple crease. [12]
    • Lipofilling: Lipofilling is when a surgeon injects fat from elsewhere on your body under the skin, making it more taut. [13] It’s a short procedure that’s less invasive, but the results may not be permanent. [14]
    • Gel injections: Gel injections are a more recent and promising procedure where a hyaluronic acid gel is injected under the skin, similar to lipofilling. It’s minimally invasive, and while still new, shows promising results in test patients. [15]
    • Brow lift: A brow lift is a cosmetic surgery that literally raises the brow, making the skin beneath it more taut. It’s sometimes used to correct sagging eyebrows, and while it’s somewhat invasive, it’s also very common and proven. Non-surgical Botox lifts are also available, but are much more temporary. [16]
    • Radiofrequency therapy: This treatment uses electromagnetic heat to tell the body to make more beneficial skin cells, which may alleviate triple eyelids. [17] It’s minimally invasive and often used to correct drooping eyelids, and may help triple eyelids, as well. [18]
Section 5 of 5:

Preventing & Treating Triple Eyelids at Home

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  1. 1
    Wear sunscreen and sunglasses when you go outdoors. Sunscreen and eye protection are a key part of any skincare regimen, especially when it comes to your eyes. [19] The sun can damage your skin, loosening it and potentially leading to triple eyelids. And if you’re not wearing sunglasses, too much squinting can also loosen the skin around your eyes.
    • Use SPF 50 sunscreen specially made for the face , and wear polarized sunglasses outdoors, whenever possible.
    • Keep in mind that this, and many of the following at-home solutions, are preventative and not medically verified, though many people with triple eyelids say they may help.
  2. 2
    Get 7-10 hours of sleep every night. How much sleep you get, and how well you sleep, are well-known to influence the skin around your eyes, so be sure to get plenty of rest . [20] Experts recommend that adults get 7-10 hours of sleep each night. [21]
  3. 3
    Drink about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of water every day. Studies show that staying hydrated helps your skin stay taut, plump, and healthy. [22] That will have an effect on the skin of your eyelids, as well. Experts recommend that men get about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of water each day, while women drink about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) each day. [23]
  4. 4
    Eat foods rich in vitamins that promote skin health. Your daily diet also contributes to your skin health, which includes your eyelid health. Eat a balanced diet that includes healthy fats, protein, iron, and vitamins A, E, and D to keep your skin healthy and glowing. Here are the best foods for just that: [24]
    • Fats: Seeds, nuts, avocado, olive oil
    • Protein: Chicken, fish, seeds, nuts
    • Iron: Leafy green veggies
    • Vitamin A: Potatoes, squash, leafy greens
    • Vitamin E: Seeds, nuts, fish
    • Vitamin D: Eggs, fish, citrus
  5. 5
    Gently wash and moisturize your eyelids to remove debris. Sometimes, triple eyelids can be caused by stickiness from sweat or tears. Wash your eyelids with clean hands in the shower by gently massaging them with warm water and a pea-sized amount of baby shampoo , then rinsing them with cool water. Or, place a damp, warm washcloth over your eyes for 5 minutes. [25]
    • After, moisturize your eyelids with a pea-sized amount of gentle, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer such as petroleum jelly. [26]
  6. 6
    Use eyelid tape or other home remedies to temporarily get rid of them. There are a number of home remedies that users online say work for them, but they’re not medically proven. One big one is using eyelid tape to “glue” creases together, making for a single crease. Be warned that frequent use of eyelid tape can result in looser eyelids, which is counterproductive. [27] Other unproven home remedies include:
    • Using a cotton swab to gently push in the eyelid crease, forming one crease out of two. Over time, this may “train” the eyelid back to normal.
    • Dipping a metal spoon in ice for 60 seconds, then gently pressing it to your eye for 10-15 minutes, making it cold again as needed.
    • Gently massaging the area for 5-10 minutes with your fingertips. Be warned that frequent massaging may loosen the skin, however.
  7. 7
    Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol. Studies show that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol regularly can age the skin on your face. [28] When the skin of your face ages, you may be more likely to get triple eyelids. Quit smoking and quit drinking to keep the skin on your face as healthy as possible.
  8. Allergies, irritation, and other skin conditions can cause wear and tear on the skin of your eyelids, and may cause changes like triple eyelids. If you experience these, talk to your doctor about medications, lotions, or other treatments that may work for you. [29]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/22413-monolid-eyes
      2. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4536059/
      3. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4536059/
      4. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37488313/
      5. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4536059/
      6. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4536059/
      7. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003998.htm
      8. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27065431/
      9. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4536059/
      1. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3690751/
      2. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/eyelids
      3. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4536059/
      4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24027-fat-transfer
      5. ↑ https://www.upmc.com/services/plastic-surgery/services/regenerative-cell-and-tissue-therapies/fat-grafting-treatments/upper-eyelids-and-temples
      6. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27065431/
      7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10784-brow-lift
      8. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24683-radio-frequency-rf-skin-tightening
      9. ↑ https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/non-invasive-radio-frequency-treatment-for-droopy-eyelids
      10. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/eyelids
      11. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/eyelids
      12. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/faq-20057898
      13. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4529263/
      14. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-much-water-should-you-drink
      15. ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/get-radiant-hair-skin-and-nails-naturally
      16. ↑ https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-eye-conditions/eye-conditions/eyelid-hygiene-why-is-it-important/
      17. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/dry-eyelids
      18. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39433617/
      19. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6715121/
      20. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/eyelids

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