Any type of heat to the eyelid will help (as long as you are careful to not burn or scald the lids) However, we find that hot water in the shower is not hot enough. Rice in a sock and a hot potato work, but require long prep time. We find that heating masks, which are commercially available to provide the correct amount of heat, and require less than 30 seconds in the microwave, so the prep time is minimal. We like the DERM mask from Eyeeco.