The skin around the eyes is the thinnest and most delicate skin on the body. It is also an area where the skin experiences quite a bit of stress through movement. Facial expressions such as smiling or frowning generally involve the eyes and the repeated movement means that the skin is rarely at rest.
Skin in the eye area lacks the volume and internal structure that you find on other areas of the body or face and this makes it all the more susceptible to aesthetic problems such as the effects of ageing, dehydration, sun exposure and smoking.
Signs of ageing around the eyes
Here are some of the most common signs of ageing around the eyes:
- Dryness: The skin around the eyes is more prone to dryness than other parts of the face. This is because it has fewer oil glands. Dryness can make the skin look older and more wrinkled.
- Wrinkles: As we age, the production of collagen and elastin decreases, which can lead to the development of wrinkles. These are most commonly found around the eyes and could be referred to as ‘crow’s feet’ or ‘laughter lines’.
- Fine lines: The eyes are often the first area to develop tiny lines. You may initially only notice them with certain facial expressions, but they become bigger and disappear less until they form into what we’d term as wrinkles
- Loss of volume: As we age, the skin around the eyes loses volume, which can make the eyes look sunken and tired. See information about eyelids and eyebags
- Dark circles: Dark circles are caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, lack of sleep, and dehydration. They can make the eyes look tired and older. See eyebags.
- Puffiness: Puffiness is caused by fluid retention under the eyes. It can be caused by allergies, dehydration, or genetics.
What can I do?
There are a number of things you can do to improve the skin texture and help prevent or reduce the signs of ageing around the eyes, including:
- Wear sunscreen: Sun exposure is a major cause of premature skin aging. Be sure to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days.
- Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids helps to keep the skin hydrated and plump. Aim to drink 8 glasses of water per day.
- Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help to keep your skin looking its best.
- Use an eye cream: An eye cream can help to hydrate the skin around the eyes and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Treatments to Consider for Eye Rejuvenation:
The latest medical aesthetic treatments can help enormously to improve the appearance the eyes without surgery.
Treatments to improve skin quality in this area include:
- Exfoliating with microdermabrasion – this advanced facial can help to remove dead skin cells and reveal a more youthful-looking complexion. It is important to choose a properly trained practitioner who understands how to approach the eye area.
- Plenhyage XL or Belotero Revive – the latest injections for skin quality boost hydration, adding natural volume for a fresher look. It is a very natural looking treatment yet highly effective in improving the skin texture in this difficult area
- Tixel® thermal fractional rejuvenation uses heat to stimulate skin renewal and tightening
- Resurfx laser skin resurfacing – a high tech treatment which uses light energy to resurface the skin from the outside while boosting the skin’s renewal processes from the inside.
In addition, traditional injectable treatments such as dermal fillers and BOTOX® are a popular route for rejuvenating the eye area.
- BOTOX® wrinkle relaxing injections can significantly improve crow’s feet and laughter lines. They can also be used for an injectable eyebrow lift to smooth out the eye area, making the eyes appear brighter and more alert
- Dermal Fillers can be used to replenish volume and smooth out skin, improving eye bags, dark circles and ‘tear troughs’. They can also be used to provide a ‘lift’ that opens up the eye area
