This is especially true for the skin around your eyes, which is thinner and more fragile than the rest of the face. It’s also more susceptible to laxity and volume loss, along with the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
The tissues and the muscles supporting the skin also grow weaker with age, leading to dark circles and bags under the eyes, droopy eyelids, and puffiness. Moreover, UV damage, repetitive facial expressions and the way you sleep contribute to the further weakening of the skin around the eyes.
Continue reading to learn more about your options in reversing or slowing down ageing eyes.
Droopy Eyes or Brows
Apart from impeding vision, droopy eyelids can also make you look tired and older. The common causes are loss of elasticity, loss of volume on the temples (around the side head behind the eyes) and sometimes repetitive cringing of the eyes.
This can be caused by loss of skin’s elasticity as well as weakening of the eyelid muscles. This can start with the subtle drooping and then become more noticeable or prominent over time.
If you’re bothered with droopy eyes or brows, it is good to know that surgery is not your only option. There are safe non-surgical alternatives that are safe and effective which also require minimal to zero downtime.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy is a US FDA-approved non-invasive skin tightening treatment that uses time-tested focused ultrasound energy to lift and tighten the skin around the eyes and other areas of concern.
It works by delivering ultrasound energy to the tissue beneath the skin’s surface to stimulate new collagen production. This then offers a lifting and tightening effect to your sagging or droopy brows.
Ultherapy is safe and effective as it uses the body’s regenerative response to improve the appearance of droopy eyelids and slowly lift the skin on the brows without any cuts or incisions. This means there is no recovery time needed as the energy is delivered directly to the deep layers without disruption in the skin.
Dark Circles Under the Eyes
Dark circles under the eyes can make you look exhausted and tired. Unfortunately, it can also be accompanied by puffiness or bags under the eyes, making you appear older than you really are.
We can develop dark circles because of ageing by loss of volume. As we age, we lose collagen which causes the skin around the eyes to weaken forming a “tear trough” or lengthening of the lid-cheek.
However, for some people darkening of the under eyes are caused by pigmentation due to poor skincare, genetics or allergies.
Unfortunately, it will take more than adequate sleep and concealers to brighten up your dark circles and reduce eye puffiness. You can turn to eye fillers and effective skin lightening products to brighten up your under-eye area.
Eye Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectable gels that are commonly used to smooth out the skin by filling out lines and wrinkles, but they can also work well in reducing the appearance of dark circles and bags under the eyes without surgery. It is safe, effective, and you can see the improvement after the procedure.
Fillers work by restoring volume in the tear trough or under-eye area giving you a more rested and youthful appearance. Depending on the structure of your eyes, improvements can be seen instantly after the treatment but it takes at least 2 weeks to see the full results.
Fillers are very technique-dependent and the result will depend on the skills, experience and ‘artistry’ of the injector. Another reason to make sure to consult an experienced aesthetic doctor with years of experience is to learn more about your options.
Prescription Skin Lightening Creams
Obagi is a professional skincare line that provides quality products that can lighten the skin and treat dark spots and pigmentation. It has topical treatments using prescription-strength 4% hydroquinone, a well-known and safe skin-lightening ingredient that you can safely use at home.
Keep in mind that the product can only be used with a prescription from an aesthetic doctor. This also requires consistent supervision and follow-up to ensure that your skin is reacting well to the product.
Wrinkles
Fine lines around the eyes can turn into more noticeable wrinkles over time. Repeated facial expressions such as smiling or squinting can contribute to the formation of wrinkles as seen in the corners of the eyes or in between the eyebrows.
Botox and Exilis Ultra are two effective aesthetic procedures that treat of decreases lines and wrinkles around your eyes.
Botox
Botulinum toxin, commonly known as the brand BOTOX, is a US FDA-cleared injectable that can improve the appearance of wrinkles formed by facial expressions. It can treat droopy eyelids, wrinkles in the corner of the eyes, as well as forehead lines, and frown lines in between the brows.
In general, it works by temporarily blocking the signal from the nerve to a muscle to relax and soften lines formed due to muscle contractions. When treating droopy brows, it involves injecting the Botox along the muscles that are responsible for pulling down the eyelids. It then relaxes those muscles to reduce the severity of the droop.
When considering Botox injections, be sure to consult an experienced and ‘conservative’ aesthetic doctor in Singapore. This will give you the reassurance that the result will look natural and not ‘overly done allowing you to achieve a well-rested appearance while maintaining your facial mobility.
Generally, Botox is a safe and proven injectable treatment in getting rid of lines and wrinkles are caused by facial expressions like smiling, squinting, or frowning.
It temporarily relaxes the muscles responsible for the formation of wrinkles around the corner of the eyes and in between the brows as well as the forehead.
Rest assured that the frozen look can be safely avoided if the procedure is done by an experienced physician. When injected with the right dosage and in the right area, the result of a Botox procedure is very natural giving you a youthful and refreshed look.
Article by Dr Sylvia Ramirez from Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, an award-winning medical aesthetic clinic in Singapore.
Established out of the passion to deliver quality aesthetic services, it is our goal to make a difference in people’s lives and help them feel confident about themselves.
9 Scotts Road Pacific Plaza, Scotts Medical Center #08-07, Singapore 228210
