As we age, the amount of collagen and elastin our skin produces decreases, which is an unavoidable result of aging. This decrease, along with sun exposure and genetics, is one of the main causes of under-eye wrinkles that can make us look tired or older than we actually are.
However, all hope is not lost! There are reliable, safe, and effective ways today to improve the appearance of sagging or wrinkled skin under the eyes. Here are 5 of the best treatments that tighten the skin underneath eyes for a more youthful appearance.
Fillers
Hyaluronic acid-based fillers, such as Juvéderm, Restylane, and Belotero, are worth a shot if you need to plump up under-eye hollows, smooth fine lines, or camouflage darkness. Fillers are made with hyaluronic acid gel that is almost identical to the hyaluronic acid found naturally in the human body, and are formulated with different consistencies. Those with a thinner consistency are effective for treating fine lines, while others that are more firm can add significant volume to fill and lift hollows under the eyes.
The type of filler to use depends on the results the patient would like to see, and fillers can be customized for each patient to achieve the most natural-looking results.
Peels
Chemical peels can be quite effective for getting rid of superficial wrinkles by resurfacing your skin. The peels are designed to remove the top layer of skin under the eye to reveal a smoother, new layer of skin so that wrinkles are much less prominent.
Lasers
Much like chemical peels, laser resurfacing is commonly used for more minor under-eye wrinkles on the top layer of the skin. The laser beam breaks down the epidermis of the top layer of skin and stimulates new collagen to grow in the next layer.
Botox
Injectable treatments like Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin are most often used for crow’s lines around the corner of the eyes or to fill in deeper wrinkles between the eyebrows or on the forehead. Botox relaxes the muscles to smooth wrinkles beside and above the eyes rather than filling in under-eye wrinkles like fillers do. Oftentimes, using both botox and fillers is the ideal option to lift and smooth out the appearance of the entire eye area.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
If you have severe under-eye wrinkles, sagging skin, or heavy puffiness under your eyes, surgery might be the best way to go. Lower eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes excess fat and sagging skin in order to tighten and smooth the remaining skin under the eyes. The result is eyes that look significantly younger and brighter.
To best understand which treatment is best for you, consult with an eye doctor that specializes in cosmetic procedures. Oculoplastic surgeons are board certified ophthalmologists who have additional training in cosmetic surgery and are specially suited to care for eye issues like under-eye wrinkles and sagging skin.
At Baptist Eye Surgeons, Dr. Andrew Anzeljc is an Oculoplastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation procedures around the eyes. Dr. Anzeljc says, “More and more patients are interested in improving the appearance of aging, and we have many safe and effective ways to rejuvenate the face that do not involve surgery.” He adds, “Cosmetic procedures are becoming more commonplace for men as well as women, so if anyone is curious about botox or fillers or other possibilities to improve the appearance of undereye bags or heavy eyelids I encourage them to come in for a consultation.”
Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice dedicated to providing quality eye care to patients whose needs range from routine comprehensive eye examinations to the treatment of complex eye diseases. The team of doctors are proud to welcome Dr. Anzeljc to the practice in order to add functional and cosmetic eyelid and orbital procedures to the extensive services available to our patients.
To request an appointment or get directions to our Knoxville and Morristown locations, visit our website. Call us at 865-579-3920 for more information or visit us online to schedule an appointment.
