In a survey that was conducted earlier this year by Transform where over 2,000 respondents were polled, an overwhelming number of interviewees decided that the eyes were the standout feature of both genders. It’s understandable – then – that we want to keep this focal area of our faces looking as attractive as possible. However, the eyes are often the first feature to give way to the signs of ageing.
The skin around the eye area is some of the most delicate on the body, and thus it is less resilient not only to lifestyle circumstances like sun damage but also to the constant strain we put on the muscles that surround the eye area. As we age, and from as early as our mid-twenties, the collagen reserves in the skin and tissues begin to deplete, making skin lose its natural resilience and elasticity. Over time, this lessening resistance is what causes lines and wrinkles to form, as well as causing the skin to sag.
Because of the sensitivity of the skin around the eyes and the fact that they are so focal to the face and appearance, any loose skin or ‘bags’ can be quite ageing on the face. Rejuvenation of the eye area can effectively make the patient look younger, more alert and refreshed – a popular opinion, seemingly, as blepharoplasty (surgical eyelid rejuvenation) was the fifth most performed surgical procedure in 2014 (according to a WhatClinic.com survey), with its popularity soaring by 587% on the year before.
Surgical Eye Rejuvenation
If you are looking for a surgical intervention to provide total facial rejuvenation, or a little non-surgical pick-me-up to ward off the first signs of ageing, there is an eye rejuvenation treatment that is perfect for you and its called ‘Blepharoplasty’.
You can elect to undergo an upper or lower (or combined) blepharoplasty, depending on where your problem area is. Essentially, a blepharoplasty will remove the excess skin from the eye area and can also address ‘bags’ which are essentially protruding pockets of fat that cause a bulge under the eyes.
Upper eyelid surgery carried out alone can be performed either under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic depending on patient preference. If both upper and lower eyelid surgery is being considered then a general anaesthetic is advised. You should expect some bruising and swelling after treatment and time for the scars to mature.
Another option for eye rejuvenation is fat transfer. This is particularly effective if there has been hollowing out and loss of volume with age. In this particular situation, fat is transferred to hollow areas under the eyes and can also be injected into upper eyelids. This technique is relatively recent and comes from developments in the understanding of facial ageing which recognises volume loss as a significant contributing factor to the visible effects of ageing.
Non-surgical Eye Rejuvenation
Non-surgical anti-ageing around the eye area can be administered as dermal fillers, Botox or a combination of the two. Fractional laser treatment or chemical peels are also an option for tightening the skin for the early appearance of lines and wrinkles. Which treatment is right for you will depend upon your individual circumstances and expectations.
In a nutshell, dermal fillers provide volume to the face and can fill in deep lines and wrinkles, whilst Botox ‘freezes’ muscles to prevent them from overworking and putting a strain on the skin by causing deep lines and wrinkles. Often Botox and fillers can be used in tandem. Botox is best used for the frown lines and crow’s feet lines at the corners of the eyes. Fillers are used for lines and hollowness under the eyes. Occasionally for very deep frown lines, Botox may not be completely effective since the lines are very deeply ingrained. In this situation, fillers may be used in addition to Botox.
Chemical peels around the eyes
Alternatively, for certain situation, you could elect to have a chemical peel. Chemical peels come in varying strengths and grades, and each will perform different functions on your skin. However, the general premise is that the peels remove the top layer of the skin (the epidermis) by ‘burning’ it off in a controlled manner, exposing the fresh skin underneath and thus providing facial rejuvenation.
At the more modest end of the scale, peels are performed simply to improve the complexion and make the skin glow, but mid and deep level peels have been known to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the skin. These are not usually targeted specifically to the eyes, but the eye area certainly can benefit from a peel, and it can leave the subject looking generally younger and refreshed.
Fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment around the eyes
This form of laser treatment is effective for tightening the skin in mild cases of skin laxity. The laser works by carefully producing a thermal injury to the deeper layers of the skin. This, in turn, has a tightening effect on the skin but also induces the production of new collagen. Since tiny areas of skin are left untreated these act as areas of regeneration to aid healing. This means that the recovery time is relatively short compared to non-fractional laser treatments.
Additional Information
If you are interested in eye rejuvenation treatments, either surgically or non-surgically, you should book a consultation with Mr Chana to discuss your options. Even if, after reading this post and some more around the subject, you feel you have an idea of the treatment you would be most suited to, you should keep an open mind during your consultation to allow you to fully explore your treatment options.
Some people are not suitable candidates for surgery, and some people do not like the idea of surgery and don’t feel it is a viable option for them. For others, their pre-existing signs of ageing may not be significant enough to pursue surgery, and a non-surgical option would be totally effective. In short, it is difficult to predict what sort of procedure you are an eligible candidate for before you have learned extensively about each of them.