How to Reduce Undereye Wrinkles
Like it or not, the eyes don’t lie, at least not when it comes to your age. And while crow’s feet can add character to a face, the instant those happy little lines move south, it’s a whole different story. Undereye wrinkles are all about aging, sun damage and thinning skin -- give them enough time, and those lines will undermine your efforts to maintain a youthful appearance. From creams and lasers to surgical intervention, reducing undereye wrinkles is all about deciding how far you want to go.
Instructions
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Rejuvenate your skin with a topical retinoid. Made from vitamin A, topical retinoids boost your body’s production of collagen and repair sun-damaged skin by increasing cell turnover. While proven effective in the treatment of undereye wrinkles, the University of Maryland Medical Center warns that topical retinoids can cause flaking, dryness and inflammation, so talk to your doctor to decide whether they are right for you.
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Uncover younger looking skin with microdermabrasion treatments. Using a diamond tipped wand to gently sand the dry, dull top surface layer of the skin, microdermabrasion can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and aging under the eyes. While considered safe and virtually painless, microdermabrasion can take several treatments to achieve desired results and may not be effective on deeper wrinkles.
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Paralyze undereye wrinkles with Botox. A neurotoxin that temporarily weakens muscles, Botox can temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the eye area. Injected just under your lash line, Botox requires little or no down time and the results last approximately 3 to 4 months. While considered generally safe when administered by a trained professional, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the potential health issues associated with Botox treatments before deciding if they are right for you.
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Zap undereye wrinkles with a non-ablative laser treatment. Using concentrated beams of light to boost collagen levels, a non-ablative laser treatment can firm and smooth skin, reducing the appearance of undereye wrinkles. While not as powerful as other types of lasers, non-ablative lasers are a good option for the sensitive eye area because they do not cause injury to the skin or underlying tissue.
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Reduce those under eye lines with a dermal filler. Injected directly into your undereye wrinkles, dermal fillers plump up the skin, making lines temporarily less noticeable. Many dermal fillers contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen and fat which your body will slowly absorb over time, necessitating additional treatments approximately every six months or as the effects wear away.
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Talk to a plastic surgeon about lower eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, to correct undereye wrinkles. During a blepharoplasty, a surgeon makes an incision inside the lower lash line, pulling the skin taut to tighten and firm the area under the eyes. While blepharoplasty is a relatively straightforward outpatient procedure, serious potential side-effects to discuss with your doctor include scarring, blurred vision and difficulty closing the eyes.
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Tips & Warnings
Use sunglasses and apply sunscreen on a daily basis to protect your eye area and guard against additional sun damage and premature aging.
The skin around your eyes is thinner than the skin on the rest of your face, making it a difficult area to treat. If you choose to seek professional help, make sure your doctor is properly certified and has sufficient training in your procedure of choice.
References
- Westside Aesthetics: Under Eye Wrinkles – Active FX and Botox
- University of Maryland: Skin Wrinkles and Blemishes: Treatment
- University Of Maryland: Skin Wrinkles and Blemishes
- Real Self: Wrinkle Treatment: Wrinkles Under Eyes
- Plastic Surgery: Blepharoplasty Surgery Steps
- Plastic Surgery: Eyelid Surgery Risks and Safety Information
- Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center: Cosmetic Procedures
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Skin Wrinkles and Blemishes – Implant Procedures
