Wrinkles around the eyes are often the first sign that our skin is transitioning through the stages of life. These delicate changes, which can include everything from fine lines to deeper creases, not only tell the story of years of smiling and expression, but can also be influenced by various environmental and lifestyle factors. This blog sets out to explore the causes behind eye wrinkles and how non-surgical treatment options can help you to embrace a rejuvenated appearance.
What causes eye wrinkles?
As the skin around the eyes is some of the thinnest on our body, it is especially vulnerable to damage and ageing. Several factors contribute to the development of eye wrinkles, including:
- Ageing: as we age, our skin loses proteins (collagen and elastin) which are responsible for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. This loss makes the skin less resilient to movement, leading to permanent lines forming.
- Sun exposure: ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin.
- High Energy Visible light (blue light): blue light rays from the sun and technology can also contribute to skin ageing.
- Facial expressions: frequent movements such as squinting, smiling, and frowning can cause permanent expression lines in the skin.
- Lifestyle factors: Stress, smoking, pollution, and inadequate sleep may contribute to the development of wrinkles by increasing inflammation and reducing collagen in the skin.
- Genetics: your genetic makeup can influence how your skin ages and how wrinkles form.
Different types of eye wrinkles
Eye wrinkles can present in various different ways, often depending on the cause. At Health & Aesthetics, some of the common types of wrinkles we see are under eye wrinkles, wrinkles extending from the outer corners of the eyes (crows feet), and horizontal lines above the eyes (‘frown’ or ‘eleven’ lines).
Prior to treatment, we go through a full medical consultation with you so that we have an in-depth understanding of the types of wrinkles you have. This helps us to develop a treatment plan which is going to be most effective for your needs.
How to treat eye wrinkles
Skincare products
Depending on the type and severity of your eye wrinkles, some skincare products may be able to help improve the appearance of your wrinkles. Our medical-grade skincare range, ZO Skin Health by Dr Zein Obagi has a variety of eye products such as the Eye Brightening Creme, Intense Eye Creme, and Growth Factor Eye Serum which we may recommend as part of your treatment plan.
When used as part of a full skincare routine, these products can help to improve the skin texture around the eyes, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
But there’s also a wide range of non-surgical treatments which can improve eye wrinkles:
Polynucleotides
Polynucleotides are chains of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA. When injected into the skin, these chains stimulate skin cells to repair and regenerate, helping to develop healthier skin tissues which function more effectively. For instance, polynucleotides can:
- stimulate increased collagen and elastin production to make the skin appear firmer and plumper
- reduce inflammation
- provide an anti-free radical action to counteract damage from factors like the sun and stress.
Polynucleotides are seen as a regenerative treatment because they encourage the body’s
natural skin mechanisms to work more effectively. They can be an effective treatment for eye wrinkles, helping to improve the overall skin health of this area and provide a rejuvenated, fresher look.
Anti-wrinkle injections
When muscles in the face move as part of facial expressions and other factors, they pull on the surrounding skin. This can cause fine lines and wrinkles to form, especially around the eye area, where this region is susceptible to a lot of facial movement.
Anti-wrinkle injections involve injecting very small amounts of toxin into targeted facial muscles to temporarily ‘relax’ or immobilise the muscle. This prevents the muscle from pulling on the nearby skin, helping to provide a smoother and more youthful look.
Our highly skilled doctors take great caution when placing injections into the face, and also use ultra-fine needles for precise application. This ensures your results will look as natural as possible and blend seamlessly into your authentic features.
Alma Hybrid laser
Alma Hybrid laser is a cutting-edge laser resurfacing treatment that offers a dramatic skin rejuvenation. It uses a combination of complementary laser energies to rejuvenate the skin at the deepest level, helping to diminish stubborn wrinkles, lines, and skin damage.
Sofwave
Sofwave is an FDA-approved treatment that aims to remodel collagen proteins in the skin. Collagen is an essential skin protein that helps give the skin its structure, strength, and laxity.
Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam SUPERB™ technology passes through the surface of the skin to heat the mid-dermis tissues and rejuvenate collagen fibres. Over time, this helps to improve the appearance of eye wrinkles and lines. This innovative procedure only takes 30 to 40 minutes too, meaning it can easily fit into busy daily routines.
Exosome Treatment
Exosome therapy offers a non-invasive way to reduce wrinkles around the eyes. This treatment works by introducing growth factors directly to skin cells, promoting the natural production of collagen and elastin. Increased elasticity and firmness help to smooth the delicate skin around the eyes, giving it a youthful and refreshed appearance.
What’s the best way to treat eye wrinkles?
The most effective treatment option for eye wrinkles ultimately depends on your needs and unique skin type. At Health & Aesthetics, we recognise that everyone is different and so we undertake an extensive medical consultation with each individual. During this, we can help explore a wide range of options to combat your eye wrinkles.
For more information on our various treatments and to get started on rejuvenating your skin, schedule a consultation with our expert team today.