Nothing says you’re so not in your 20s as loudly as wrinkles under the eyes. Wrinkles form as part of the aging process. As we age, the skin loses its elasticity. The levels of collagen in the skin begin to deteriorate leading to their formation. The creases under the eyes can also form due to the frequent use of facial expressions. This leads to the wrinkled appearance around the eye, and under the eye.
In the era of the image is everything, a lot of people find an issue with the formation of wrinkles around the eyes. Well, no fret, the beauty world has the solution to the creases. But first, let’s understand what causes eye wrinkles.
Causes and early development
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Wrinkles can occur due to worry, stress or inadequate sleep. Medical science has revealed that worry, anger, and stress can accelerate the aging process. Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress or low glucose concentration in the bloodstream. Whereas cortisol is essential for body functioning, increased levels of it due to stress can lead to the formation of wrinkles at an early age.
Early development is a key signifier of stress or inadequate sleep. Stress triggers the body to release cortisol along with many other hormones that wreak havoc on your immunity. Similarly, the long-term effects of lack of sleep include the early formation of wrinkles and discoloration of the skin. When we get at least 8 hours of sleep, the skin gets time to rejuvenate. However, when we forgo the much-needed sleep, as most of us do, we deprive the brain and the skin the time to rejuvenate. According to the Cornwell University sleep expert, Rebecca S. Robbins, M.D., Ph.D. “It is during the sleeping time that the body gets rid of toxins (about 60% of toxins), and works to remove dead cells, while at the same time replacing the old cells with new ones. Therefore, a lack of adequate sleep triggers a chain reaction where we lose the health of our skin.
Poor lifestyle choices can trigger their early development. For instance, smoking has been proven to lead to the early formation of wrinkles. The nicotine found in cigarettes along with other substances is harmful to the skin. The smoke inhaled leads to oxidative stress so that the body receives insufficient oxygen. As a consequence, the body experiences a narrowing of the blood vessels along with tissue ischemia due to the insufficient oxygen flow. Nicotine replacement is advisable for those struggling with smoking. This is important as nicotine accelerates skin aging.
Other not-so-healthy lifestyle habits can trigger premature skin aging, including their early development. Bad habits such as frequent use of make-up wipes to clear your face, a poor diet, and the use of dirty makeup brushes can do more harm than good to your face. Having a diet high in sugar degrades the collagen and elastin in your skin. These proteins play an important role in keeping the skin healthy and supple. Also, make-up wipes can lead to eye wrinkles due to the repetitive stretching of the skin near your eyes as you wipe your face.
Lastly, there are environmental factors that can trigger their formation. Factors such as the exposure to air pollutants, harsh weather, and UV exposure can make the skin lose its luster. The lack of frequent use of sunscreen can accelerate wrinkle formation.
Wrinkles on the eyelid and under the eyes can form due to facial expressions. The frequent use of facial expressions, especially those involving the creasing of skin, causes grooves to form underneath the skin. Controlling these expressions can help minimize the development of wrinkles.
Although they are a natural part of the aging process, factors such as UV exposure, stress, a poor diet plan, and smoking can accelerate the skin aging process. Such factors can make a 40-year old look like they are in their 70’s (Yikes!!).
Undereye wrinkle treatment
The laser treatment is one of the best eye wrinkle treatment. This procedure involves the use of laser technology to increase collagen and elastin in the skin. The collagen protein in the skin sustains the integrity of the skin, thereby keeping it crease-free and strong. Elastin, on the other hand, helps with skin elasticity. This protein helps the skin resume its original state after stretching. Rather than go for a surgical procedure such as face-uplift, you can opt for a laser treatment. This non-surgical procedure has less recovery time, minimal side-effects, and provides dynamic results.
Botox can be used to temporarily deal with the problem. Botox injections temporarily paralyses the muscles around the eye area thereby reducing the fine lines appearing under the eyes, and the wrinkles around the eyes (periorbital wrinkles). Botox is ideal for superficial wrinkles or those that are not deeply entrenched on the skin. The side effects of this treatment include drooping eyelids or eyebrows for a few months after which you’ll go back to your normal self.
You can go for a filler as a treatment option. Fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, or Belotero can be used independently or together with botox injections to treat the wrinkles underneath the eyes. These fillers occupy the space left underneath the skin by the muscles around the creased area. The space is filled with hyaluronic gel. This gel attracts and retains moisture thereby filling out the sagging or wrinkled area. In the end, you will have a smoother, natural-looking skin.
Microdermabrasion is a preferred alternative for those of us who squirm at the thought of an invasive procedure. This procedure involves the removal of dead skin cells that make the skin look older. What remains is a youthful skin with less defined wrinkles. Microdermabrasion utilizes particle-size crystals that exfoliate the skin. On the downside, this procedure can only work for people with mild to moderate ones.
Lastly, you can opt for chemical peels. Here, a certified dermatologist will use chemical solutions that contain alpha hydroxy acid, trichloroacetic acid, or glycolic acid to deeply exfoliate the skin. This procedure will help minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Sadly, this procedure makes the skin more susceptible to sunburn. Also, it is ideal for light-coloured women.
Under Eye Cream
The best creams for fighting wrinkles includes those with ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids. Although there are many brands in the market that claim to restore the skin’s health, you can find some inexpensive brands containing these key ingredients. Some of the best under-eye wrinkle creams on the market include:
- Clinique Pep-start eye cream
- Tretinoin (over-the-counter topical cream)
- Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
- Revision D.E.J Eye Cream
- Dermatological total Eye Care
Home Remedies and preventive measures
The best way to deal with wrinkles is to prevent them in the first place. This will involve adopting an anti-aging skin care regiment. Similarly, adopt a healthy lifestyle and strive to kick-off the wrinkle promoting habits such as smoking, reduced sleep time, and stress.
There are things you can do at home to reduce their occurrence. For instance, you can massage a bit of coconut or olive oil on the wrinkles under the eyes. Remember that the skin around the eye area is gentle, therefore, use as little force as you can and gently massage that eye area with a dab of olive oil or coconut oil. Other natural ingredients that you can try out include;
- Argan oil
- Almond oil
- Shea Butter
- Aloe Vera
- Castor oil
- Rose Oil
According to the AAD, the degree of wrinkle development on your skin depends on your skin type, exposure to the sun, tanning equipment used, and genetics. People who have fair skin and spend a lot of time in the sun have a greater risk of developing wrinkles. Also, research indicates that UV exposure from indoor tanning devices can trigger premature aging of the skin. It is advisable to include regular use of a sunscreen with a broad SPF, along with an anti-aging moisturizer to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles.
If you have the habit of squinting in the sun, you can consider buying a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes when you go outside.
Lastly, consult a trained medical professional/dermatologist before undertaking the treatment approaches mentioned. Do not attempt to go for a laser treatment at a salon or spa.
References:
- http://www.aboutlasertreatments.com/your-skin-condition/wrinkles/
- https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/the-surprising-benefits-of-botox
- https://www.zwivel.com/blog/the-best-under-eye-wrinkles-treatments/
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/302434-botox-for-under-eye-wrinkles/
- http://www.thebaltimorecenter.com/blog/4-best-cosmetic-treatments-for-wrinkles-under-your-eyes/
- https://trophyskin.com/blogs/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-wrinkles-under-your-eyes-fast-amp-easy
- http://www.thefashionspot.com/beauty/347897-best-eye-creams/#/slide/2