Crow’s Feet, Dark Circles and Everything about Eyes

When it comes to refreshing looking eyes, genetics play a large part in how young our eyes look. Keeping out the sun and wearing eyeshades is an important factor too. How much you are going to be at risk of dark circles can be prevalent from a young age.

My two daughters have inherited very different genetics in the eye department. The youngest is already displaying signs of hollow dark circles under the eyes; without any doubt inherited from her mother. Whereas, I have never had any issues with dark circles and always had a bright young glow with smooth consistent-coloured skin in the delicate eye area.

The skin around the eyes is 40% thinner than the skin on the rest of your face, which makes it more susceptible to environmental damage. This is on top of any genetical factors and other ageing factors, such as how much sun exposure you are getting and whether you reside in a tropical climate. 

The eye area is extremely delicate and treatments must always be carried out by a trained professional. The training they will have received in administering treatment in that area will be for the safety of their patients, as well as ensuring the avoidance of any irritation of the eyes. The eyelids have a significant role to play in protecting the eyes and their function must never be compromised.

Even topical products that you apply to the delicate eye area should be carefully researched, as you may cause inflammation and sensitivity that can lead to more aging. This brings us to question whether topical products containing hyaluronic acid are equal to injectable fillers or not.

Crow’s Feet

Despite knowing that sun is the pivotal factor for crow’s feet, many of us are still to lazy to protect the area on the sides of the eyes. Simple sun factor and sunglasses can block harmful UV rays which damage collagen, leading to crow’s feet wrinkles.

Even then, with no sun visible to the eye, UV rays can still be prevalent, so wearing sunblock on a cloudy day is essential if you agree that prevention is better than cure. Contrary to how much we adore the warm hugs of the sun, it is still the root cause for all our sagging and wrinkling skin. Don’t forget sun hats with a wide brim also offer excellent protection outdoors and there is no effort required!

- Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a key ingredient to help minimize free radicals and free radical damage. Paired with hydration through dermal fillers that provide constant hyaluronic acid, you can be sure you are giving your skin the best during the 40s and beyond. Applying Vitamin C eye serum to the outside of your eyes can feel pampering whilst being extremely beneficial.

- Retinoids

Using Retinoids or retinol (Vitamin A derivatives) at night has been proven to stimulate collagen production when used regularly. They can firm and smooth the skin around the eyes. Start using in your late thirties to adopt a good habit for later years. Avoid application not he eyelids, especially the lower lids, as it can cause burning or irritation on the thin skin. Using a gentle formula should always be considered.

- Botox

There are always the bigger issues that could be the ultimate cause for crow’s feet. Take for example, muscle activity or volume loss. Neurotoxins such as Botox, in this case, are always the proven solution. They act by relaxing the constant muscle contractions that cause furrows around the eyes and they produce natural-looking results for three to four months.

- Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers for Crow’s nests, such as Belotero Soft Lidocaine or Juvederm Volbella are also soft enough to use in the delicate eye area where crow’s nests prevail. Getting a professional doctor to inject small amounts of hyaluronic acid filler into the dermis of the skin can help diminish lines for up to twelve months.

Puffiness

What cause puffiness? Some of us are more prone to this than others and some of us, have never experienced it all, right?

Fluid retention from staying up late at night, drinking too much alcohol, too much salty food and seasonal allergies such as hayfever, are all variable that contribute to puffiness. Paired with aging and increased lack of elasticity, fats that were once at a deeper level, may now start to surface more closer to the upper levels of the dermis, resulting in eye bags.

Topical products cannot help eye bags, because changes are caused by underlying structures of the face. However, massage using facial rollers have been quite effective in ironing out bags and decongesting puffy eyes temporarily.

Caffeine based products are also known to work because caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, which means it shrinks the blood vessels under the skin, temporarily reducing puffiness around the eyes.

Cooling eye gel patches and masks also work in a similar way to caffeine for short term benefits.

Get more sleep!

Yes, without doubt, this is the most sensible solution to fixing puffiness. Eight hours will do nicely.

… And sleep on your back, to prevent any pressure building up on the already present puffiness of the eyes. It doesn’t help to sleep with your face pressed against the pillow (if you have eye bags). You may be able to source a medical pressure release pillow, if sleeping on your back is a challenge!

For hayfever, go out and pick up some antihistamines to ease all that pollen induced puffiness.

Mild under-eye bags can be treated with non-surgical treatments, such as hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to camouflage the appearance.

Dermal fillers such as Juvederm Volbella, with its lightweight consistency are an excellent way to reverse the signs of eye puffiness. Fillers such as Juvederm Voluma are too thick for using around the eye area and are more suited for improving cheek volume instead. Similarly, Sculptra should never be used under the eyes.

Dark circles

Shadowy dullness under the eyes can appear for a number of reasons:

• Chronic rubbing
• Prominent blood vessels visible underneath the skin
• Genetics
• Hormone-induced darkening
• Pigment (melanin) buildup
• Loss of volume between the lower eyelid and the cheek

Skin-brightening ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, kojic acid, licorice extract, or niacinamide, are all helpful for skin dis-coloration.

Cream-based eye concealers are a popular solution which can make a difference to create natural looking results to boost one’s confidence.

Getting a medically trained professional to inject hyaluronic acid such as Belotero Balance Lidocaine for tear troughs can help to brighten the area by adding volume and reducing the shadowing effect. There’s relatively little downtime, and results typically last one to two years.

Droopy Eyebrows and Eyelids

Having uplifted eyebrows is something we all take for granted when we’re younger. Both eyebrows and eyelids can appear less droopy with neurotoxins. A combination of Botox and hyaluronic acid work by allowing the brow depressor muscles to relax. Non-surgical treatments like these give excellent results comparable to a surgical brow lift.

Deep-Set Eyes

Hollowness or tear troughs under the eye can be treated with a very cautious filling of small amounts of hyaluronic acid filler such by an expert medical professional trained in this field, to avoid any complications.

This can significantly rejuvenate the appearance of the eyes.