They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but as we age, those windows can start to show signs of wear and tear.
The delicate skin around our eyes is particularly prone to the effects of ageing, including wrinkles, fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. In fact, it is proven that the skin around the eyes is ten times thinner than the dermis in other areas of the face.
However, with the proper care and attention, you can make your eyes look younger and more vibrant. Here, we’ll explore effective strategies and tips to help you achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
Top Tips to make your eyes look younger
Whether you are concerned with hooding of the upper eyelids, dark circles, puffy eye bags, deepening grooves under the eyes or crow’s feet, here is our guide to achieve a more youthful gaze.
Apply eye cream
Eye creams are specially formulated to address the unique needs of the delicate skin around the eyes. Look for products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, peptides, and vitamin K. These ingredients can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and dark circles.
When applying eye cream, use your ring finger (as it exerts less pressure) and gently pat the product onto the skin around your eyes. Avoid rubbing or tugging, as the skin in this area is very delicate.
Eat well
Incorporate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially those high in antioxidants like vitamins C and E. These nutrients help protect your skin from free radical damage and promote collagen production, keeping the skin around your eyes firm and supple.
Staying well-hydrated is also essential for maintaining skin elasticity and minimising dark circles and puffiness. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your skin plump and radiant.
Invest in a good concealer
For those days when your eyes need a quick pick-me-up, concealer can be your best friend. Choose a concealer that matches your skin tone and has a creamy texture. Apply it sparingly to cover dark circles and imperfections, and blend it gently using your ring finger or a make-up sponge. Be careful not to apply too much, as excessive concealer can settle into fine lines and make them more noticeable.
Make-up can work wonders to make your eyes look younger when applied correctly. Use a soft, smudged eyeliner instead of harsh, precise lines. This will create a softer, more youthful look. Avoid heavy, dark eyeshadow that can make your eyes appear smaller. Soft, shimmery shades can brighten your eyes and create a youthful appearance.
And, don’t forget your brows! Well-groomed eyebrows frame your eyes beautifully. Fill in sparse areas with a brow pencil or powder for a youthful look.
Protect your eyes from sun damage
Sun exposure is a leading cause of premature ageing, including developing wrinkles and fine lines. Always wear sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors, and consider using an eye cream that contains SPF to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays.
Get enough sleep
Ensure you get adequate restful sleep, ideally around seven to nine hours per night. When you do not get enough restful sleep, it results in vasodilatation and increased blood flow. As the blood vessels under the eyes dilate, the undereye looks darker. Lack of sleep also causes the skin to become dehydrated, meaning the blood vessels beneath the skin become more noticeable.
Also, minimise screentime, particularly late at night. Our iPhone addictions are causing many issues, including dry and itchy eyes, digital eye strain, headaches and blurry vision, but it can also lead to dark circles and puffiness. Recent studies have linked the blue light emitted from our devices to increased skin ageing.
How to make your eyes look younger with cosmetic procedures
Depending on your unique concern, several aesthetic procedures can reverse signs of ageing around the eyes. Probably the most well-known is Muscle Relaxing Injectables to treat crow’s feet. Lines in the upper third of the face are known as dynamic wrinkles because the constant contraction and relaxation of the facial muscles around the eyes and across the brow causes them. This injectable treatment works by temporarily freezing the nerves that signal these muscles to perform, smoothing the overlying skin.
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
The blepharoplasty or eyelid lift is the surgical solution to many ageing concerns relating to the eye area. The upper and lower lid blepharoplasty can either be performed as a standalone procedure or in combination.
The upper eyelid lift focuses and addresses sagging skin that obscures the natural, youthful crease of the eye and wrinkles on the upper lid. Making a fine incision in the fold of the eye, Mr Alex Karidis will remove any excess skin to create a smoother, more youthful contour to the upper eyelid.
The lower blepharoplasty addresses protruding fat deposits and sagging skin under the eye. An incision is either made just below the lash line or through the back of the lid in a procedure known as a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. The supporting tissues are strengthened, and any excess skin and fat are removed to create a smoother lower lid. Dark circles caused by shadowing due to excess fat in the eyelids can also be improved. If you have already had a previous blepharoplasty procedure that left with you unsatisfactory results, Mr Alex Karidis also offers revision blepharoplasty to correct any problems and achieve the best possible results.
Tear trough filler
Another cause of dark circles is the deepening groove from the corner of the nose to the cheek, known as the tear trough. This is the junction between the lower lid and the upper cheek, and as volume loss in the mid-face occurs, this groove can become more marked.
The tear trough is a common ageing concern, although younger men and women can be genetically predisposed to a visible tear trough. Patients often feel that it makes them look more tired and older than they are.
Tear trough fillers are temporary hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that are used to smooth the facial contouring at the lid-cheek junction.
Microneedling
The eyes are often challenging to treat as the skin is thin and delicate. Microneedling or collagen induction therapy is a safe and effective eye rejuvenation treatment. It can tackle many of the typical ageing concerns caused by loss of collagen and elasticity in the skin.
The microneedling device has tiny surgical-grade needles in the tip, creating microscopic wounds in the epidermis. The body’s natural healing response is to generate new collagen and elastin, and this, in turn, firms up the skin, reduces fine lines and minimises the appearance of dark circles. It is possible to customise this treatment for the sensitive eye area by applying the device at a shallower depth than other face areas.
Achieving a youthful appearance around your eyes can just take a combination of adopting a healthy lifestyle, practising proper skincare, and mastering make-up techniques. By following these tips and being consistent in your efforts, you can make your eyes look younger and maintain a vibrant, refreshed gaze that reflects your vitality.
However, if ageing changes around the eyes bother you, it might be time to investigate surgical and non-surgical procedures to rejuvenate the eye area.
