Hi my beauties!
In this week’s blog post I’m talking all about under eye rejuvenation. As a cosmetic dermatologist, I often receive requests from my patients for treatments to address this delicate area. Today, I'll be sharing the latest and greatest non-surgical options to help you achieve a youthful and refreshed look for your under eyes.
Why Under Eyes Show Age First
The skin under our eyes is unique and tends to show signs of aging earlier than other facial areas. The epidermis is thinner, and the tissue composition is different, making fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles, and bags more noticeable. As we age, the under eye skin loses collagen and elastin, contributing to various issues.
The Solution: Enhancing Skin's Regeneration
To achieve the best looking long-term results, it's important to enhance your skin's natural regenerative processes, particularly by promoting collagen and elastin production. While fillers have their place in aesthetics, they might not always be the best option. Instead, I like to focus on treatments that stimulate collagen and elastin production for a more natural and lasting outcome.
Lasers for Collagen and Elastin Synthesis
Lasers are highly effective in stimulating collagen and elastin production, keeping the under eye area firm and tight. Whether you opt for ablative or non-ablative lasers, both offer significant benefits. The key to success lies in finding a skilled laser specialist who can provide the desired results. Long-term use of lasers throughout your life can yield amazing results at any age.
Energy Devices for Skin Tightening
Energy-based devices like Softwave, Ultherapy, and Thermage use heat to stimulate fibroblasts and collagen production, resulting in tighter skin. Thermage, in particular, has a specialized handpiece for the eyelid, ensuring safe and effective treatment. Results become visible in 2-3 months and continue to improve for up to a year, with effects lasting up to 5 years. Regular use of energy devices can help maintain youthful-looking eyes.
Botox Precision
While Botox can be used in the general eye area, it is not recommended for directly under the eyes. It must be administered with great precision due to potential risks of changing the eye shape and other undesirable effects. Seek out an experienced injector with a thorough understanding of anatomy to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Tear Trough Filler Consideration
Tear trough filler can be effective in addressing volume loss and smoothing out under-eye topography. However, this is a high-risk injection area, so it's crucial to choose an expert injector. Consider starting with laser and energy device treatments before opting for tear trough filler to get the best, most long lasting results.
Dealing with Discoloration and Dark Circles
Dark circles often result from thin skin, which allows underlying vasculature to be visible. Using devices like VBeam can effectively address this concern with minimal downtime. For darkening caused by excess melanin, brightening agents or targeted lasers can help.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRF and PRP are natural treatments extracted from your blood to stimulate collagen production. While safer than fillers, they have a temporary effect and may not stay localized to the tear trough area. Considering this, filler might be a better choice for under eye volume rejuvenation.
Avoid Microneedling for Under Eye Area
I don't recommend microneedling for the under eye area as it can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, resulting in permanent discoloration. I’ve seen a lot of complications from microneedling, so it’s not a treatment I ever recommend to my patients. There are much better options for skin rejuvenation out there.
Threads for Collagen Stimulation
While I do like thread lifts, and perform them in my office I don’t always recommend them for under eye treatment. Thread lifts can stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis, but other treatments like lasers are generally more preferred for this area of concern. If not administered properly you can experience unwanted side effects, with little reward.
Surgical Options
For severe under-eye issues involving excess skin, lower lid blepharoplasty might be considered. However, this is a complex procedure, and I recommend consulting a qualified plastic surgeon.
Under eye rejuvenation requires a tailored approach, and different treatments suit different individuals. Focusing on collagen and elastin stimulation through lasers and energy devices can yield excellent results. Always choose experienced practitioners for any treatments to ensure safety and efficacy. Remember, you can achieve a youthful under eye appearance without resorting to surgery, but in some cases, it might be the most suitable option.
I hope you found this blog post helpful in understanding under eye rejuvenation options. Remember to consult a professional to determine the best treatment plan for your unique needs. See you next Sunday!
