The eyes have always been an important part of our appearance… they are, after all, the windows to the soul. In the last couple of years, they’ve become even more important since the eyes are the only part of our face not hidden by masks. As we age, though, it’s natural to become self-conscious about the appearance of our eyes, especially as fine lines and wrinkles set in.
There are many common aesthetic concerns with our eyes that seem to appear out of nowhere. This can include crow’s feet, saggy eyebrows, and fine lines. Many products are available from drug stores and department stores that claim to help; some costly serums too, with ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid. Risk is high with these possible solutions because most don’t produce the results we’re looking or paying for – even the most expensive creams. That’s why this blog is focused on eliminating fine lines and wrinkles.
Types of wrinkles and why they appear.
Throughout the years, we laugh and cry. We also squint while reading street signs from a distance, we spend time in the sun, and apply creams, moisturizers, or makeup. These are just a few of the reasons fine lines and wrinkles appear.
- STATIC WRINKLES: These wrinkles appear over time and remain visible all day and night, even when our facial muscles are at rest. Static wrinkles are often caused by sun exposure, poor nutrition, and smoking. In fact, the Mayo Clinic has released reports that show – next to ageing; smoking is the strongest predictor of wrinkles.
- DYNAMIC WRINKLES: Wrinkles that show up when your face moves are Dynamic, these include frown lines on your forehead, laugh lines around your mouth, and crows feet in the corners of your eyes. These form naturally over time, no matter how great your nutrition or skincare regimen is. Dynamic wrinkles often become static wrinkles over time.
Skin around the eyes is delicate, thinner than the rest of the face. This can make it a bit easier for wrinkles to appear and also make it more difficult to treat. Additionally, the Periorbital Hollow (the area directly under the eyeball) is packed with blood vessels which naturally lead to fine lines below the eyes.
Are there home remedies that work?
For decades, ageing men and women have tried various remedies from placing cucumbers on the eyes to making face masks from bananas, honey, or pomegranates. Unfortunately, a home remedy that works to eliminate wrinkles simply hasn’t been discovered yet. As for preventing wrinkles, the best home remedy is a broad-spectrum SPF sunblock.
There are cosmetic creams and anti-ageing serums that claim to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Fact is, though, if any of these products worked the miracles they claim, then we’d all be walking around looking 20 years younger. Currently, retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, argan oil, antioxidants, and vitamin C are touted as being the best ingredients to look for in a facial moisturizer. It’s true, they are good, but finding a cream you can trust to provide proper amounts of those ingredients is near impossible. Even the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises us to have realistic expectations when it comes to anti-ageing skincare products since they “tend to provide only modest results.”
What does work?
Aside from a surgical facelift (which we don’t recommend), there are two treatments that are proving to be very effective in eliminating fine lines and wrinkles. Regardless of the method you use, keep in mind that doctors and skincare professionals need to be very careful when working around the eye, so choosing your doctor requires the same care and research as choosing which method is best for you.
- ICON INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (Icon IPL) uses specialized pulses of optimized visible light to reduce sun damage and brown spots on the skin. This technique protects the surrounding skin as well. The wrinkles and spots absorb the energy, which causes them to slowly vanish thanks to your body’s natural ability to heal.
A treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes. It’s not painful; you’ll simply feel a gentle cooling as the instrument glides over the treatment area. Afterwards, your skin may feel like you’ve been out in the sun all day, but this mild sunburn-like sensation only lasts a few hours. Patients can usually resume their regular daily activities immediately.
- TEMPSURE ENVI smooths fine lines and wrinkles using radiofrequency energy. It stimulates your natural fibroblast cells, which will help tighten your skin and promote new collagen.
The TempSure Envi has been designed to specifically deliver radiofrequency energy to delicate areas around the eyes. Each treatment is 30-60 minutes long, and just like the Icon IPL, there’s no downtime required.
With the Icon IPL and the TempSure Envi, the number of sessions needed will vary from patient to patient. This is something you should discuss with your doctor during your consultation. Pazur EyeCare offers both treatments; after thoroughly investigating both, we learned they really are the best options for eliminating fine lines and wrinkles. Both options work differently and provide different results, allowing us to ensure you’re getting the best treatment for your skin. If you’re interested in booking a consultation to learn more about these options, please reach out anytime.
