Bright Eyes, Timeless Beauty: Your Guide to Eye Rejuvenation
While the passage of time leaves its mark on us all, the delicate skin surrounding our eyes often displays the early signs of ageing far more readily than other areas of the face. This skin is, on average, an impressive 40% thinner, making it more susceptible to the effects of time and environmental stressors. Understanding these changes and the available solutions is the first step towards maintaining a refreshed and youthful appearance around your eyes.
Here, Ms Aoife Naughton explore five common signs of ageing in this critical area of the face and the effective treatments that can address them.
1. The Descent of Upper Eyelids:
As we age, the skin on our upper eyelids undergoes a transformation. It loses elasticity and thins, while the underlying support structures weaken, succumbing to the relentless pull of gravity. This can manifest as heavy, stretched skin that creates a hooded appearance, often obscuring the natural crease of the upper eyelid. In more pronounced cases, this excess skin can even impede vision, impacting daily life.
The Solution: Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty.
This surgical procedure is designed to restore a more youthful and open look to the eyes. Through a discreet incision along the natural crease of the upper eyelid, excess skin, muscle, and/or fat can be meticulously removed - effectively re-establishing a more open appearance of the eyes and restoring the natural upper eyelid platform. If volume loss or hollowness is also present, these tissues can be strategically repositioned for a more balanced result. The resulting scar typically heals remarkably well within the eyelid's natural fold, becoming virtually undetectable over time.
2. The Emergence of Undereye Bags:
Those persistent bags beneath the eyes are a frequent concern associated with ageing. They arise when the tissues that provide support to the eyelids begin to weaken. This weakening, coupled with the forward protrusion of the natural fat pads located beneath the eyes, leads to the characteristic puffiness and sagging.
The Solution: Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty.
This procedure focuses on tightening and repositioning the weakened supporting tissues and the protruding fat pads. Any excess skin and fat contributing to the bagginess are also carefully removed. The surgical incision can be strategically placed either just beneath the lower eyelash line or, in a minimally invasive approach known as the transconjunctival technique, through the inside of the lower eyelid, leaving no visible external scar.
3. The Drooping of the Brow:
The ageing process affects the entire upper face, and the descent of brow position is a common consequence of sagging facial tissues. This downward shift can contribute to the hooding effect on the upper eyelids. Individuals often express that a lowered brow makes them appear perpetually tired, worried, or even angry, regardless of their actual mood.
The Solution: Brow Lift.
This surgical procedure effectively reverses these signs of ageing by tightening the underlying tissues of the brow and forehead, thereby elevating the brow to a more youthful and natural position. This action opens up the eye area, creating a more refreshed and alert appearance. Various brow lift techniques exist, and a consultation with an experienced Oculoplastic surgeon is crucial to determine the optimal approach based on individual brow position, facial structure, hairline, and desired outcome. Often, a brow lift is performed in conjunction with an upper eyelid blepharoplasty to achieve comprehensive rejuvenation of the upper face.
4. The Formation of Tear Troughs:
The youthful face typically exhibits smooth and continuous contours. However, as we age, the mid-face can descend, leading to the development of tear troughs – those noticeable creases that appear between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek. This hollowing effect is primarily due to volume loss in the mid-face and can create the illusion of persistent tiredness. Factors like weight loss and stress can sometimes exacerbate the appearance of tear troughs.
The Solution: A lower blepharoplasty can indirectly improve the appearance of tear troughs by repositioning the fat tissue beneath the eye, effectively smoothing the transition between the undereye area and the upper cheek. For a non-surgical approach, temporary hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can also be strategically injected to fill in the crease and restore a smoother contour. Additionally, polynucleotides are bio-stimulants that can improve the skin quality of the lower eyelid, and reduce the appearance of dark circles that can compound tear trough deformity.
5. The Etching of Dynamic Wrinkles:
Our eyes are powerful communicators, reflecting a wide range of emotions through the constant contraction and relaxation of the surrounding facial muscles. Over time, these repetitive movements – the squinting, smiling, and frowning – lead to the formation of dynamic wrinkles, such as crow's feet at the corners of the eyes and frown lines between the eyebrows. The natural ageing process and external factors like excessive sun exposure and smoking can accelerate the development and deepening of these lines.
The Solution: Neurotoxin Injectables.
These injectable treatments are the gold standard for addressing dynamic wrinkles around the eyes. They work by temporarily relaxing the action of the orbicularis oculi muscle, the circular muscle that surrounds the eye. By softening these muscle contractions, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is significantly reduced, resulting in a smoother and more youthful complexion around the eyes.
Seeking expert advice is paramount when considering procedures to address ageing around the eyes. While general plastic surgeons possess broad training in body reconstruction, oculoplastic surgeons offer a highly specialised focus on the intricate anatomy of the upper third of the face and the delicate functioning of the eye and its surrounding structures. Their specialised knowledge ensures a nuanced understanding and a tailored approach to achieving optimal and natural-looking results while prioritising the health and function of your eyes. Consulting with an experienced oculoplastic surgeon is the essential first step towards revealing brighter, more youthful eyes.
To book a Consultation with Award-winning Consultant Oculoplastic Surgeon, Ms Aoife Naughton, send an enquiry to info@aoifenaughton.com or book an appointment directly on the enquiries page.
