Aging is something that happens to all of us. But just because it’s natural doesn’t mean we have to throw in the towel and let it do whatever it wants to our looks, especially around the eyes. You know, those annoying droopy lids, dark circles and the skin that stops being as tight as it used to be. They can really make us seem more tired and, dare we say, older than we actually feel. There’s good news! There are a bunch of strategies out there that can help us tackle these concerns and give our faces a fresher, more youthful look.
What Causes Droopy Eyelids, Circles & Sags?
First things first, we need to get to the bottom of why our eyes start to show signs of aging. The skin around our eyes is super delicate and thin, which means it’s the first to show when old age starts to catch up. How aging affects the eyes is particularly noticeable, as they begin to droop, wrinkle or develop puffiness due to the natural loss of elasticity and collagen over time.
As we get older, the skin loses its bounce and the muscles that keep our eyelids from drooping get weaker. This can cause extra skin and fat to build up both above and below our eyelids, making them droop and sag. Sun damage, our genes and bad habits like smoking can make this happen even faster.
The surgical solution
If you’re looking for something that’ll really knock it out of the park, then you can go for blepharoplasty, which is just another word for eyelid surgery. This can make a huge difference if you have really droopy eyelids or bags that no amount of concealer can hide.
The surgery is usually done with just some numbing cream and a little sedative, so you’re not too uncomfortable. The doctor will make some tiny cuts along your eyelid creases to keep the scars hidden. Then, they’ll carefully take away the extra skin, muscle and sometimes fat.
You’ll look a bit puffy and bruised for a couple of weeks after, but most people are back to their regular routine in about 10 to 14 days. Just make sure you follow the surgeon’s after-care advice to heal up nicely.
Non-surgical solutions
There are some non-surgical options you can go for, depending on your case of course:
- Topical treatments: These beauty creams have ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid and peptides that can help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. They work by giving your skin a collagen boost and keeping it hydrated so it looks plump and young.
- Injectables: If your eyelids are drooping and you’ve got dark circles, botox can be your go-to. It can lift your brows and chill out those wrinkles. Fillers are great for adding volume to those sunken-in areas and making your under-eye bags disappear.
- Laser treatments: Laser resurfacing is a little miracle worker for your skin. It zaps away at the deeper layers to get your collagen working overtime. This can make your skin look smoother and brighter, taking years off those fine lines and wrinkles.
- Radiofrequency therapy: This one’s a bit like a non-surgical facelift. It uses radio waves to heat up your skin and encourage collagen to kick into gear. This can give you a gentle lift and firm up your skin without any cutting.
Combining treatments for best results
Sometimes, the best way to get the look you want is to combine the surgeries with the non-surgical treatments. For instance, you might get the surgery to fix the big issues and then use botox or fillers to fine-tune everything. Or maybe you get the surgery and then hit your skin with some lasers or chemical peels to smooth things out even more.
Maintaining your results
Once you have the youthful glow going, you’ve got to keep it that way. Make sure you’re slathering on sunscreen and wearing sunglasses to keep the sun’s rays at bay.
Also, living a healthy lifestyle with good food, regular exercise and plenty of sleep is like giving your skin a love letter every day.
Wrapping up
If you’re not loving the way your eyes are aging, there’s hope. Whether you go the surgery route or stick with the less invasive treatments, there are ways to make your eyes look brighter and younger. But remember, the most important part is talking to a professional. They’ll help you figure out what’s best for your unique situation.
