Aging Around the Eyes: Do You Have These Eye Area Concerns?

We know we’ve said it a lot of times: The skin around the eyes is among the first areas to show signs of aging. It is naturally thinner and more delicate than the rest of the body, making it susceptible to wear, tear, and aging. The skin around the outer corner of the eyes, furthermore, lacks sebaceous glands, as well as collagen and elastin fibers. 

For these reasons, lines, puffiness, and dark circles may show up earlier than you might have expected. They can also make you look older, sad, tired, or angry even when you’re not. This is why if you want this area not to betray your age, we recommend using a product specifically made for the skin around the eyes. 

Before we list down our product/treatment recommendations, let us first discuss the common eye area concerns, as well as the causes or factors that can contribute to their appearance.

Dark circles under eyes

Many of us spend most of our time in front of a screen, which can then put a lot of stress on our eyes and the skin around them. While this does not directly cause dark circles, it can cause them to become visible. Blue light emitted from electronic devices can also affect your sleep-wake cycle and disrupt your sleep. This can worsen dark circles.

Dark circles can also be due to genetics and environmental factors. Those with darker skin tones are more likely to have hyperpigmentation under the eyes (as well as other areas of the skin) because there is more melanin in the body. Fatigue, lack of sleep, and sun exposure can also contribute to dark circles.

Puffiness or undereye bags

One of the main reasons for puffiness is fluid retention, which can be due to excessive salt intake. A salty diet causes the skin to retain fluid, with the excess water accumulating around the eye area. This can then result in puffiness or under-eye swelling. 

Genetics can also be a reason, as under-eye bags tend to run in families. Allergies can also contribute to the problem, as it releases a chemical called histamine that causes dilation of blood vessels. This can cause swelling and inflammation in the area, as well as dark circles and the appearance of blood-shot eyes.

Fine lines and wrinkles

Aging or the loss of skin elasticity is the most common cause. Repetitive facial expressions such as smiling and squinting can also cause early or premature wrinkles. And as the skin’s elasticity decreases over time, it also loses its ability to bounce back or spring back into place. This causes creases and lines to form.

Another major contributor is prolonged sun exposure. If you love being out in the sun without proper protection, damage from UV rays will ultimately start to accumulate, leading to lines and wrinkles. Other contributors include smoking, rubbing your eyes, pollution, and genetics.

Droopiness or droopy eyelids

This is due to the loss of skin elasticity, as the lack of support for the skin causes it to start drooping. The sagging effect is most obvious around the eye area due to its thin and delicate skin. This droopiness can affect the brow or make the eyelid low, with many complaining about the loose or extra folding of the skin. 

Most bags and sags are usually related to aging. The combination of delicate skin with repetitive sun exposure and facial movements like blinking can cause the skin to stretch. The tear trough or the space between the lower eyelid can also become hollow over time with aging or when there is volume loss in the area. 

Products and treatments we recommend

Quality eye care products such as creams or serums can give your skin the delicate care and attention they deserve. This is especially true for those with antioxidants and other anti-aging ingredients that can moisturize the skin sufficiently and help prevent the appearance of aging.

At Cutis, we have two eye care products that can help improve signs of aging and common skin concerns around the eyes: Elastifirm Eye Repair and Elastifirm Eye Restore. 

Elastifirm® Eye Repair with Persian Silk Tree Extract – contains collagen- and elastin-boosting ingredients to support the strength of the skin. It also has antioxidants that can protect the skin from free radicals that can cause fine lines and aging skin. Benefits include:

• Helps reduce puffiness
• Tightens the upper eyelid
• Helps reduce the look of dark circles
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines (crow’s feet) and wrinkles

Elastifirm® Eye Restore with Peptides and Arnica – contains clinically-proven ingredients that can help reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. It can also improve blood flow and microcirculation, which helps reduce the accumulation of melanin (dark pigment) and dilated blood vessels that contribute to under eye darkening. Benefits include:

• Helps reduce puffiness
• Retains moisture in the skin (this reduces the look of fine lines)
• Reduces dark circles by improving blood circulation

These are topical products that can help moisturize the area and prevent signs of aging. They can be a part of your daily skincare routine to keep the eye area smooth, bright, and younger-looking. Be sure to also practice good lifestyle habits like eating nutritious food, getting enough sleep, and avoiding prolonged and unprotected sun exposure. 

Do take note, however, that you cannot solely rely on eye creams and serums to completely erase wrinkles and other signs of aging. The following procedures are worth considering if you’re already dealing with visible eye area concerns.

• Botox – for prominent wrinkles around the eyes, as well as the forehead and between the brows. Botox temporarily freezes the muscles responsible for wrinkles for an energized or refreshed appearance.
• Dermal fillers – can provide additional volume to help lift the area under the eyes and reduce shadowing that can lead to dark circles. 
• VI Peel – a safe chemical peel that can be used on skin around the eyes. It can treat different skin concerns for a brighter and younger-looking appearance.
• Plasmage – delivers patented plasma energy on the tissues to improve droopy or saggy eyelids. It removes excess skin through sublimation or evaporating the skin’s top layer. Plasmage can lift, tighten and rejuvenate the skin around the eyes.

Don’t let these eye area concerns make you older than you really are. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor in Singapore to learn which eyecare products and treatments are right for you.