Drooping eyelids, swollen under-eye bags and crow’s feet all have the effect of making us look older, more tired and less friendly than we may feel. If you see this in your appearance and want to change it, but don’t want to commit to surgery, Dr. Joseph Michaels lists the most effective ways you can achieve younger-looking eyes without the need for incisions or stitches.
Adequate Sleep
We’ve all heard the term “beauty sleep,” and this phrase happens to be true: our sleep patterns have a direct effect on our facial appearance, particularly the appearance of our eyes and the surrounding area. It is recommended that a person gets between six and eight hours of uninterrupted sleep a night in order for the skin to heal and rejuvenate from stressors. During this time, the body’s cortisol and insulin levels are activated to produce collagen and growth hormones, which aid in skin tissue repair. Lack of sleep causes the body to overproduce stress hormones and accelerates the skin’s aging process, shown most dramatically in the delicate skin area around the eyes. This is why when you don’t get adequate rest, you’re met with puffy eyes, swollen under-eye bags and more noticeable crow’s feet when you gaze into the mirror in the morning.
Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Since the skin around our eyes is the thinnest and most delicate skin on our bodies, it requires special attention to preserve its suppleness as we age. Regular use of a good anti-aging eye cream is essential in this endeavor. When shopping for an eye cream, keep a list of what to look for in effective ingredients. Peptides, retinol and vitamin C promote the production of collagen and elastin, both of which have a plumping effect on the skin that helps diminish the appearance of wrinkles. To reduce inflammation that causes puffiness and bags under the eyes, look for the antioxidant DMAE in the ingredients list.
Botox
Want to instantly look years younger from a treatment that requires no surgery or downtime? Botox injections are a popular alternative for patients who want a younger-looking face but without incisions, stitches or a lengthy recovery period afterward. Botox smoothes out crow’s feet, frown lines on the forehead and those unsightly “11” lines between your eyebrows by temporary freezing the muscles that contract in order to form these lines. Not only is the treatment short (typically 15 minutes) and painless, but the results usually last between four to six months. Dr. Michaels has treated countless patients using this safe and effective cosmetic treatment.
Facial Fillers
The fine lines and even deeper wrinkles around our eyes are caused by skin that has lost its elasticity over time. As we age, this can give our eyes a droopy appearance. And since our skin produces less and less collagen as we age, this can cause our eyes to look hollowed out. Facial fillers, also called dermal fillers, are injectable gels created to fill areas in the face, giving them a plumper and more youthful look while also smoothing out wrinkles in the area.
Dr. Michaels uses Restylane and Juvéderm fillers, among others, in his practice. Both are FDA-approved injectable gels made of hyaluronic acid with a firm consistency perfect for smoothing out wrinkled skin, achieving line-free, buoyant skin like you had in your youth. These fillers can be used to lessen the appearance of crow’s feet, dark circles and bags under the eyes, and the results usually last six months or longer.
Learn More about Your Non-Surgical Options
To learn more about the nonsurgical options listed here, as well as other anti-aging treatments offered at Michaels Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Michaels by calling (301) 468-5991 in Bethesda or (703) 957-8610 in Fairfax.
