Treating Eye Wrinkles

Eye wrinkles are one of the most apparent and disliked components of facial aging. Known by different names (e.g., crow’s feet), these wrinkles are physically caused by the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Over the years as we age, these components to healthy skin are broken down and do not replace themselves as well as they would when you are young.

There are numerous factors that effect how we age and thus how wrinkly our skin becomes. Described below are three of the most common and important factors that contribute to the aging of the skin.

1. Toxins are ever present, they’re in the air you breathe and the food you eat. These miscellaneous chemicals and compounds have an effect on your body’s ability to maintain healthy cells and have an impact on the way your skin ages. If you are concerned about how much your skin is aging it would be wise to avoid toxins when possible. For example, avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, pollution in the air, and alcohol use. Drinking alcohol causes dehydration which is detrimental in terms of overall skin health.
2. Stress can also cause your skin to age faster. An important component of the stress response is a hormone called cortisol. This hormone is produced when the body is under stress. As we age, the amount that is present in the body increases as the levels of the other hormones present in the body gradually lower. Cortisol causes a loss of collagen and elastin in the skin which can lead to an uneven appearance of the skin and wrinkles. Aside from its impact of the skin, it is wise for additional reasons to avoid stress. In general, stress has a very adverse impact on the body’s health which is particularly evident in the skin.
3. Nutrition is another component that causes, and may perhaps prevent skin aging and eye wrinkles. Poor nutrition is characterized as eating foods more for taste than nutrient content. Accordingly, even if you eat a lot every day you may be malnourished. Not eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables may lead to an underlying state of malnourishment. Similarly, choosing unhealthy fats rather than healthier oils and eating processed sugared sweets rather than naturally sweet foods can cause malnourishment. This can lead to faster aging and more wrinkles in the eyes and face. In order to maintain a healthy, well-nourished body, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, stay away from unhealthy fats, cook with olive oil instead of vegetable oil, and choose lean meats when you have the option.

There are a number of different ways that you can treat eye wrinkles - some more invasive than others. Below is a breakdown of the three broad categories of treatment along with some information about each.

1. Surgical procedures: These are done by a dermatologist and are on the invasive side of treatments. Although most procedures can be done within one visit to the doctor, there is often a significant recovery period associated with them. These treatments are very effective, however, they can also be quite expensive.
2. Injectable fillers: These are also done by a dermatologist during a single visit. However, the down time is minimal if not non-existent. It is extremely important to choose a highly qualified doctor and to do your research about the type of filler to use since you are treating a very sensitive area. These procedures are generally less expensive than a surgical procedure, but more expensive than a topical cream of serum.
3. Topical creams and serums: These have the benefit of being over-the-counter which is extremely convenient. They are also the cheapest method available. However, in order to be effective, a topical cream must be applied regularly for at least 6-8 weeks. Accordingly, it can take some time before you have a good idea of whether or not the product is working properly. With that being said, topical creams can be very effective when used properly - you just need to be patient!

If you decide to look for an over-the-counter product to treat your eye wrinkles, here are a few ingredients to look for.

1. Vitamin C: Great for wrinkles of all kinds. Just make sure you use a low dose as this can be irritating to the eye in high quantities.
2. Coenzyme Q10: Great for the eye area because is is extremely gentle. This has become a very popular ingredient over the past few years.
3. Peptides: These come in many different forms. Look for any ingredient with the name peptide in it (e.g., tetrapeptide).

There are undoubtedly many other ingredients out there that work well. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list - just a way to get you started thinking about the possible options for under eye wrinkles.

In sum, to avoid excessive aging and have minimal face and eye wrinkles, a healthy life is the best solution. Avoid drinking and smoking cigarettes, avoid being around smoke, and when buying topical solutions and soaps avoid ones that are dehydrating. Try to avoid stress when possible. Although it’s nearly impossible to totally avoid stress, you might benefit from finding an outlet or coping mechanisms to relieve stress so its impact is lessened.

Once you have eye wrinkles, you can choose between surgical procedures, injectable fillers, and topical creams and serums. Each have their own benefits and drawbacks, so your choice depends on what you can afford, and how invasive of a procedure you are willing to have done. In the end, hopefully you will be able to successfully remove eye wrinkles.