If you have tired eyes, you are not alone. Many people look tired, even when they regularly get enough sleep. That can be due to heredity, poor nutrition, or even too much sun. Most of the time it is due to the natural aging process and loss of the natural fat under your skin which creates hallows. Dark circles, deep folds, lines, wrinkles, and heavy bags under the eyes can make you look more tired than you actually are.
Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to remedy the situation and make yourself look vibrant, youthful, and well rested.
Folk Remedies
The Big Chill
Applying cold compresses to your eyelids can constrict the blood vessels, reducing the flow of fluids around your eyes. Some brave souls even dunk their faces into bowls of ice water, but you can achieve a similar effect by placing a cool, damp washcloth over your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, keep a couple metal spoons in the refrigerator to place over your eyelids to diminish swelling.
Cucumbers, Tea Bags, and Potato Slices
Cool, fresh veggies and tea bags may also promote blood vessel restriction, helping to reduce puffiness, eliminate dark circles, and minimize bags under your eyes. Additionally, the vitamin C found in cucumbers and the anti-oxidants in tea bags may help to nourish the skin. Simply place these items over your eyes while relaxing and let them take effect.
Cosmeceuticals
Lower eyelids tend to appear tired because of two reasons: hyperpigmentation and loss of collagen. Medical-based skin treatments or cosmeceuticals can lighten dark patches and encourage the production of collagen and elastin. We recommend Dr. Roche’s private label Flawless Eye Cream which contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid and Retinol. It improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as address puffiness and dark circles. While topical treatments may work well for crow’s feet, fine lines and discoloration, they may not be effective as the only treatment for more pronounced problems.
Cosmetic Treatments
Chemical Peels and Laser Treatments
Peels and laser treatments are particularly popular with sun damaged skin, as they can reduce discoloration and create smoother looking skin. Superficial peels remove the very top layer of skin, which allows creams and other treatments to penetrate the skin more effectively. Medium peels penetrate more deeply, and as the skin heals, structural improvements can occur.
Something to keep in mind when considering chemical peels or laser treatments is that they often take up to two weeks to reduce redness. Both laser peels and chemical peels can be customized to be light or stronger which changes the down time. Some patients opt for a series of light peels, chemical or laser, which has a shorter duration of down time, while other patients opt for the “one and done” approach which will have at least two weeks of downtime.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy uses ultrasound waves that create a thermocoagulation point, or heat similar to lasers, but penetrates to deeper tissues. It tightens loose skin and reduces the fine lines and wrinkles around the eye. It can also lift you eyebrow and upper lid area. However, there is no down time with this treatment making it one of our most popular under eye rejuvenation skin tightening procedures!
Surgery
Some patients, unfortunately, start caring for their under-eye area late in life and sometimes are left with only one option for correction of severely loose skin. Eyelid surgery can eliminate under-eye skin laxity, puffiness and reduce hooding of the upper eyelid. Called blepharoplasty, this surgery removes excess skin from the upper eyelids. However sometimes the problem is not surgically correctable especially if it is volume loss from the natural fat pad under your eyes. This is where dermal fillers come into play.
Injectables & Under Eye Fillers
All skin loses and collagen over time, which causes the skin to sag. Additionally, when you have a loss of fat or bone due to aging, this may create a hollowed-out effect, which injectables and under-eye fillers may be effective at treating.
Eye fillers are used to restore volume and return a youthful appearance to your under-eye and upper-cheek areas. Some fillers are thin and treat fine lines, while others are thicker and add volume and lift. You can opt for eye fillers made of your own body tissue such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) or explore some of the following options.
Hyaluronic Acid-Based Fillers
Hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Restylane and Belotero Balance smooth fine wrinkles, hide dark circles, and fill in hollows under the eye. These formulations can be customized for the most natural-looking results, and the results last for up to a year or more.
Botox
Botox and other neurotoxins such as Dysport and Xeomin help reduce muscle movement that causes wrinkles with movement such as smiling or squinting. Typically, these treatments last three to four months, and they can offer additional benefits such as migraine relief.
There is no need to “look so tired’ anymore. You can tailor your under-eye treatments to work with your budget and your objectives. Patients often report more effective results from a professional than they do with at home remedies. To learn more, contact the Elizabeth Roche Med Spa.