W AESTHETICS
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IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EYES
BY DR SALLY ANN-DOLAN
It is said that the eyes provide a window to the soul, but for those
who suffer from aesthetic conditions in this area, the view their eyes
offer may be a bit misleading. Clients often complain that puffy
lower eyelids, dark undereye circles, and excessive creasing in the eye
area give the impression that they are tired or stressed out when, in
reality, these problems usually have little to do with such factors.
By its very nature, the periorbital region that surrounds the eyes is the
first area of the face to show signs of ageing; this appearance is due to
three main factors. At 0.5 millimetre, the skin on the upper and lower
eyelids is the thinnest on the body (compared to the two millimetre-
average thickness of most facial skin). Its thinness causes it to be
slightly transparent, allowing the vascular supply below the skin to be
visible on the surface. Secondly, the eye area has fewer oil glands than
the rest of the face, making it prone to dryness. This lack of moisture
exacerbates the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Finally, the skin
that surrounds the eyes is constantly moving due to squinting and
blinking throughout the day. All of this movement further encourages
the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. The problem is compounded
by our modern lifestyle, UV damage, alcohol, bad diet and poor sleep.
While these factors can make the situation sound hopeless, the good
news is that nearly all aesthetic eye issues can be fixed. Determining
the right approach simply requires an understanding of the various
circumstances that lead to these unwanted, aesthetic characteristics of
the eye area.
Crow’s feet
Crow’s feet are the fine lines that radiate out from the corners of the eyes.
They are often the first wrinkles to appear and are caused by repeated
contractions of the facial muscles used to smile squint and laugh.
Crow’s feet go by numerous common names including laughter lines,
smile lines, and character lines. Whilst ‘character lines’ and ‘laughter
lines’ sound a bit more flattering they still point to the same thing – and
inevitable sign that you are getting older.
Anti-wrinkle injections commonly known as ‘Botox’ treats crow’s feet by
paralysing the facial muscles around your eyes that cause wrinkles. The
procedure takes less than 30 minutes and results can last approximately
3 to 6 months.
Tear Troughs
As we age, we lose volume in the tear trough region – giving us tired
eyes due to dark circles, wrinkles, thinning skin and under-eye hollows.
This ageing change can start as early as our late twenties and can cause
a lot of distress when looking in the mirror.
78 wirrallife.com
Dermal fillers (Hyaluronic Acid) are an effective way of treating dark
circles under the eyes and under-eye hollows due to volume loss.
Precisely based filler adds volume to the area, reducing the darkness,
hollows and wrinkles. It also improves skin quality by boosting collagen
production and hydrating skin from the inside.
Heavy Eyelids
Droopy or heavy eyelids are a major reason why some people consider
eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) to remove and tighten excess skin for a
more alert an youthful appearance. However many people are not ready
to undergo treatment with a scalpel and it is in this situation PlexR
should be considered.
PlexR is relatively new innovation and has many advantages over
surgery which makes it an increasingly popular treatment method.
There is no cutting of the skin, no stitches and most people can return
to work within the next day or two. It is much quicker than surgery
considerably cheaper but the effects can last just as long.
Crepey Eyes
The Fotona Smooth Eye treatment is an effective method to combat
signs of ageing and freshen up your look. This laser treatment targets
loose skin and wrinkles and significantly tightens the area, whilst
rejuvenating the skin around the eye. There is little downtime and
the procedure is comfortable as it is performed after the application
of a local topical anaesthetic cream. This treatment is performed on a
monthly basis.
There is no shortage of skin care products marketed to address issues
concerning the eye area. Advances in skin care chemistry allow for
the improvement of aesthetic issues in the periorbital region that are
caused by a reduction in collagen production, dry skin, and/or excess
skin pigment. Proven ingredients to look for in skin care products
for the periorbital region include aloe vera, peptides, hyaluronic acid,
retinol, vitamins A & C, alpha hydroxy acids, all of which encourage
the production of collagen and elastin and reduce inflammation. Other
great ingredients include kojic acid, liquorice extract and niacinamide,
a form of vitamin B that all aid in pigment reduction.
At the end of the day, our role in this industry is to help clients feel like
the very best version of themselves. By encouraging them to make their
personal health and wellness a priority, we not only stand to optimize
the client’s appearance, but also to improve their overall happiness.
To contact SDS Rejuvenate, visit www.sdsrejuvenate.co.uk