Dry Skin & Wrinkles Under the Eyes
Wrinkles are an unfortunate side effect of getting older; but by maintaining moisture under your eyes and taking some precautions, you can diminish your chances of getting wrinkled and thus look much younger.
Wrinkles are an unfortunate side effect of getting older; but by maintaining moisture under your eyes and taking some precautions, you can diminish your chances of getting wrinkled and thus look much younger. Currently, there are many treatments to help replenish dry skin and several medical procedures to help reduce wrinkles under your eyes. Natural moisturizers and treatments, while believed to decrease fine lines and creases, have not been medically proven to be beneficial.
Wrinkles
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Wrinkles are a natural part of aging.” As skin ages it gets thin, dry and less elastic, resulting in fine lines and creases. Aging results in the loss of moisture and oil, which you need for young looking skin. Moistur—water inside cells—keeps them full and plump; and oil keeps the moisture inside the cell to ensure smooth skin under your eyes.
Prevention
Plastic surgeon, Dr. Gerald Imber, featured on GoodHousekeeping.com, recommends washing your face with a super moisturizing unscented soap to remove oil, dirt and makeup. Dr. Imber stresses the need to moisturize and use antioxidants like vitamins C and E, soy and green tea to restore and guard skin from ultraviolet rays and pollution. MayoClinic.com advises that you avoid the sun during its hottest rays—10am to 4pm—and wear sunscreen. Don’t smoke because smoking reduces under eye firmness.
While thought to be beneficial, vitamins C, E, soy and green tea have not been medically proven to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays and pollutants.
Causes
According to the Mayo Clinic, genetics, decreased moisture, the sun and smoking are factors in getting wrinkled skin. Skin under the eyes that is depleted of moisture will appear thin and older; and overexposure to the sun makes skin parched and lined. Smoking decreases blood flow and depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients such as vitamin A. Smoking also damages skin collagen—elastin fibers that give it strength and elasticity—resulting in loose skin under the eyes.
Minor Wrinkles
To improve slight wrinkling, Phyllis Balch’s book, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” suggests finding products that contain moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera and glycerin. Balch recommends using primrose oil and lavender water with essential oil to combat dry skin under your eyes. Imber, recommends a moisturizer with alpha hydroxy acids and the vitamin A derivative Retinol for renewed skin. Use the herb calendula for new cell formation, collagen cream for nourishment and the mineral zinc for more resilient skin, says Balch . Aloe vera, glycerin, primrose oil, lavender water, calendula, collagen and zinc are believed to help skin look younger, but are not clinically proven wrinkle remedies.
Severe Wrinkles
Imber says that for severe wrinkles you should use a prescription medication with potent vitamin A to encourage cell turnover and produce collagen. On RealSelf.com, San Francisco plastic surgeon Scott W. Mosser, states that significant under eye wrinkles may be erased by fillers such as hyaluronic acid gels and chemical peels. Imber cautions that you should seek a dermatologist or plastic surgeon when considering certain treatments that, “Partially remove at least one layer of skin.” Very pronounced lines under the eyes can be erased by lower eyelid surgery or lower blepharoplasty which should only be performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, says Mosser.