How to Get Rid of Under-Eye Wrinkles

March 30, 2023 by VitalSkin Dermatology

While smiling can make us happy, it’s not always best for the delicate skin around the eyes, leaving us with creases and lines before our times. When you add the stress of life in the mix— or even some bad habits— you can end up with some serious creases under your eyes. What can be done about these frustrating wrinkles? Cosmetic dermatology has made a number of inroads into the treatment of under eye wrinkles. From topical treatments you can do at home to more intense or medical-grade procedures done at the doctor’s office, these treatments can alleviate the depth and intensity of under-eye creases to give you a more youthful and vibrant look.

What Causes Under-Eye Wrinkles?

Under-eye wrinkles are typically caused by a combination of aging, sun exposure, and lifestyle habits. As you age, the delicate skin around the eyes can lose elasticity and collagen— two key components to youthful-looking skin. Sun damage causes premature aging in this area as well. Finally, everyday habits like squinting or smoking can contribute to the formation of wrinkles.

Topicals

To begin with, you want to make sure that you have the best topical solutions at home to treat your under-eye area. All good skin care begins with the refinement and moisturization of the skin’s surface. A good topical cream for the under-eye area can do one or more of the following:

• Moisturize the skin.
• Increase collagen production in the skin.
• Encourage the exfoliation of the top layers of the skin.

Keep in mind that the under-eye area is particularly delicate, and you want to look for topical solutions that are made for that particular region of the face. The cream that you use overall on your face, for example, may not be as effective under the eye.

Which topicals should you consider? Work in consultation with a dermatologist to choose one or more of the following:

• A retinol-based cream – Increases collagen production and ‘tricks’ the skin into acting younger, encouraging the skin to renew itself more quickly.
• A Vitamin C cream – Vitamin C helps moisturize the skin and acts as an antioxidant, too.
• Hyaluronic acid – Hyaluronic acid draws moisture in the skin to the surface, giving the skin a plumper look that can minimize the appearance of fine lines. You can also often find hyaluronic acid in patch form. These patches are applied to the under-eye area and help reduce puffiness while also plumping up the skin.

When used regularly, these types of products can improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye. They will not, however, have much of an effect on deeper lines, which typically require the next level of intervention—medical-grade procedures.

Best Treatments for Under-Eye Wrinkles

If the wrinkles under your eyes are not of the ‘fine’ variety, you may want to consider the next level of treatment that you can get at your cosmetic dermatologist’s office. These options include:

• Injectables
• Microneedling
• Laser treatment

Injectables used under the eye can not only address the issue of wrinkles but also can address the loss of volume in the eye socket which can make our eyes look older.

Microneedling is a semi-invasive procedure that subtly interferes with the surface of the skin to encourage it to kick into gear and generate new skin cells and produce more collagen. You may have had microneedling done on your face in the past, but it can also be done on the eye area to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Finally, discuss the option of laser treatment on your under-eye area with your dermatologist. Laser resurfacing is one of the most effective ways to treat deeper lines and other signs of aging around the eyes. Much like microneedling, laser treatment also encourages the skin to produce new, more youthful-looking skin. As a non-invasive procedure, laser treatment for the under eye is one of the most popular treatments out there, giving patients results without going under the knife.

How to Prevent Under-Eye Wrinkles

The best way to take care of your under-eye area is to be proactive. There are small steps you can start taking immediately that will help keep the under-eye area looking healthy and youthful:

Wear sunscreen every day – Sun damage contributes heavily to wrinkles. Wear a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen every time you go outside.

Apply an eye cream every day – Eye creams are specially formulated for the delicate eye area. Look for one that contains hyaluronic acid and retinol, as these two ingredients will help to re-plump the skin and also encourage collagen production.

Eat a healthy diet – Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats will provide your skin with the nutrients it needs to stay looking its best.

Stay hydrated – Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help keep your skin nourished and looking fresh.

By taking these steps you can ensure that the delicate under-eye area is properly taken care of, reducing the risk of developing wrinkles in the future. Taking a proactive approach to skincare is always the best option, so start taking steps today to keep your eye area looking its best for years to come.

Talk With a Dermatologist

If you want to learn more about under-eye treatments for wrinkles, get in touch with a cosmetic dermatologist today. They can walk you through your options and help you find a procedure that works for you and your needs. Dermatology has found a way through when it comes to pesky, under-eye wrinkles. The right cosmetic dermatologist can significantly improve the look of your eyes for an overall more youthful appearance.