Treatments For Under Eye Area
The area under the eye is the most delicate and shows early signs of ageing as compared to other areas of the face. This is because the skin in this region is the thinnest underneath of which there is a thin layer of fat, muscle and blood vessels. With age the bone underneath starts melting and the fat starts to slip downwards. This causes a sunken appearance in the skin under the eye area known as the tear trough region. This depression casts a shadow, which makes it seem as if you have dark circles.
Because the skin here is thin the blood vessels underneath which are green also reflect as darkness. The under eye area is also susceptible to pigmentation and darkness because of the frequent rubbing of the eyes in the delicate area but one is also predisposed to this pigmentation genetically.
Under Eye Filler : We loose collagen every year as we age which is a structure in the skin that provides firmness. When we lose collagen, the fat under the skin droops, and it shows as hollowness under the eye. This gives us a tired and sad appearance and makes us look aged. This can easily be corrected with an under eye filler treatment. Filler is an injection that contains Hyaluronic acid and this molecule binds to several molecules its weight in water thereby hydrating and plumping the area. The effect of the filler can last a good year or more and the result is instantaneous.
Botulinum Toxin Injections to reduce Lines and wrinkles : The lines and wrinkles you form at the outer corner of the eyes are called ‘Crows Feet’. With time as the skin loses elasticity the lines formed from the muscles of expression ie smiling causes these lines to get etched in forming wrinkles. Botulinum toxin is a purified protein which when injected into the muscles temporarily freezes the muscle making the skin look smooth and stretched. This can be injected at the outer corner of the eye as well as below the eye to relax the muscle activity, to stretch and smoothen lines around the eyes. The result from this treatment would typically last 12 weeks but can last longer if done regularly.
Ultherapy : Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound energy to deliver thermal energy deep within the skin layers that induces collagen formation. It is the only FDA approved non surgical face lift to lift and tighten skin around the face and neck. Results from Ultherapy typically last upto 2 years and the procedure can be combined with an under eye filler for long lasting results.
Q switched Laser : The delicate area under the eye is not so amenable to skin peels to reduce pigmentation hence Q switched laser treatment would be ideal. Q switched laser targets melanin the brown pigment in our skin and results are seen over a period of time after a few sessions. Typically 4-5 sittings are recommended with good skin care and sun protection.
Peels : Under eye area is delicate hence this area is treated specifically by peels which are kinder to the area such as lactic and TCA. Good maintenance and care must be followed with sun protection for optimal results. Typically 4-6 sittings maybe required.
PRP : Platelet rich plasma has many uses in medicine as well as Cosmetology. The platelet rich plasma is collected and spun from patients own blood. This PRP solution when injected activates growth factors and these stimulate healing and the production of collagen. This PRP is injected in the form of tiny micro injections in the under eye region or it maybe applied in the area and followed with a dermaroller or dermapen treatment under the eye. This treatment may cause some bruising and a gradual improvement is seen after 6-8 weeks. 3 sittings are usually undertaken with a gap of 6-8 weeks between the sessions.
