Understanding How the Eyes Age (And What We Can Do About It)
Aging takes its toll on the body, and the eyes are no exception. As we get older, our skin becomes thinner and more fragile, causing our upper eyelid skin to sag, our brows to descend and the bones around the eyes to become more prominent. Surgery has traditionally been a route for many patients seeking to rejuvenate their eyes, but there are several non-surgical solutions as well. Dr. Alexander Ereso would like to give you a primer on the options.
Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can correct many of the most common problems associated with aging eyes. Following are some excellent reasons to inquire about whether eyelid surgery is the correct solution for you:
- Your upper eyelids have flaps of excess loose skin
- You feel like upper eyelid sagging is impairing your vision
- You have excessively puffy upper or lower eyelids
- You have extensive wrinkling of your lower eyelids
- You have dark circles under your eyes not related to sleep deprivation
- You notice your eyelids are drooping to the point where you can see white below the iris of your eyes
Botox
Botox, comprised of a protein derived from the Botulinum toxin, is a commonly used injectable product that can temporarily counteract the effects of aging by relaxing the muscles in a specific area to smooth the overlying wrinkles.
Chemical Peel or Laser Resurfacing
Crow’s feet (wrinkles at the corners of the eyes) can be addressed with a laser resurfacing treatment. Dark circles beneath the eyes created by dark pigmentation may respond well to a chemical peel or bleaching solution.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a form of sugar that is a natural component of healthy and hydrated skin, and it supports two vital cell elements: collagen and elastin. HA has been medically approved for use since 2005. It is a component in several branded injectable products, including Juvederm, Restylane and HA products are particularly well suited for treating wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet).
HA treatments are generally safe and long-lasting. HA injections to the brow can improve the appearance of the upper eyelid, smoothing the skin to minimize wrinkles.
Dr. Ereso looks forward to speaking with you about restoring a youthful appearance to your eyes. Please call us at (650) 964-6600 to schedule an appointment.
