The arrival of summer has all of us feeling like we have been set free from the grip of a long, cold winter. Before you head out into the sunshine, take some time to protect your eyes. This is one of the first areas that develops lines and wrinkles. Understanding how your eyes age arms you with the knowledge you need to fend off wrinkles and sagging, but if you do have signs of aged eyes, eyelid surgery can help.
The Unique Skin Around Your Eyes
Once you reach your 30s, your body makes less collagen that what is lost, and this causes changes to the strength and resilience of your skin. In most areas of the face, the changes are not obvious for a few years, but the skin around your eyes is the exception. The skin around your eyes at any age is approximately 10x thinner than your other skin. This means that even the slightest decrease in collagen has a visible difference.
The Eyelids: Fat is a Good Thing
The upper eyelids below your eyebrows have soft, natural contour thanks to small amounts of fat in the skin. Your eyes age when you lose fat and skin elasticity. The upper and lower eyelids give way to gravity. In the upper eyelids, what you may notice is that your eyes do not look as large as they once did and eye makeup does not have the same effect. When you have sagging in the lower eyelids, you may notice that more of the bottom of your eyeball is exposed. Changes to your eyelids make you appear sad and tired.
Signs of Aged Eyes
The eye area ages differently for each person, depending on genetics, lifestyle and other factors. Some of the most common signs of aged eyes are:
- Fine lines at the outer corners (crow’s feet)
- Upper eyelids that hang down over the eyes
- Puffiness or bags under your eyes
- Puffiness just below your eyebrows
Blepharoplasty for Aged Eyes
Addressing the sagging and puffiness of your upper and lower eyelids makes a world of difference when you have aged eyes. The surgery can be performed on the upper, lower or both eyelids. This is a relatively straightforward procedure that requires small incisions in locations where the scars are not obvious. We remove small amounts of fat and skin to help with the sagging and puffiness. If we determine that your eyebrows are also drooping, we may recommend a combination of eyelid surgery and brow lift.
Protect Your Eyes This Summer
Prevention is always important, so here are a few tips for protecting your eyes this summer.
- Wear sunglasses. Squinting pinches the skin around your eyes, and this can cause fine lines and wrinkles.
- Calm your eyes with a cool washcloth. Rubbing your eyes stretches the skin, and this may lead to fine lines and sagging in older skin.
- Drink plenty of water. Hyaluronic acid in your skin binds with water to fend off wrinkles and maintain a supple appearance.
Learn More About Eyelid Surgery and Other Treatments for Aged Eyes. Contact Connecticut Surgical Arts.
If your eyes are showing signs of aging, contact Connecticut Surgical Arts to schedule a consultation. We offer blepharoplasty and brow lift surgery, as well as non-surgical options for the eye area.