The wrinkles that develop under the eyes are caused by a combination of factors. Facial expressions coupled with the effects of aging, such as thinning skin, decline in collagen and loss of elasticity, can all lead to what is commonly known as laugh lines. However, there are products and procedure available to get rid of wrinkles under the eyes. Some are more beneficial than others, but most provide at least modest results.
Step 1
Try an under-eye cream. Though there are a myriad of under-eye creams that are said to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, the experts at the Mayo Clinic recommend using products with the active ingredients of alpha hydroxy, kinetin, copper peptides, retinol or coenzyme Q10. For best results, apply under the eyes twice a day.
Step 2
Talk to your dermatologist about retinoic acid. Available by prescription, this U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved topical cream helps to stimulate the production of collagen, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. As more and more collagen forms under the wrinkles around the eyes, the skin becomes smooth, reducing the signs of laugh lines. Daily application is necessary to provide results.
Step 3
Start using Botox. The Mayo Clinic states that periodic injections of botulinum toxin type A can relax the muscles around the eyes, flattening the skin and reducing the appearance of laugh lines.
Step 4
Try soft tissue fillers. Much like Botox, soft tissue fillers are injected into wrinkles under the eyes. But instead of relaxing the muscles, the fillers "fill-in" deeper laugh lines, causing a smoother appearance to the skin. Your options of fillers are typically human collagen, bovine collagen, hyaluronic acid or harvested fat tissue.
Step 5
Consider dermabrasion. Dermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure that uses a small wire brush to sand away the top layer of your skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. As the wire brush rotates, a wound forms that is later replaced by healthy, more youthful-looking skin. For finer laugh lines and wrinkles under the eyes, you may benefit from microdermabrasion, which is a less invasive form of dermabrasion with a faster recovery time.
Step 6
Make an appointment for a chemical peel. This is probably more beneficial if you are looking to rid wrinkles from more of the face than just around the eyes. According to both the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology, chemical peels remove the top layer of the skin, much like with dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, leaving the skin smoother and more even than prior to the procedure.
Step 7
Talk to a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon about laser skin rejuvenation. In this cosmetic procedure, intense pulses of light energy are administered to the skin to remove the epidermis while heating the dermis, as indicated by the Mayo Clinic. Removing the epidermis can promote healthier looking skin while heating the dermis can prompt collagen production, filling in the lines and wrinkles under the eyes.
Step 8
Consider an under-eye lift. Much like a standard face lift, excess skin is removed along the hairline, in this case, along the temple and ears. The skin is pulled back and sutured, tightening the skin to the point that reduces the appearance of the wrinkles.
Tips and Warnings
- To prevent premature aging around the eyes, invest in a moisturizer containing an SPF. Sun damage often leads to wrinkles, so applying an SPF moisturizer can limit UV-ray exposure.
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