The skin around your eyes is among the most delicate parts of your face because it is thin. As we age, our skin tends to lose its elasticity, making the area under your eyes more prone to wrinkles and sagging.Combined with sun exposure and sleep deprivation, many people are starting to develop saggy bags under their eyes earlier than they should.
This is why there are thousands of under-eye cosmetic products available in the market today. These products, however, don’t always work as fast as you want them to. Additionally, topical products can’t undo severe sagginess under the eyes.
If you’re looking for ways to tighten the skin under your eyes quickly, opt for cosmetic procedures instead of topical products. Thankfully, you now have multiple under-eye treatment options to choose from, including nonsurgical ones.
Below are some under-eye skin-tightening procedures that bring noticeable results fast.
1. Radio frequency Skin Tightening
Radio frequency therapy is quickly becoming popular as a non-invasive cosmetic treatment option. It uses energy waves to heat the layer of your skin underneath the surface known as the dermis. The heat stimulates collagen production, which helps restore your skin’s elasticity.
The dermatologist uses a skin-tightening machine, like the Accent Prime™ for example, that sends currents from the tip of an electrode to your skin tissue. Patients who’ve had the procedure report some pain, although it’s mostly tolerable.
A 2018 study showed that radio frequency effectively reduces the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes, even for older adults with more pronounced facial lines. The researchers found that three radio frequency skin-tightening treatments over six weeks significantly reduced the under-eye wrinkles of 70 patients aged 40 to 60 years old.
Note that radiofrequency skin tightening procedures require several sessions before they can produce significant results. However, you should see some slight improvements after your first one.
2. Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are another popular no-knife cosmetic procedure. They’re injected just like Botox but use a different substance. Fillers are often made with hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance. It’s known to help hydrate the outer layers of the skin and improve its appearance.
Fillers lie just beneath the surface of the skin, so they smooth out wrinkles and lines and restore lost volume on certain parts of your face.
The dermatologist will inject the fillers on your under-eye creases or upper lids to tighten the skin around your eyes.If you’re anxious about getting an injection so close to your eye, you can inform the doctor beforehand that you want anaesthesia so that you’ll be unconscious for the procedure. This isn’t necessary, though, since most patients report only minimal pain.
The effects of the fillers are visible immediately after the procedure, but you’ll be able to see the changes more after the swelling and bruising subside.
Note that the effect of dermal fillers isn’t permanent. It can last between six months to two years, depending on how fast your body breaks down the injectable. Additionally, they don’t address severe sagginess. You’ll see better results if you get a Botox or facelift instead.
3. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels dissolve the topmost layer of your skin to reveal the smoother layer underneath. This procedure effectively reduces the appearance of not just wrinkles but large pores as well. The peeling of your skin also helps stimulate the production of new collagen, which delivers some skin-tightening effects.
Your dermatologist will assess the skin under your eyes to determine whether you need a light, medium or deep chemical peel. A deep chemical peel is best suited for more pronounced wrinkles and lines, but it uses very strong chemicals,so you may need a local anaesthetic for the procedure.
The recovery period varies for each type of peel. The deeper the chemical peel is, the longer the time your skin will need to heal, although the swelling generally subsides after 14 days.
The best thing about chemical peels is that they improve your overall complexion, unlike the two aforementioned procedures that focus only on skin tightening. A chemical peel improves the appearance of mild scars and fine lines, evens out hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and makes your skin smoother and softer.
Additionally, the effects of a deep chemical peel can last up to 10 years, so you won’t need to get repeated treatments.
4. Eye Bag Surgery
Non-invasive cosmetic procedures can’t address severe skin laxity, so surgery is the best solution for those with severely saggy skin under their eyes. Lower eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty removes the excess fat and tissue around the eyes to tighten the skin on this area.
Sometimes, the dermatologist suggests supplementing eyelid surgery with another procedure to improve the results. A brow lift is a common option since it opens up the eyes, giving you a more youthful appearance.
As with other kinds of surgery, blepharoplasty comes with risks, including infection, wounds that won’t heal well, asymmetry and obvious scarring. Make sure you work with a qualified and experienced surgeon to minimise the risks of the surgery.
Recovery from eyelid surgery usually takes 10 to 14 days. The doctor will prescribe eye drops, ointments and maybe painkillers to prevent infections and ease the pain.
Wrap-up
Talk to a doctor first before undergoing any cosmetic procedure. They’ll recommend the best course of action for the results you want to achieve while considering your health. Additionally, you want to ensure the doctor is experienced, board-certified, and licensed to ensure your safety.
If you want to learn more about cosmetic procedures, Alma Lasers is here to guide you. We’re a global innovator of laser, light-based and radio-frequency aesthetic solutions, making cosmetic treatments easier and more convenient than ever.
Fill out our online form for questions about our eyelid skin tightening procedures.
