eyes Are The WIndows to the soul

Eyes are an important feature and some people may say eyes are to be the most attractive feature on a person's face. According to a study published in the journal Evolution of Human Behavior, both men and women viewed the eyes as the most important facial feature. The study showed the other highly rated facial features included attractive hair and lips, while the nose was reported as one of the least important features. Aging around the eyes does occur with time, and it is well known to be an area that ages first. 

With every giggle, grin, and even grimace, the skin around the eyes are in fact affected. As we enter our late 30s’ and early 40s’, decades of using these delicate muscles that control the features surrounding our eyes cause these muscles to lose strength.

There are many issues associated with the skin around the eyes. Some of these problems include ptosis (drooping of the eyelids), fine lines, under eye bags, and dark pigmented under eye circles. You may have noticed that the skin around your eyes is more sensitive compared to the rest of the face. The skin around the eyes is much thinner, making it more vulnerable to developing wrinkles, dark circles, and drooping the eyelids. As we age, particularly with excessive sun exposure, the skin around the lids begin to lose this collagen and the skin starts to stretch. Collagen loss around the eyes may even result in the veins showing up more prominently, giving a darker pigmented skin appearance. The skin in this area also fills with fluid easier which can give a “puffy” and fatigued look. 

Adults get ptosis or eye drooping when the levator muscle stretches or separates away from their eyelid. To put it simply, it is when the upper eyelid droops over the eye. Though there are some non-surgical treatments available such as dermal filler, botox, and laser treatments to help with the elasticity, depending on the severity, it may be time to consult with a surgeon. If the droopy eyelid is blocking or limiting vision, eyelid surgery may even be required. 

Eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure where the surgeon will tighten the levator muscles to lift the eyelids. This improves both vision, and the appearance of the eyelid. Cosmetic ptosis repair is usually performed to give an extra lift to the eyelid so that eyes appear less tired and more vibrant.  It is a type of eyelid surgery that is used to help open the eye and greatly improves appearance. 

Just like any surgical or nonsurgical procedure, it is recommended to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to explore your options when it comes to treating aging around the eyes. The eyes are a unique feature and have a large impact on one's image. Fortunately, there are well-loved procedures that have a manageable recovery time and create a more lively look.