In our five-part blog Anti-Aging Regimen series on “Tips for Youthful Eyes,” we’ve discussed the importance of taking care of the delicate skin in the area around your eyes. Since eye skin is one of the first places to show signs of aging, it’s paramount to take steps to minimize the loss of elasticity, change poor lifestyle habits and avoid environmental-based damages.
Since many want youthful looking eyes areas free of wrinkles, age spots, dark eyebags and fine lines, an anti-aging regimen should be discussed with a dermatologist. Preventive eye wrinkle treatments have become one of the most sought-after aspects of cosmetic procedures. However, preventative measures are not always enough to stop the signs of aging.
The skin surrounding the eye should be firm and wrinkle-free with an even skin tone, which represents a youthful face. However, wrinkles, dark circle, under eyebags and drooping eyelids are some of the biggest complaints in appearance.
Fortunately, simple lifestyle changes and cosmetic treatments such as laser procedures and dermal filler injections will assist to make your eyes look refreshed and radiant
AN ANTI-AGING REGIMEN FOR EYES
9: Eradicating Crow’s Feet & Glabellar Frown Lines: Dysport, Botox and Xenamin
Pharmaceutical injectables are minimally invasive cosmetic treatments to eradicate wrinkles and address facial sagging issues. Three formulations of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) are approved by the FDA for cosmetic use: Botox, Dysport and Xenamin. Botox, Dysport and Xenamin share the same active ingredient, botulinum toxin A, a neurotoxin that simply immobilizes the nerve’s messages and stops the muscle contraction from happening. Botulinum A blocks the nerves that cause unnecessary micro movements of the muscles, which stops the crow’s feet and glabellar frown lines from happening.
The nerves won’t lose their ability to contract muscles; instead it will just stop the face from making micro-movements. When micro-movements are made throughout the face, they begin to form fine lines and hard to treat deep wrinkles.
The first BTX-A was approved in 2002 with Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for cosmetic use, followed by Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) in 2009 and Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) in 2011.
All botulinum toxins inhibit the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter.
Refined to a nontoxin protein, Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are injected into the skin small doses. The BTX-A formulations prevent and eradicate wrinkles due to the inhibition of acetylcholine, which blocks the neurotransmission of muscle contraction. The temporary result is either weakening or paralyzing certain muscles.
BTX-A injections eradicate wrinkles and fine lines for approximately three to four months, smooth glabellar frown lines between the eyebrows and eliminate crow’s feet surrounding the eyes. Additionally, These injections are also becoming a popular anti-aging regimen to slow the appearance of wrinkles in the future.
Crow’s Feet
Crow’s feet are facial line and wrinkles on the outside of the eyes. They begin to form as creases from an array of facial expressions, such as smiling, laughing and squinting. Botox, Dysport or Xeomin is injected into specific areas of the orbicularis oculi muscles, which surround the eye area.
Glabellar Frown Lines
The area between brows and slightly above the eyes on the lower forehead is the glabella. Usually smooth, glabellar frown lines appear as vertical creases if the skin looses elasticity. They are also known as 11 lines or frown lines. These lines are due to the continued contraction of the corrugator muscles and procerus muscle. between the brows continuously contracting inward, while the contract down toward the nose.
BTX-A injections work to make glabellar muscles stay relaxed. Common facial expressions that form these lines include anger, concentration and squinting. and subdue over-expressions that cause deep wrinkles
Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injectables are paramount for minimally invasive and nonsurgical aesthetic facial treatments and as an anti-aging regimen.*
10: Eyebrow Lift: Dysport, Botox and Xenamin
Due to age, environmental damage and genetics, eyebrow arches flatten and lower over time. Facial expressions contract surrounding muscles. Botox, Dysport or Xeomin counteract the sagging by raising the eyebrows a few millimeters.
Additionally, patients can choose how much they want eyebrows raised and what shape they want their eyebrows, according to Dr. Sanusi Umar. Shape choices include a more arch, flared or horizontal brow style. Botox, Dysport or Xeomin is injected into the depressor muscles counteract the downward pull of the brow’s medial ends of the brows downward.
11. Latisse for Longer Eyelashes
Latisse is a prescription-only treatment that’s also a beneficial anti-aging regimen for more youthful eyes. A bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, it is used on eyelashes for hypotrichonis to grow longer, fuller and darker eyelashes. You should consult with the prescribing dermatologist for correct application procedures and also safety factors. You should only apply Latisse on the upper lid line and it must be applied with one of the included and new sterile applicators for each eye.
For the best efficacy, you need to apply the solution once daily and with consistent daily use. Full results occur at 16 weeks. Length may increase at four weeks, fullness and darkness at eight weeks.
Dr. Sanusi Umar is a board certified dermatologist and surgical dermatologist who is an expert in skin rejuvenation. He offers consultations at his clinic, FineTouch Dermatology, with a Redondo Beach and Beverly Hills office.