How to Get Younger Looking Eyes

By Sondra Forsyth

Your eyes are the windows to your age. In fact, studies have shown that when strangers are asked to judge how old a person is, the eye area is one of the biggest influences. The delicate skin around our eyes is usually the first place to get noticeable fine lines, wrinkles, and even brown discoloration. The causes are exposure to sun and pollution, stress, and late nights. Here are some doable tips from Houston Oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Mirwat Sami to keep the skin around your eyes protected and combat premature-aging.

Healthy Eye Foods-Healthy Diet Foods high in Vitamin C like strawberries, oranges, and leafy greens protect against wrinkles and dry skin, as well as cataracts and macular degeneration. Antioxidants like those found in green tea and berries are needed to fight inflammation and protect against pollutants and aging. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, flax seeds and walnuts help both your skin and eyes by regulating the fluid in your body.

Be preventative-  Botox and fillers can dramatically improve the appearance of the eye area without surgery. “If a patient has a volume loss or tear trough (deep groove) under the eyelids, we inject fillers such as Juvéderm or Restylane,” says Dr. Sami. Dr. Sami adds,  “This produces volume to the area and provides support and lift to smooth out lines and wrinkles. Using injectables can also help slow down the development of additional lines and wrinkles by reducing muscle movement. The cost depends on amount injected and number of injection sites.”

No Injection Cosmetic Procedures- There are a variety of laser treatments available that allow skincare professionals to target certain areas and treat certain conditions. Dr. Sami explains that, “Resurfacing lasers, like Fractionated Erbium or CO2 can dramatically tighten up the skin around the eyes with two to seven days of downtime, depending on the strength of laser. “Mircrodermabrasion and chemical peels should not be performed around the eyes due to the sensitivity of the area and delicacy of the skin,” says Dr. Sami.

Don’t use eyeliner and mascara on lower lash line- Eyeliner can make eyes look smaller and tired if used incorrectly. “Mascara on the bottom lashes highlights crow’s feet and dark circles,” says Dr. Sami. Plus, eyes look naturally brighter when left bare along the bottom lash line. Use eyeliner to draw a thin line along the upper lash line, making the line thicker as you near the outer corner of the eye for a subtle cat eye. Resist the urge and leave bottom lashes bare.

The Surgical Route- Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids. Surgery can be performed on either the upper and lower lids, or both.

Whether you want to improve your appearance or are experiencing functional problems with your eyelids, eyelid surgery can rejuvenate the area surrounding your eyes.

Specifically, eyelid surgery can treat:

·         Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision

·         Excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids

·         Bags under the eyes

·         Drooping lower eyelids that reveal white below the iris

·         Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid

Protect yourself from the Sun- Make sure to apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses. Even when it’s not hot outside, UV rays can cause lasting damage. In addition, sunglasses will protect you from excessive squinting in the bright light.

Eye Cream- Using a moisturizing eye cream is essential to staying clear of wrinkles and crow’s feet. Dry skin can lead to cracks, wrinkles and bags. Dr. Sami says to, “Be sure to choose an eye cream with SPF to keep the delicate skin surrounding the eye in tip-top shape all year round. In addition, retinol helps to combat wrinkles and keep crow’s feet at bay by boosting collagen. However, it is best to use an eye cream containing retinol at night because UV exposure can break down this potent ingredient.”

Removing Eye Makeup- It is important to be gentle when removing eye makeup. The skin surrounding your eyes is very delicate and rubbing off eye makeup can worsen crow’s feet over time. Instead of rubbing your eyes to remove eye makeup, press down with a cotton pad containing eye makeup remover.

Eating too much salt-  is another don’t. Under eye bags are intensified when you have a diet that is high in sodium. To reduce puffiness and swelling, skip the cucumbers and use slices of raw potatoes. The vegetable contains a protein that also brightens skin.

Over plucking your eyebrows– hairs become thinner as you get older, so over-plucking your brows will only do more harm. Dr. Sami suggests,  “using tweezers or tiny scissors to clean up the arch and this will help open up the eyes.”

Dr. Mirwat Sami is one of a handful of physicians across the country uniquely qualified to treat both medical and cosmetic problems of the face around the eyes. Her specialized training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery help Dr. Sami provide her patients with unique and individualized treatment for their facial concerns.

After graduating at the top of her class in medical school, Dr. Sami underwent extensive specialized training in ophthalmology and ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, first at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and then at Plastic Eye Surgery Associates, Houston, Texas. During her training at Memorial Hermann Hospital, one of the busiest trauma centers of the nation, she was intricately involved in the surgical reconstruction of complex facial trauma and burn victims. Please visit www.houstonoculofacial.com.