Eye treatments are having a big moment this year with the emphasis on tightening eyelids, reducing bags and rejuvenating the delicate skin around the eyes, so here’s how to put the sparkle back.
The Hitch Lift
Threads have commonly been used to hoist the sides of the face, but now a new technique using a surgical string, that’s fully absorbable, can lift the brow and tighten baggy eyelids. The 30-minute procedure, dubbed The Hitch Lift, involves having small threads inserted under the skin to lift and tighten baggy eyes. It is carried out with local anesthetic and results are immediate with around a week’s downtime as there may be a little swelling or bruising around the injection site. Results are expected to last around 18months
Dark Circle Diminisher
It might not be wrinkles or grey hair that ages you most, but dark circles under your eyes. Dark circles are one of the most common skin problems, and are often caused by tiny capillaries that leak blood beneath the surface of the skin.
As this blood starts to oxidize, it turns a darkish dark blue colour similar to a bruise. Most of us have these, but a new treatment called PRP Plus Therapy can help fade and improve skin tone and dramatically lighten dark circles.
The treatment involves having blood drawn from the arm, which is then spun in a centrifuge to separate out the platelets and then mixed with a new form of hyaluronic acid, called Xela Rederm. This is injected into the areas around the eye to lift, smooth and stimulate the regeneration of skin cells and new collagen. A course of three treatments, two weeks apart recommended. Results are natural with no downtime. Results last 6-12 months when one top up is required.
Plumping Hollow Eyes
Most women think treating ageing eyes is all about erasing lines and wrinkles but a loss of volume under the eyes, through collagen loss can add years to your appearance and give the face a sunken look. This hollow effect is often called tear trough deformity – because the hollows are deep enough for tears to collect in – and rejuvenating this area can make you look instantly younger.
A local anesthetic cream is applied under the eyes and the hollows are injected with hyaluronic acid dermal filler called Restylane Vital Light, which can immediately plump and thicken the delicate skin under the eye. It also hydrates the area as the filler draws water into the deeper layers of the dermis. However, this is a tricky area to treat so do go to an experienced practitioner. Results will last up to one year. Expect some swelling and bruising for a few days, which can be disguised with a concealer.
Tips:
- Eye bags are partly down to genes and get worse with age. Hit 45 and they seem to magically appear. They can also be due to an allergy, a sinus problem, or just a heavy night. You can shrink bags in a few minutes by wrapping an ice cube in cling film and gently rubbing over puffy skin.
- If you are prone to them try sleeping with an extra pillow.
- Look for an eye cream with ingredients like retinol, Coenzyme Q10 and peptides, proteins that also stimulate collagen growth.
- Red, itchy, and watery eyes are a common bugbear but over the counter antihistamines will help or you could try a nasal spray.
- Another good tip is to smear a little Vaseline or lip balm under the nose which can help stop pollen entering the nasal passageways
- To conceal redness and broken veins on the upper eyelid, use an eye primer – try Bare Minerals Prime Time Brightening Primer (£16.50 Debenhams) which has a lightweight sheer tint so looks just as good worn on its own.
- New research has found that a diet high in omega-3 fats can help with the symptoms of dry eyes. Oily fish, such as mackerel, sardines, salmon, or fresh tuna are one of the best sources of omega-3 as well as walnuts, spinach and kale.
