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Under Eye Wrinkles: Possible Causes & How to Get Rid of Them

Tagged: Facial Treatments

Date: 14th February 2024

Medically Reviewed by:  Mr. Bryan Mayou (GMC: 1414396)

Last reviewed: 14th February 2024

Wrinkles around the eyes are incredibly common and most people will develop them during their lifetime as they age. They are completely harmless, but it’s understandable that people find can them undesirable and want them to disappear. Luckily, there are a range of ways to remove wrinkles under eyes and we discuss them below. 

What Are Wrinkles Under the Eyes?

There are three types of under eye wrinkles:

  • Dynamic wrinkles. 
  • Static wrinkles. 
  • Wrinkle folds. 

Anyone can get any combination of these under eye wrinkles and they can be more pronounced depending on genetics, collagen levels in your skin, and your lifestyle choices. Dynamic wrinkles are the most common occurrence and most people will get these as a result of ageing and these can eventually turn into static wrinkles around eyes. 

Dynamic Wrinkles

Dynamic wrinkles by the eyes are a result of repeated muscle contraction and relaxation. This repetitive process over time causes lines to form as the skin is pushed together through actions like smiling, talking, and furrowing our brows.

Static Wrinkles

Static wrinkles are a result of skin damage, which can occur as a result of various processes, including an unbalanced diet, prolonged UV exposure, and smoking. Because of the damage, static wrinkles become ingrained and are always visible regardless of our facial expressions.

Wrinkle Folds

As we get older out skin loses its elasticity and becomes thinner which means it doesn’t retain its tightness and shape. This results in wrinkle folds where the skin has simply sagged and doesn’t have the elasticity to “bounce back”, and this commonly occurs underneath the eyes. 

What Causes Wrinkles Under the Eyes?

Under eye wrinkles are a result of our skin losing its ability to create collagen at the dermis layer – it is estimated we lose approximately 1% collagen production per year. Collagen is vital for supporting our facial structure and keeping our skin looking youthful – as levels deplete, wrinkles around eyes can appear due to depression because of that lack of collagen.

The skin beneath our eyes is affected particularly because it is much thinner compared to other areas of our face and is thus more susceptible to deformation, sagging, and wrinkling. This is a natural ageing process of our faces, but it can also be accelerated by things like an unbalanced diet, smoking, and over-exposure to the sun. 

How to Remove Wrinkles Under Eyes?

Although under eye wrinkles are a part of natural aging, that doesn’t mean we have to be content with their appearance. Luckily, it is possible to remove wrinkles under the eyes via a combination of lifestyle changes, non-invasive treatments, and surgical procedures, which we explain below. 

Can Lifestyle Changes Get Rid of Wrinkles Under the Eyes?

When looking at how to remove wrinkles under the eyes, we can start with lifestyle changes, as these are things everyone can attempt and are completely free. Things you can do to slow the appearance of wrinkles around eyes include:

  • Adequate sun protection when outdoors. 
  • Regular exercise. 
  • Eating a healthy diet with a balance of nutrients and minerals. 
  • Quitting smoking. 
  • Reducing alcohol consumption.

As mentioned above, sun damage can cause static wrinkles so when the weather gets hot, we advise wearing suncream when outdoors. Factor 30 SPF should be the minimum, but consider if you have a fair complexion too, in which case a stronger factor is advised.

Next, with your skin protected from the sun, take a look at your diet and exercise regime. Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and leading an active lifestyle where possible will help.  

You will keep your skin healthy and reduce visible skin damage such as under eye wrinkles. Staying hydrated with plenty of water intake also helps fight against wrinkles around eyes.

Lastly, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can damage our skin through dehydration. If you can quit smoking and reduce your daily alcohol intake you will not only feel better in yourself, but your skin will shine.

These are things you should aim to do regardless of your intention to use non-invasive or surgical treatment for wrinkles around the eyes. With a healthier, more conscious lifestyle, any further treatments you have should then only yield better end results too. 

How Can Non Invasive Treatments Get Rid of Wrinkles Under the Eyes?

We understand that not everyone wants to consider surgery as a cure for under eye wrinkles, but there are a range of non-invasive treatments that are highly effective at removing fine lines around eyes. These include anti-ageing injectables, dermal fillers, and chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, and radiofrequency skin tightening.

Anti-Ageing Injectables

Anti-ageing injectables are one of the most common non-invasive treatments and sessions typically take just 30 minutes. During your consultation, several tiny injections are performed in the areas of concern. Your skin is injected with muscle relaxants that relax the muscles around your eyes which in turn smooths out wrinkles.

The benefit of this procedure is the time-friendly nature – you can be in and out within 30 minutes and there is no recovery time. However, the downside compared to surgery is that the treatment is not permanent and has to be repeated every 3-6 months depending on how quickly your body breaks down the relaxing agents.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are another effective treatment for wrinkles around eyes and are another type of injectable treatment. These work by injecting hyaluronic acid into the areas of concern.  

This is a substance found naturally in your skin and it works to combat signs of aging including under eye wrinkles and other ageing lines. The fillers work by adding that missing volume back into your skin that has been lost due to depleted collagen levels from ageing.

Like anti-ageing injectables, dermal fillers for eye wrinkles are not permanent and you will have to return for repeat treatments. However, they present a more affordable, hassle-free solution before considering a surgical procedure.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels are a simple process and are similar to exfoliating. The treatment involves using a mildly acidic solution to remove the outer layer of skin around the areas of concern. This removes the top layer of old, dead skin and prompts new cell growth and rejuvenation. The effect is to reduce wrinkles under the eyes while improving skin texture.

Phenol peels and Glycolic acid peels are two common variants. This is another non-temporary solution but it’s great for treating things like under eye wrinkles as a result of sun damage.

Micro-needling

Micro-needling is a type of skin therapy that involves using a Derma Pen to make tiny punctures in your skin to encourage repairs and stimulate the growth of collagen when in turn help reduce wrinkles under your eyes. This treatment can cause a little discomfort but has less downtime compared to surgery and is generally considered a more effective method than chemical peels. 


Are Surgical the Best Treatments to Get Rid of Wrinkles Under the Eyes?

For more pronounced, deeper wrinkles under eyes, or if you don’t want to hassle of repeat treatments, there are a range of highly effective surgical options.

These are usually considered the best eye wrinkle treatment options due to their longer-lasting effects. The benefits of surgery are the “one-off” aspect, and the more permanent results but you have to consider the recovery period and the higher cost.

Brow Lift

A drooping or sagging brow can inadvertently cause under eye wrinkles and this is something a brow lift can correct. The exact technique varies from patient to patient, but the general procedure involves removing excess skin around the brow then tightening and redraping the remaining skin to form a structured brow with no sagging.

Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is effectively removing excess skin and fat from your eyelids that causes wrinkles, eye bags, and droopy eyelids. The surgery typically takes between 1-2 hours, can be completed as a day case, and results in around 1 week off of work with a full recovery taking around 2 weeks.

Fat to Face Transfer

Facial fat grafting involves extracting fat from your body, processing it, and injecting it into the areas of concern, i.e. around your eyes. The fat helps give the skin around your eyes renewed vigour and volume that is lost through ageing. This, in turn, reduces wrinkles by the eyes.

Canthoplasty

Canthoplasty is a type of reconstructive surgery undertaken at the outer corners of your eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet. The aim is to reshape your eye and reduce the effect of sagging eyelids which often causes under eye wrinkles and bags too. 

Get The Right Solution for Wrinkles by the Eyes Today

When looking at how to get rid of under eye wrinkles, the first step is to make the necessary lifestyle changes to give your skin a fighting chance. Anyone can make these changes and you will improve your general health and wellbeing in the process.

After that, for minor cases, non-invasive treatments like dermal fillers, chemical peels, and anti-ageing injections offer no-fuss, affordable options for those with busy lifestyles who can’t commit to surgery.

For more developed cases, or for those who are ready to commit to something more long-lasting, surgery is the best cure for under eye wrinkles. Procedures like brow lifts, fat to face transfers, and canthoplasty all offer permanent solutions and the best end results. 

Frequently Asked Questions

With non-invasive treatments and surgeries yes. Naturally, you can improve your diet and lifestyle to improve the quality and look of your skin too. 

Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking can help reduce the appearance of under eye wrinkles but won’t make them disappear completely. 

Yes, there is a range of surgical options for more permanent solutions to wrinkles under eyes including brow lifts, blepharoplasty, and fat transfer to face procedures. 


Words From Our Founder

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Under-Eye Wrinkles can have many causes, incuding ageing, genetics, and lifestyle factors. Blepharoplasty can lift and smooth the eye area, while non-surgical treatments like Plasma therapy, injectables, and Morpheus8 offer targeted wrinkle treatments. By combining these techniques, we can tackle both volume loss and skin laxity, reducing the appearance of wrinkles under the eyes. Depending on the severity of the wrinkles and the preferences of each patient, our surgeons are able to offer a range of options which create a brighter more open eye area.
Mr. Bryan Mayou

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