Your eyes rest in the periorbital hollow, which consists of a very thin and gentle layer of the skin. The fragility of the skin in this area makes it highly susceptible to wrinkles and fine lines. So, what causes the lines under the eyes and how can they be treated or prevented? This article answers this and other related queries.
4 Causes of Lines Under Eyes
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As you age, your skin will lose some of its elasticity. But the skin around your eyes is usually the first one to develop these aging signs due to its fragility. Aside from being fragile, there are several other causes of lines under your eyes.
1. UV Radiation
After prolonged exposure to the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, your skin’s collagen breaks down, causing the skin to sag. Collagen is a type of protein found in the skin tissue and it’s responsible for holding your facial structure in place for a long time. So, when this protein is broken down by UV rays, the skin around your eyes will start developing lines.
2. Smoking
Smoking puts your skin under undue oxidative stress which damages its collagen and elastin, resulting in wrinkles and leathery skin. It also tightens your blood vessels, preventing free circulation of blood in your face. This leaves your skin deprived of vital vitamin A.
3. Facial Movements and Expressions
Every day, you use your facial muscles to perform different facial expressions and movements, including frowning, smiling, laughing, and furrowing your eyebrows. These actions lead to the appearance of permanent lines on your face. Your sleeping habit also contributes to the development of facial lines and wrinkles.
For instance, if certain facial muscles are always pushed against the pillow, your facial skin might lose its ability to bounce back to its original spot as you age. Since the skin around your eyes is the weakest, it will be the first one to develop these lines.
4. Environmental Factors
Many environmental factors contribute greatly to the development of facial wrinkles and lines, especially under your eyes. These factors include dry weather, strong winds, pollution, among others.
Different Types of Lines Under Eyes
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Many people have lines and wrinkles under their eyes. While these lines are harmless and part of your natural aging process, they can make you look older than your actual age. There are different types of lines under the eyes. Knowing which type of lines you have will help you find the most effective treatment and prevention options.
1. Dynamic Wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkles under your eyes occur due to repeated facial movements and expressions that cause contraction of the muscles under your eyes. They become more profound when you are smiling or perform other facial movements that use the muscles under your eyes. These lines usually appear between your eyebrows and forehead. A good example of dynamic wrinkles is the condition referred to as crow’s feet.
2. Static Wrinkles
Static wrinkles under your eyes remain visible throughout even when your facial muscles are relaxed. They are usually caused by skin damage. Static wrinkles usually start as dynamic wrinkles and become permanent over time. These wrinkles are also caused by prolonged exposure to the sun, poor diet, and smoking.
3. Wrinkle Folds
Wrinkle folds are normally related to age. As you grow old, your facial skin will lose its elasticity and begin to sag, resulting in wrinkles and lines under your eyes and other parts of your face. This also causes wrinkles in the grooves between your nose and mouth.
How to Get Rid of Lines Under Eyes
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Many different treatments have proved to be effective in getting rid of lines under the eyes. These treatment options consist of home remedies and medications.
Home Remedies for Lines Under Your Eyes
Many people with lines under their eyes prefer to use home remedies because they are safe and easily accessible. Thankfully, numerous home remedies can help you get rid of lines under the eyes.
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Cucumbers
Cucumbers have very high moisture content which makes them ideal for moisturizing the skin underneath your eyes. Their cooling effect will also give your skin a refreshed appearance and feel. Since cucumbers are also rich in vitamin C and folic acid, they will wake your skin up by stimulating the growth of new cells.
Folic acid is known to stimulate antioxidants, enabling your skin to resist environmental pollutants that cause puffy and tired eyes.
You need to chill your cucumbers in the fridge. Slice your cucumber and peel the skin off because it could have pesticides. Lie down on your back and place one slice of cucumber over each eye. Let the two slices sit on your skin for about 15 minutes to allow the cucumber acids to soak into your skin.
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Banana Facemask
Bananas are very rich in potassium and fiber. But apart from dietary benefits, bananas offer many other benefits. For instance, banana masks have shown to be very effective in improving skin quality and dealing with different dermatologic issues.
Also, a banana face mask can help you to increase collagen in your skin through silica, thus minimizing the appearance of lines under your eyes. Bananas are also very rich in antioxidants that will protect the skin under your eyes against free radicals.
To make a banana face mask, you need to mash several ripe bananas until you have a thick paste. You can also improve the effects of your banana paste by adding other ingredients, such as honey, clay, lemon juice, avocado, turmeric powder, or yogurt. Once your banana paste is ready, pull your hair back and smear the paste on your face. Make sure your face is clean and dry before you apply the paste.
Leave the face mask on for about 15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. pat your face with a dry towel and then apply a moisturizer. Repeat this procedure twice or thrice a week to get the desired result.
Cosmetic Products
Many anti-aging cosmetic products are now available in stores around the world. However, there’s a huge debate about the effectiveness of some of these products in removing wrinkles and lines under the eyes. Even the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) warns consumers against cosmetic products that promise them miraculous results.
If you want to use cosmetic products to treat the lines under your eyes, there are specific ingredients you need to look out for. For example, go for products with the following ingredients:
• Retinol
• Antioxidants
• Argan oil
• Broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen
• Alpha hydroxy acids
Even with all these ingredients, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), insists that you should keep your expectations realistic.
Cosmetic and Medical Treatment
Although home remedies and cosmetic products can help to get rid of lines under your eyes, they’re not as effective as cosmetic and medical option treatment options. Here are some of the most common cosmetic and medical treatments for lines under the eyes.
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Facial Rejuvenation
Facial rejuvenation involves the injection of a substance known as botulinum toxin (Botox) into your skin to stop your facial muscles from moving. This helps to reduce the development of lines and wrinkles when you make facial expressions. The effects of Botox last between 3 and 4 months.
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Facial Fillers
Also referred to as soft tissue fillers or dermal fillers, facial fillers are injected into your face to restore its natural fullness. Your doctor may choose to inject your face with either collagen or hyaluronic acid. The results of filler injections are normally immediate.
Prevention of Lines Under Your Eyes
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As mentioned above, wrinkles and fine lines under your eyes and other parts of your body are part of natural aging. So, you can expect to develop wrinkles at some point in your life no matter how healthy you are. But there are several steps that you can take to prevent the signs of aging. Here are some of the best ways to prevent lines under your eyes.
• Wearing sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 daily
• Moisturizing your skin every day
• Avoiding a tan
• Quitting smoking
• Eating a healthy diet
It’s important to remember that wrinkles and fine lines are inevitable as you grow old, and therefore most of the above remedies and prevention measures will provide you with modest improvements.
