Top Tips to Tighten Skin Under Eyes- Because Your Eyes Are Priceless!

 A few years back, I remember my mother having saggy and dark skin under her eyes. When we consulted the skin expert, she told us this is a common problem and is widespread across the globe. I feel it might look very demoralizing at times, and you might feel exhausted just because you look so; even when you are well-rested.

Since then, I’ve also become very aware of it. In fact, I regularly take care of the skin under my eyes.

Actually, There Are Various Causes of Under Eyes Skin Issues

To actually point out to one cause is a kind of challenging task. Fundamentally, we all know that as we age our skin tends to lose elasticity which in turn makes it saggy. So, the skin under the eye is also a victim of the same problem where the tissue in the cheek area becomes plump, and the soft tissue decreases plus the orbital septum becomes weak.

But this looks more like the root cause, meaning there are other reasons like genetics.

So we see some people tend to have dark circles or under-eye bags at young ages and even when they take a lot of care of their eyes. This is because it has been in their genes.

Another factor that creates a huge difference is our lifestyle and what choices we make; for example, people who smoke a lot, consume a lot of alcohol, and eat junk food or nothing close to a good and nutritious diet tend to have worse skin, and their skin sags more than usual. This happens because the consumption of all this trash in the body affects collagen production and the elastin fibers in your skin.

Where you live and how you travel every day also make a lot of difference, if you’re exposed to an environment full of pollution or other toxins, and it leads to more hollowed-out eyes.

There are some other factors that do not seem big but eventually do affect the skin, like not being properly hydrated. When you have a lot of UV exposure it also affects your skin badly.

Due to deteriorating skin conditions, the skin under your eyes becomes a little wrinkled too. It makes you look more exhausted like you are not well-rested. It might even make you look older than your age due to the darkness in the tear trough.

Our team interviewed Shlomo Widder, MD, President of Widder Plastic Surgery Center on this. Since he is a plastic surgeon, he deals with such issues. Here is what he had to say:

“With over 30 years of practice in plastic surgery, particularly focusing on facial rejuvenation, including the delicate area around the eyes, I’ve seen the impact of both lifestyle choices and medical interventions on the skin’s condition. 

Practical measures for maintaining vibrant skin around the eyes include ensuring sufficient sleep, proper hydration, and a diet rich in antioxidants, which support skin health.

Additionally, protecting the area from sun exposure with a broad-spectrum sunscreen is crucial because of the thinness and sensitivity of the skin in this area.

Regarding the efficacy and safety of cosmetic and medical treatments for tightening under-eye skin, I’ve found a combination approach often yields the best results.

Dermal fillers, for example, can restore lost volume, effectively reducing the appearance of dark circles and fine lines by supporting the skin’s structure from beneath.

This minimally invasive procedure has demonstrated reliable results in my practice, with a favorable safety profile when performed by an experienced practitioner. 

On the other hand, more invasive procedures like blepharoplasty, which involves the removal or repositioning of fat and excess skin, can provide more dramatic and longer-lasting results for appropriate candidates.

This surgical option, while requiring a more significant recovery period, addresses concerns such as droopy eyelids and prominent under-eye bags with precision.

Each treatment has its place, and the choice largely depends on the individual’s concerns, anatomy, and desired outcome.

I always emphasize the importance of a thorough consultation to discuss goals, review medical history, and carefully analyze the unique features of one’s facial structure.

By tailoring the approach to each person, we can achieve outcomes that not only enhance appearance but also ensure the highest levels of safety and satisfaction.”

Preventing Saggy Skin under the Eyes

 It obviously becomes very devastating when we have saggy skin under our eyes. Do you know I also follow some basic tips to keep my eyes glowing, bright, and taut so that I look energized and youthful? Here they are-

• Starting with the most basic necessity, I always try to get a good sleep of 7-9 hours so that I wake up well-rested and prevent any puffiness under the eyes.
• I always wear sun protection, literally always.
• Sun rays are a really bad exposure, So, I ensure to wear sunglasses to prevent the rays from directly hitting my eyes when I step out in the sun.

• Always keep yourself hydrated, this leads to glowing and plump skin. I try to at least intake 10 glasses of water every day.
• In your food intake, I tey to include green vegetables and colored fruits. They have the required nutrients and antioxidants that will make our skin more healthy and firm.
• I don’t consume caffeine, alcohol, and other such things as these lead to further dehydration.

Moreover, in an interview with the Icy Whiz team, David Hill, MD, Plastic Surgeon and Medical Director at Fulcrum Aesthetics & Surgery, suggested prioritizing preventive lifestyle and selective interventions to treat under-eye skin issues. Here is what he said:

“To maintain youthful skin around the eyes, prioritize hydration, a vitamin-rich diet, ample sleep, and sun protection.

Cosmetic interventions range from topical treatments like retinol for minor improvements to minimally invasive procedures like micro-needling or laser therapy for skin resurfacing and collagen stimulation. 

Fillers offer immediate volume restoration for hollowing, while blepharoplasty provides a permanent solution to hooding or eye bags by removing excess skin and fat.

Each treatment varies in effectiveness and safety, requiring a personalized approach that aligns with an individual’s aesthetic goals and recovery preferences.

Optimal care combines preventive lifestyle measures with carefully selected interventions to enhance and preserve the eye area’s delicate beauty.”

I Want to Suggest to You the Top Strategies to Tighten Skin Under the Eyes

1. Using Cucumbers

Cucumbers are really the best things for your eyes, they help when your eyes are drying out and tighten the pores of the skin, and when used on swollen eyes, it has a very soothing effect.

They have a super calming effect and the juices lighten the skin and make it firm, meaning that the puffiness reduces and so does the fatigue.

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is very useful in tightening the skin under the eyes and is usually manufactured as L-Ascorbic Acid. Many eye lotions have this to achieve the skin tightening effect. This is because it helps in collagen synthesis and prevents its breakdown.

Sometimes these vitamin C creams/lotions also contain hyaluronic acid to help in moisturizing.

3. Camomile Tea

Camomile tea is literally magic for your skin it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects helps to reduce dark circles and scars, plus makes your skin tight.

Camomile leads to constriction of vessels, which leads to limited blood flow around your eyes. Using camomile tea reduces puffiness and swollen eyes.

4. Retinoids

Retinoids are useful to make your under-eye skin tight as they promote collagen synthesis and delay the degradation of collagen fibers. They work as antioxidants that protect your skin from harmful molecules.

Usually, when they are in topical creams they have tretinoin or vitamin A also. Small concentrations of retinoid-containing creams can be brought over-the-counter but for higher concentrations, you will need a doctor’s prescription.

5. Fillers

The most popular surgical method to make your skin under the eyes tight is fillers. In this process, you inject hyaluronic acid into the skin under your eyes to help it retain moisture and make it plump which in return reduces the saggy appearance.

This is a very effective method and results appear very quickly.

Procedure time is very small and it stays for over 6-12 months depending upon the type of filler you get injected. It is similar to mesotherapy, in which the injecting material can be a little different.

6. Neurotoxin Injections

A popular non-surgical method to make your under-eye skin tight is injecting Botulinum Type A which is extracted from Clostridium Botulinum. It is a protein that stops the electrical impulses that lead to the contraction of facial muscles. The end result is reduced wrinkles and softened expressions.

The Icy Whiz team interviewed Dr. James Hook, a wellness professional and MD at Neurogan Health, and talked about lifestyle factors and under-eye skin issues relationship. Here is what he said:

“Having under-eye skin concerns shouldn’t cause unnecessary stress, as there are various approaches to address the situation. One effective strategy is to implement preventive measures before encountering any challenges.

As a wellness expert, I recommend taking care of your skin daily by employing various ways to maintain the health of your skin.

To keep your skin looking young and healthy, avoid spending too much time in the sun.

The sun has three types of light: visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light, which you can’t see or feel, is the most harmful. Try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest.

Too much UV exposure can make your skin age faster.

The journey isn’t over if you notice your skin losing its vigor. One treatment option is collagen induction therapy, which stimulates collagen production in the body.

Using this treatment, hyaluronic acid is pumped deep into the skin to stimulate collagen formation. This treatment is typically safe when performed by a skilled and qualified practitioner.

As such, you avoid taking this treatment when you are not sure of the credentials of your practitioner.”

So, Are You Ready to Get Rid of Your Puffy Eyes?

Above I explained how we get puffy and swollen eyes, why we develop dark circles, and the factors that make it worse.

There are some regular lifestyle changes mentioned above to slow or prevent the process along with some home remedies. Surgical and non-surgical medical procedures are also available for the resolution.

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on May 12, 2024 by Pragya