What Causes Your Eyes to Look Old? The skin around your eyes has very little subcutaneous fat beneath it. Consequently, it’s one of the areas of your face that’s most susceptible to wrinkles and the other signs of aging. Squinting, frowning, raising your eyebrows and even laughing cause facial muscles to contract. The more facial muscles contract, the deeper and more fixed the lines around your eyes may become.
Additionally, as you get older, the collagen network that provides your skin with its structural integrity begins to break down, and you may begin to develop unattractive hollows around your eyes. Environmental and behavioral factors such as sunlight exposure, smoking or consuming a diet that’s high in processed sugar may expedite these effects.
Finally, your own genetic makeup plays an important role in the formation of crow’s feet and tear troughs. While all of us probably have at least one friend whose complexion remains fresh and dewy despite the number of candles on their birthday cake, most people may benefit from a little bit of help as the years pile up.
Table of Contents
What Is a Non-Surgical Eyelift?
You don’t have to subject yourself to a surgical procedure in order to help erase those wrinkles around your eyes. Dr. Joseph Russell, a board-certified plastic surgeon working in Charleston, South Carolina, offers far less invasive methods that may help you regain your youthful appearance.
Dr. Russell’s non-surgical eye lift procedures rely upon injectables like Botox, Restylane, and Juvederm to eradicate under-eye bags and unsightly lines. These injectables are fully approved by the FDA, and the entire procedure typically takes under an hour. These procedures are performed with topical anesthetics, and most clients report that there is very little discomfort or downtime associated with them.
Botox: Botox acts to relax the underlying musculature of your face, particularly in the area around your eyebrows. By moderating the activity of the corrugator and orbicularis oculi muscles that work to pull brows down, Botox can help the frontalis muscle, which pulls your brows up, function unopposed. The result? Your eyebrows will look like they just had a lift.
Restylane and Juvederm: Restylane and Juvederm are hyaluronic acid fillers that can be used to add volume to your face. Hyaluronic acid is a natural hydrating agent that’s found in practically all living organisms. Dr. Russell uses Restylane and Juvederm to eliminate tear troughs, which are the sources of those dark circles beneath the eyes. The adept use of hyaluronic acid fillers can go a long way toward helping to reverse that haggard appearance in the upper part of the face that so many people develop as they age.
Non-Surgical Eyelid lift Patient Photos
Non-Surgical Eyelid Lift Before and After Patient 1:
In the before photo, the patient exhibited pronounced upper eyelid hooding, noticeable crow’s feet, and prominent puffy lower eyelid bags with fine lines. In a personalized approach to rejuvenation, the upper eyelids received a non-surgical lift through precise Botox injections, effectively refreshing their appearance. Complementary facial fillers were strategically applied to smooth away the crow’s feet and wrinkles. In the ‘after’ photo, the transformation is remarkable, showcasing a significantly more youthful and rested appearance.
Are You a Candidate for a Non-Surgical Eye Lift?
Non-surgical eyelift procedures work well for patients in their 30s and 40s who are just beginning to notice the tell-tale signs of aging in the area around their eyes. If you’re 50 or older, or your eyelids are particularly heavy, you may achieve better results with a surgical eyelift.
When you visit Dr. Russell’s clinic for the first time, he will sit down with you to address your aesthetic goals as well as any questions or concerns you may have about the treatment. A thorough medical history will be taken to determine whether you’re an appropriate candidate for this treatment.
Does a Non-Surgical Eye Lift Procedure Hurt?
Most of Dr. Russell’s patients report that they experience little or no discomfort. Those who do experience discomfort describe the sensation as a momentary pinch rather than a sting.
Topical anesthetic creams and icepacks will be used to numb the area that will be injected. Sometimes your physician may inject a topical anesthetic. The administration of Botox is typically done with a 30-gauge needle that looks something like an acupuncture needle; thicker fillers may require needles with a slightly larger bore. Dr. Russell and his team are very practiced with this procedure, so their injection technique is extremely good.
Bruising with this procedure is rare although most patients develop some degree of swelling around the injection site. You should see the results you’re after within two weeks.
How Long Will My Non-Surgical Eyelift Last?
For most clients who choose Botox therapy, the effects of the medication will last between three and six months. The effects of Restylane will last longer, particularly if the dermal filler is injected into a part of your face like the tear troughs where there isn’t a lot of muscle movement.
By eliminating wrinkles, shaping contours and filling in the hollows around your eyes, a non-surgical eye lift has the potential to shave years off your appearance. Contact Dr. Joseph Russell’s office in Charleston today for more information about this procedure and to schedule your consultation.