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

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.