When it comes to ageing, our eye area faces the brunt of it. Fine lines, crows feet, pigmentation, dark circles and sagging are just some of the symptoms we face as we get older and we will do almost anything to get rid of them.
We tracked down internationally reknown expert Dr Wendy Lee to seek her advice on this wrinkly issue…
Dr Wendy Lee is an expert in all things eye related; she specialises in a wide variety of surgical procedures involving the eye area, with a special interest in aesthetic surgery, including Botox treatments, dermal fillers, and photorejuvenation.
Rescu. unlocks the eyes anti-ageing secrets with Dr. Wendy Lee.
RESCU: Why does the skin around the eye area seem to age faster than other areas?
Dr. Wendy Lee: Factors contributing to early ageing around the eyes include: the thinness of the skin, less collagen, elastin and moisture, constant contraction of the muscles surrounding the eyes, genetics and other environmental factors, such as sun exposure, alcohol, smoking, diet, etc.
RESCU: What steps can be taken to care for this sensitive area?
Dr. Wendy Lee: Moisture, antioxidants and sunscreens and sunglasses, moderation when it comes to lifestyle choices.
If damage has already occurred, one can use botulinum toxins, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing or surgery to address ageing changes in the eye area.
RESCU: Why are specific eye products required, is it possible to forgo these and use your daycream and nightcream in place?
Dr. Wendy Lee: Specific eye creams are recommended for the eye area because they are designed specially for this delicate and unique skin. As well, an eye cream should be ophthalmologist tested to ensure that there will be no ocular irritation from the cream.
RESCU: What trends are you seeing when it comes to cosmetic surgery in this area? At what point is it best to consider this route?
Dr. Wendy Lee: The most popular cosmetic surgery on the face is a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift). People will consider this surgery at different ages. It becomes a personal decision and can be cosmetic or functional (if the excess skin interferes with vision).
RESCU: Are there any other non-invasive options available?
Dr. Wendy Lee: The most popular non-surgical aesthetic enhancement for the eye area is botulinum toxin, most of which is done around the eye area: crows feet and between the brows. Following right behind the toxins are dermal fillers, which are being used commonly around the eye area: tear trough and lateral brow. Laser skin resurfacing is commonly used on the face, but is more recently applied to the lids to thicken the tissues and decrease fine wrinkling. Topicals (creams and serums) are great as both a supplement to the above procedures and as a stand-alone product.
RESCU: Can you use an SPF around the eyes? If so, would you take the product up to the lashes?
Dr. Wendy Lee: You can use an SPF around the eyes if it is ophthalmologist tested. If so, you can use it near the lashes. The uniqueness of Prevage Eye Moisturising cream with SPF is that the SPF is encapsulated so that it stays where you apply it without running into unwanted areas.
RESCU: What causes dark circles under the eyes? How exactly do eye creams work to eliminate dark circles?
Dr. Wendy Lee: Dark circles are multifactorial: thin skin that shows blood byproducts beneath, contour defects, and genetics. Different eye creams target different components of dark circles: some have bleaching agents to address the pigmentation, some absorb blood byproducts, some work to thicken and moisturize the skin.
Dr. Wendy Lee Recommends…
PREVAGE Eye, Ultra Protection Anti-Age SPF 15+. RRP $98
PREVAGE Eye, Advanced Anti-Ageing Serum. RRP $98
Available at Myer, David Jones and selected pharmacies nationally.
