Wrinkles occur as the result of normal aging and environmental conditions. The area around your eyes can be one of the first places that you notice the gradual appearance of sagging and wrinkled skin. Fortunately, eye creams and medical treatments may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles under your eyes.

Prevention

Factors such as repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping with your face against your pillow, smoking and sun exposure can prematurely age your skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Minimizing these factors may enhance the benefits of eye treatments and help you avoid exposing the delicate skin of the eye area to additional premature damage.

Under-Eye Creams

The thin skin under your eyes produces very little of the protective oils that help to keep your skin feeling soft and supple. Eye creams and gels commonly contain ingredients that temporarily restrict the blood vessels in your skin, preventing the build-up of fluid. They may also contain emollients that hydrate the outer layer of your skin and help to firm the skin with an invisible film. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends applying under-eye creams with light tapping motion that stimulates your skin, rather than rubbing them in.

Laser Resurfacing

A laser resurfacing treatment may lessen the appearance of fine lines around your eyes, according to MayoClinic.com. This procedure uses an intense beam of light to destroy the outer layer of your skin and heat the underlying layer, stimulating the production of new collagen. After the resurfacing treatment, your skin may look and feel as if you have a sunburn. As your skin heals, new skin forms that appears tighter and smoother.

Botulinum Toxin

Commonly used to change the shape of eyebrows and soften the appearance of vertical lines around lips, botulinum toxin injections temporarily paralyze the muscles that are responsible for crow’s feet near the outer edges of your eye area.

Surgical Options

Cosmetic surgery targets areas of wrinkling and sagging by repositioning your facial tissues. A type of cosmetic surgery — lower blepharoplasty — removes excess skin and fat pads from your lower eyelids. Your cosmetic surgeon may recommend this procedure in conjunction with other types of cosmetic procedures, such as a brow lift or a face-lift.