The undereye (periorbital) area is one of the first places to show signs of ageing, as the skin is thinner, more vascular, and more delicate than other areas on the face, showing signs of discoloration, puffiness, hollowness and wrinkles. Given the fragility of the skin around our eyes, is a topical eye cream ever really enough to rejuvenate this area?
Molecular Biologist and Founder of ABG Lab, Dr. Elina Tester says:
Topical eye creams have limitations: they cannot target genetics or change anatomy. For example, some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to developing dark under eye circles, which cannot be solely attributed to lifestyle factors such as lack of sleep. In cases where the cause is deeply rooted, it is unlikely that a topical cream alone will effectively address under eye concerns. Genetic discoloration is difficult to treat with an eye cream alone, and puffiness and dark circles caused by lifestyle factors require internal changes that cannot be achieved with eye creams alone.
The skin under our eyes lacks oil glands, unlike the rest of our skin, which results in increased dryness and makes signs of aging, such as fine lines, more apparent and prominent. Under eye creams can improve hydration and skin texture, leading to a noticeable difference in the appearance of the eyes. However, when used alone and even with daily application, they only provide a temporary superficial solution.
Popular ingredients found in eye creams include Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Caffeine, Retinol, and Peptides. These ingredients target different eye concerns, such as dark circles, wrinkles, sunken skin, and skin brightness. While these ingredients can be found in widely available skincare creams, it’s important to note that topical creams cannot penetrate as deeply into the dermis as facial intradermal injections, and most cannot offer instant visual effects. If your concerns involve loss of volume, genetic appearances, and deep-set wrinkles, opting for more than just a topical eye cream may be the best approach. For example, loss of volume can be corrected by injecting hyaluronic acid into the dermis, creating a fuller, plumper look and increased volume where needed. Whereas applying hyaluronic acid topically will yield less noticeable results.
In-clinic treatments, such as ABG Lab’s MesoEye C71, have the unique ability to address various under-eye concerns, including fat bags, puffiness, edema, periorbital plasticity, dark circles, skin lifting and firming, and improvement of microcirculation processes, such as lymphatic drainage. One advantage of clinic-based aesthetic treatments is the expertise of clinicians in personalizing the treatment for each patient’s specific needs. Not everyone requires the same number of treatments or has the same concerns. For example, an individual may have a genetic predisposition to dark circles and also experience accelerated wrinkles under their eyes due to lifestyle factors. An experienced clinician can customize the dermal injection treatment to address both issues. Additionally, the results of injectable treatments last much longer, typically 6-9 months, and become apparent much faster. Instead of using a cream daily and waiting 3-4 months to see any significant results, an aesthetic injection treatment session can be completed and produce profound visible results in less time than it takes to eat your lunch.
