The most effective ways to get rid of sunken eyes
Our eyes are often the first place we notice signs of ageing. Be it through smiling, smoking or sun exposure, keeping our eyes perky can be challenging because the skin around the eye is the thinnest on the body, which only gets thinner as we age. Hollow eyes, also known as sunken eyes, are a widespread ageing concern that occurs when the under-eye skin appears dark and hollow, the socket appears larger, and the eyes appear to be set deep in the socket. Some people naturally have sunken eyes due to genetics, but in others, they develop and worsen with age.
What causes sunken eyes?
Sunken eyes are partly related to the junction (the tear trough crease) between the lower eyelid and the cheek. The smoother that junction is, the less hollow your eyes will look. Some people’s tear troughs become hollow as they age due to the loss of periorbital fat – the fat that lies beneath the skin in the eye area – and bone resorption. As you age, the fat pads in your face begin to shrink. We all have around twenty fat pads in our faces, some of them being under the eye. And the ones in this area are usually the first to go. When this happens, sunken tear troughs are made even more noticeable because the skin, no longer stretched over the same volume of fat, is looser, saggier and more likely to fold.
To make matters worse, we also lose a significant amount of bone mass from our skulls as we age. This affects the temples, eye sockets, jaw, chin and mouth, causing everything in the face to gradually collapse inwards. As a result, the eye socket becomes more prominent with age than it was when you were younger.
Does weight loss make it worse?
Generally, ageing and genetics are more likely to be the causes of hollow eyes. That said, when you lose fat, you lose fat globally – from everywhere from your face to your body – so significant weight loss can make the appearance of hollowness that bit worse.
How to improve sunken eyes
Tear trough fillers containing hyaluronic acid are a quick and highly effective way to restore lost volume under the eyes, often lifting and freshening the entire face as a result. By restoring lost volume in the tear trough zone and smoothing out the junction between the edge of the cheekbone and the hollow under-eye area, we can significantly reduce sunken hollows and dark shadows and make the whole area look brighter.
How long do fillers last in this area?
Most patients retain their results for 9-18 months, however precisely how long a tear trough treatment holds its effect is very individual. This depends on many factors, such as your age, skin type, lifestyle, and metabolism.
Can skincare help?
Unfortunately, no product can revolumise a face that’s losing natural volume and bone. Some products do offer a ‘plumping’ or ‘smoothing’ effect which can help the skin look less wrinkled, but it can’t do anything to replace what’s been lost beneath the surface.
If you’re concerned about tear trough hollows and want to learn more about your options, click here to book a consultation.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
