Let me look into your eyes… The eyes are the window of the soul… “The soul that can speak through the eyes can also kiss with a gaze” (Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, 19th century)… From this very small sampling of memorable quotes spanning the centuries, you can see that the eyes attract a lot of attention. Eyes are the key feature and the focal point of our countenances. From beautiful portraits to romantic poetry, to the musings and writings of novelists, playwrights, visionaries, and philosophers, the eyes capture and reflect our feelings, spirit, character, and thoughts. A simple glance, a sidelong look, or a deep, pensive stare can mean and convey so much emotion in just a few seconds.
It probably comes to no surprise to you that the eyes are often the main source of complaint and dissatisfaction when we do a cosmetic consultation for one of our patients. It is no wonder that we focus on the eyes when they are surrounded and being framed by fine lines, hollows, bags, and dark circles. We connect with others with our eyes. We see each other and make eye contact to make that connection. It could be a stranger on the street, someone helping you behind the counter, or a very dear, loved one, but whoever it is, we make that initial human connection, that first impression with our eyes. Often times, no word has to be spoken to know what emotion is being conveyed. It is for these reasons that everyone, especially a woman, wants to enhance and maximize the beauty of the eyes. So let’s talk eyes, shall we?
Eyes are a specialty of mine. I have struggled with genetic dark circles and hollows under my eyes for nearly my entire life. I have searched high and low, and there is not a single product on the market I have not tried. Yes, I have spent a pretty penny researching and purchasing products over the years, at least until I started working at Honet Dermatology/Cosmetic. With the right eye cream and the care of and treatment by Dr. Honet, I have finally reached my happy place with my eyes. It isn’t perfect (but I realize no one’s is), but I am really pleased with where my eyes are and how they look today. Let me tell you, if your eyes are something you focus on all the time like I do and did, this happy place is exactly where you want to be when it comes to your eyes.
Who doesn’t want a lifted brow, smoothness in the under-eye area, and beautiful skin around the eyelids? From hollow tear troughs to crow’s feet, there are so many treatment options that will help. For the brow and under-eye area, Ultherapy® is the only FDA-cleared nonsurgical procedure for lifting and tightening. When done on the upper face with concentration on the area around the eyes, Ultherapy® can lift the brow to open the eyes, smooth the area surrounding the lower lids, and tighten and lift the skin to reduce the wrinkles around the eye and those annoying crow’s feet. Ultherapy® helps to stimulate the restoration and rebuilding of your own collagen, where it is essentially rebuilding the support structures around your eyes, like getting a new box spring for your mattress. When combined or paired with other treatments like Botox®, dermal filler, and PRP, the eyes can get a huge rejuvenating boost without a scalpel ever touching the skin.
Another great option is having dermal fillers like Juvederm® Ultra and Belotero Balance® placed in the tear-trough area. When this is done, the surrounding area under the eye gets “reinflated” in a sense, allowing your eyes to look less sunken and tired. It rebuilds the under-eye area and gives it the structure it has lost over the years or one never had, like myself. Our Eclipse PRP® or Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) can be used like filler as well, but this treatment stimulates your own collagen rebuilding over time by utilizing the power of your own plasma and platelets. The beauty of PRP is that it harnesses the power of your own body’s growth factors and cells. As you can imagine, when dermal filler and PRP are combined, the results can be significant.
And of course, Botox® and other neuromodulators like Dysport® and Xeomin®, are remarkably rejuvenating because not only can they lift the brow area to give a more awake, bright, open look, but they can also reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eyes, like the crow’s feet and bunny or kitten lines. Although the effects of Botox® are temporary, lasting about 3-5 months, getting these injections are well worth the effort and all the needle pokes because the results are amazing! Believe it or not, everyone truly loves Botox®!
Another great adjunct to these treatments is the Glytone® EnerPeel® Eye & Lip, which helps dark circles and photodamage around the eyes. I have had several of these peels as well and they work great alone or with the other treatments in the office. This chemical peel is simple with very little downtime and is very gentle and specifically formulated for skin around the eyes.
Finally, of course these office procedures are far more effective when paired with topical home-care treatments, not only because these help maintain the cosmetic results, but they also rejuvenate the skin around the eyes. Today’s cosmeceutical-grade serums and creams are specifically formulated for the eyes and make a huge difference when it comes to crepey and dark under-eye areas. We love our “smart” eye creams at HDC, and every single one of us, no matter our age, use one or two or three daily. There is truly an eye cream perfect for anyone’s eye needs. Personally, I am a huge fan of SkinBetter® Smoothing Daily Treatment Cream EYE. Dr. Honet also loves this one for her own eyes. It provides all-day hydration and works wonders for fines lines under your eyes. Another office favorite we have mentioned before is Arcona™ EyeDew Plus. We love this eye cream for many reasons, but its hydration and light-reflecting effects make this eye treatment a dream. It is also an amazing base for your eyes before applying your makeup. And last but not least, the HDC cult favorites are Restorsea™ Revitalizing Eye Cream and Restorsea™ PRO Firming Eye Serum. Both of these powerhouse treatments harness the power of salmon roe enzyme or Aquabeautine XL® to rejuvenate and restore the youthfulness to the eye area. The entire Restorsea™ line of skincare can be amazing additions to any skincare regimen and is especially well suited for sensitive skin and skin prone to inflammatory conditions. Restorsea™ also plays well with all the other numerous antiaging skincare lines we offer in the office, such that almost every patient of ours interested in maintaining beautiful, youthful skin uses one or more of the Restorsea™ products. And if that’s not endorsement enough, know that all of us staff and Dr. Honet herself use one or more Restorsea™ products as part of our own daily skincare regimen.
If your eyes are your weak spot, remember that you are not alone. I have to admit that I don’t think there is anyone who doesn’t think their eyes need some help. From in-office treatment options to smart creams and serums, we can customize a treatment regimen for you and your eyes. Wouldn’t it be nice to say goodbye to the days of caking on heavy concealer to camouflage whatever flaws that bother you? And we all know that less is more when it comes to makeup, so let us help you get the “windows of your soul” to be as beautiful as they can be!
Happy. Healthy Skin!
–Senada and Dr. H
