We all have thin skin under our eyes. In fact, it’s some of the thinnest, most delicate skin found on the human body. Aging, sun damage, lack of sleep, and other causes of thin skin tend to affect us below the eyes before other parts of the face, leaving many people with dark circles, puffy bags, and other unwanted blemishes and wrinkles.
It’s not easy to thicken or improve under-eye skin on your own. Are you tired of looking tired? The skin care experts at The Derm are here to help!
Learn what causes thin under-eye skin, simple treatments you can do at home, and how The Derm targets this common problem area to give you thicker, fuller, and more youthful-looking skin.
Causes of thin under-eye skin
Catching someone’s eye. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What a sight for sore eyes.
For all the appearance-related phrases that revolve around eyes, the skin around them sure does give us a lot of trouble. The greatest reason why under-eye skin is so thin? We have Mother Nature to thank for that. Other important reasons include:
Aging
Our skin gets thinner, drier, and loses elasticity as we age and begin to produce less collagen (the substance that makes our skin thick and supple). The effects of aging are more prominent in some people than others. For example, people with lighter skin are more likely to have visible blood vessels.
Sun damage
Too much exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays can damage skin cells and cause premature aging, speeding up the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the already-thin skin under your eyes.
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation can be hard on your skin at any age. The fragile skin under your eyes often looks worse when you are fatigued, causing bags, dark circles, and additional fine lines and wrinkles.
Smoking
Smoking damages the collagen that gives your skin its elasticity and fullness and also contributes to premature aging.
Medications
Corticosteroids are used to treat a variety of skin conditions, from mild skin irritations to chronic conditions like eczema or psoriasis. However, certain topical steroids can cause your skin to thin even more. Check with your dermatologist before starting a skin care regimen that includes corticosteroids.
Symptoms of thin under-eye skin
If we all have thin under-eye skin, how will you know when it’s becoming a problem? Some signs that the delicate skin under your eyes may need attention include:
- Skin becomes loose and finely wrinkled, like crepe paper
- Skin becomes drier or less elastic than usual
- Dark circles begin to appear (or look darker than usual)
- Eyes become more sunken
How to thicken under-eye skin at home
We always recommend contacting The Derm to ask about your treatment options, but here are some remedies that you can try at home:
- Apply a cool compress – It won’t make your under-eye skin thicker, but it can reduce swelling and improve the appearance of your skin.
- Put cucumber slices on your (closed) eyes – Cucumbers are 96 percent water, making them ideal for hydrating your skin and reducing puffiness around your eyes.
- Or try tea bags – Scientific research has confirmed that green tea and black tea both have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Take a hyaluronan supplement – Studies show that taking a hyaluronan supplement (which contains hyaluronic acid) can help moisturize dry skin.
When to see a dermatologist
Having thin skin under your eyes does not pose any risks to your health. But if you’ve tried fixing the problem yourself and still aren’t satisfied with your appearance, it’s time to visit The Derm. A board-certified dermatologist from our team can explain your options and help you select the professional treatment that’s best for you.
We offer many solutions to thicken and improve thin under-eye skin, including:
- Skin care products – For example, serums that contains retinol (also known as vitamin A) can help boost collagen production and repair damaged skin cells. Eye cream that contains vitamins B, C, and K, as well as hyaluronic acid, can also help plump up thin under-eye skin.
- Under-eye dermal fillers – Dermal fillers, which typically last about a year, are designed to add volume to under-eye skin.
- Microneedling – Tiny fine needles are rolled over your skin to help stimulate the growth of elastin and collagen.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy – IPL is used to treat signs of aging, including wrinkles and visible blood vessels.
- Laser skin resurfacing – This procedure uses lasers to improve your skin’s texture and appearance.
Schedule an appointment today
With three convenient locations in Glenview, Park Ridge, and Wilmette, the board-certified dermatologists at The Derm are dedicated to providing exceptional skin care for all. Schedule an appointment today, so we can create a personalized treatment plan for you – and get ready for better skin in the blink of an eye.
