Proof that life just ain’t fair. A recent study found that some folks age faster than others. A woman of 38 can look almost 60 – or just 28. Now a new study builds further on this recent and yields new clues into eye wrinkles, and possibly how to avoid them down the road.
The study links wrinkles to sebaceous glands. More specifically, wrinkles appear to develop in areas with fewer of these oil-secreting glands just below the skin. You’ve got more of these glands in your forehead than around your eyes. Meaning? Wrinkles tend to be deeper in this tell-tale area than on your forehead. Enter eye wrinkles, crow’s feet, laugh lines and visible aging in all its glory.
Eye wrinkles develop for a variety of reasons. While you can’t change your genes, you can at least rock what nature gave you. Other factors are at play with eye wrinkles too, from diet and exercise to sun exposure and liquid intake. You can also try an anti-wrinkle eye cream to help manage eye wrinkles, like Eyelasticity Age-Defying Eye Therapy, which you can buy right here at Natural Health Source.
Eye Wrinkles Linked to Sebaceous Glands
The study found that areas with high concentrations of sebaceous glands had less prominent wrinkles and fine lines. That makes sense – sebaceous glands make a waxy substance called sebum, which lubricates skin and protects it from water damage.
With more sebum on your forehead, you may have better protection from aging here than around your eyes.
To reach this conclusion, Japanese researchers examined wrinkle depth, gland density and dermal skin density in cadavers. They looked at these factors around the forehead and eyes of each specimen, which ranged from the 20s to 90s.
Ghoulish work, yes – but it revealed much about aging on the face, including a link between lack of sebaceous glands and wrinkles around the eyes.
As well, they established that greater gland density was linked to a thicker dermal layer of skin just below the sweat glands and hair follicles. Or put another way, people with more sebaceous glands have thicker skin than folks with fewer of them.
While the researchers hoped their efforts would lead to an anti-wrinkle treatment, they acknowledge that many factors beyond gland density probably play a role in wrinkle depth and appearance. The study focussed exclusively on Japanese participants, so we don’t know if lighter or darker skin have the same characteristics.
Observers agree, citing a range of factors that lead to wrinkles across races. Certain backgrounds are more prone to wrinkles than others, so gland differences alone don’t explain the whole story.
How to Reduce Eye Wrinkles
Many wrinkle factors are within your control. Consider for instance that sun exposure is the leading cause of visible aging. That’s good news for those of us not blessed with an abundance of sebaceous glands as suggested by the study. You really can rock your skin and youthful appearance. Do it with these habits and you’re off to a good start:
Avoid the Sun – Sun exposure is the leading cause of wrinkles. The effect is even more profound than genes – a study on identical twins found the sibling who spent more time getting rays had more wrinkles than the twin who stayed out of the sun. Want to reduce eye wrinkles? Avoid the sun where possible, and skip tanning booths.
Use Sunscreen – If you work outside, at least slather up. An Australian study found that folks who used sunscreen over four years had 24% less sun-related skin aging than people who didn’t use it daily. Apply sunscreen with your middle or ring finger under the eye area to avoid tearing and strain in this delicate area.
Don’t Smoke – Among this nasty habit’s many adverse side effects, studies suggest that smoking releases an enzyme that breaks down collagen and related skin structure. Research on siblings shows the brother or sister that smokes has more wrinkles and up to 40% thinner skin than the non-smoker.
Get Enough Sleep – It’s not hard to spot the person with sleeping problems. He probably has bags under his eyes and is at higher risk of eye wrinkles because lack of sleep causes the body to release a cell-damaging stress hormone called cortisol. Aim for 7-8 hours a night with good sleep hygiene, or try Alteril if you have sleeping problems.
Sleep On Your Back – While we’re on the subject, sleep on your back and not on your side. The latter can lead to sleep lines on your face in the morning. Try a satin pillowcase if you’re prone to tossing and turning because they’re easier on your skin.
Try Not to Squint – Repetitive facial movements like squinting can form a groove below the skin’s surface. The effect is especially pronounced around the eyes. Get reading glasses if you have trouble reading and wear sunglasses, which should also help prevent eye damage from the sun.
Load Up On Salmon – Oily coldwater fish like salmon are great for your health because they’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also high in protein – the building block of hair and skin – making salmon one of the best cosmetic foods for the money.
Eat Soy – Some research shows that soy has properties that may offer some protection from sun aging. One study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, found that a supplement with soy improved skin’s structure and firmness after six months of use. Note – Eyelasticity is formulated with soy.
Swap Coffee For Cocoa – A 2006 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that cocoa has high levels of flavenols epicatchin and catechin, which may offer some protection against sun damage, improve hydration and circulation inside the skin.
Indulge in Fruits and Vegetables – Opt for foods that are high in skin-protecting antioxidants, which fight skin-aging free radicals. Antioxidants may also fight sun damage, and help to give skin a radiant, youthul look.
Use a Moisturizer – One of the best anti-aging secrets anywhere, a moisturizer helps keep skin plump and hydrated, so it’s harder to spot eye wrinkles and fine lines. We recommend Kollagen Intensiv here at Natural Health Source, because it’s a natural-based product with retinol with some pretty cool anti-aging mojo – it’s clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by up to 354%.
Don’t Wash Your Face Too Often – While it sounds counter-intuitive, frequent face-washing depletes your skin of its natural oils and the moisture that protects against wrinkles. Use a facial cleanser too, rather than soap, unless the latter is made with moisturizers.
Topical Help For Eye Wrinkles
Finally, you can also use topical treatments to help get rid of eye wrinkles. We recommend Eyelasticity to clients because it’s proven to reduce both eye wrinkles and other signs of aging, like dark circles and under-eye puffiness. It works quickly too – a clinical study on its formula found it produced visible results in less than two weeks.
You can also try chemical peels, dermabrasion or even fillers like Restylane to get rid of wrinkles. That’s getting away from our natural mandate here at Natural Health Source, but they’re fairly effective and could be an option if your eye wrinkles are bothering you.
That may not be necessary, though, if you’ve taken notes in this article. Eye wrinkles are often preventable. Now that you’re equipped with tricks to do that, put them to work. You may be surprised how quickly you’ll see a difference, and may prevent deeper, more noticeable eye wrinkles in your future.
