Blog with Dr. Irwin

Tag >> Eyelid Treatments

Can a person with permanent eye liner (upper and lower) have thermage? Does it do anything to the eye liner?
Each case is unique, but usually Thermage, which is a sound wave (radiofrequency), should not affect permanent eyeliner. Be sure to tell your physician about your permanent eyeliner during... more

Which eye cream can be used on eyelids. Have puffiness and a crepy look.
Just remember that allergies to all sorts of things like grasses, moulds, trees, etc can sometimes cause eyelid puffiness.  Please see an allergist if you are not sure.  Also, eyelid skin... more

Is there anything that can help with dark circles under the eyes? Thanks in advance!

Dark circles are difficult because they can be caused by different things ..... and sometimes have multiple causes.  Since treatments are different depending on the cause, it can get... more


What do you think of arteform? Particularly for slight hollows in the undereye area?
I'm thinking you might mean Artefill even though you wrote Arteform??  If I'm mistaken, please write again.   Artefill is a terrible idea in general and especially under the eyes.  It... more

Hello Dr. - Even at the age of 59 I still have super oily skin--particularly the nose area. also, I was born with bags under my eyes what non-surgical fix would you recommend, please. Have daughter's wedding 9/4/11. Thank you greatly, VJ

Hi VJ -  Have you talked to your dermatologist about trying spironolactone (decreases testosterone slightly in women but still keeps it in the normal range)?  It will decrease your oil... more


I have these small flat growth under both of my eyes. I've been told that they are nothing but clogged pores. I got them after my second pregnancy. What kind of treatment would be best?
To know how to treat something like this, first you really need a diagnosis.  There are about 10 things that can cause growths under the eyes.  You doctor may know that they are benign... more

I have just read and enjoyed your book! There was a very small paragraph on putting filler into the channel under the eye to smooth it out which mentions this can be dangerous and may cause blindness - can you tell me any more about this? Many Thanks

I really have to say yes and no.  The eye area is not FDA approved for any filler to my knowledge although it's often done as an "off-label" use.   This is a tricky area and my... more


Dear Dr. Irwin: I underwent lower blepharoplaty 8 months ago for fat repositioning and fat pad removal. I still have a large bag on one cheek that was present prior to the surgery. I have consulted my physician about this and was told this is a separate problem requiring additional surgery. I do not have excess skin just the "pad" which gives my face a lopsided appearance. I consulted another surgeon who recommended Juvederm to correct the appearance of the asymmetry, Juvederm made it worse. Are there any options other than surgery? Is the procedure to correct this condition similar to blepharoplasty? Rhonda

Rhonda -  I can't tell you what the right thing to do here is but I think I can help you in your thinking about it to help get you to a good solution.  Hope that makes sense.

The first... more


Hi Dr. Irwin, I'm interested in doing Thermage around the eyes. I'm in my late 30s and have good skin although very thin around the eyes. When not animated (resting state) the skin under my eyes looks fine. However, when I smile and the skin under my eyes is pushed up, it gets a bit bunchy and crepey looking. Is there anything I can do to improve that? I do a little Botox for my crows feet which completely helps minimize my crows feet. I also had a lower lid blephoraplasty with fat repositioning over a year ago so there is no extraneous skin or fat in this area now. Do you think Thermage around the eyes would help? I know I might not see the results for 4 to 6 months. Any other suggestions? Thanks.
This is a good question since you are in your 30s still.  If the problem is more that there's a little loose skin, then eyelid Thermage is a good choice at your age.  If the problem is more... more

Hi Dr. Irwin, what type of treatment do you recommend for the hollow area underneath the eyes? I'm 28 and tired of people telling me I look sick or tired, but due to some weight loss, the area underneath my eyes has lost volume. Any suggestions? Thank you!
At age 28, you definately do not need surgery under eye hollows. Look for a truly expert injector in your area and depending on where you live this may take some time.  When you call,... more

Hello, I had a tca peel done one month ago on my lower eyelids. one month later they are red/brown. my doctor prescribed hydroquinone 4%. i woke up this morning and they look very red on the area where the peel was performed. should I keep using the hydroquinone cream and will the redness lessen over time. thank you.

You bring up several good points.  With TCA peels or almost any procedure, there is the procedure itself and then there's what comes afterwards.  When there's a complication, sometimes... more


I have a question regarding Hydroquinone. I asked my dermatologist about the dark circles under my eyes and also a few brown spots I had. He recommended 8% hydroquinone in 0.01% retisol, to be used twice a day. I am finding that it seems to make my skin more sensitive and I have been getting these red itchy spots. Will this pass or is this product maybe too strong. Any recommendations for these problems that may be better than this. I am 54 years old. Thanks
In my opinion, this compounded 8% cream with retinol is WAY too strong to use around the eyes.  I'm surprised you are not completely red, itchy and puffy.  You must have very tough... more

I was told by my family physician to use "Mother of Pearl" cream to help with a brown spot I have on the side of my eye since it is getting larger. After reading your tips on brown spots, I am making an appointment with a dermatologist to make sure it is nothing serious.
Thank you for writing this.  You did exactly the right thing!!  There are brown spots that can be melanomas or lentigo maligna or "pre melanomas"  - also called dysplastic nevi.  I... more

Is it safe to use Thermage to tighten the eyelids since the skin is thin?
Yes.  Thermage has a special FDA approved eyelid tip which is tiny and perfectly suited to delicate eyelid skin.  In our office, just to be extra careful, we put in small "intraocular" eye... more

HI Dr. I- I am 37 and really considering thermage for the eyes. I would like to tighten the area. I currently do Botox for the crows feet and bunny lines. They really make a nice difference but I am not completly satisfied. I think I am losing the volume under my eyes and around my mouth. I have high cheek bones which helps but I really notice the change :( I follow your skincare regimine and I have good skin overall but it's become significantly thinner and combined with my other issues I am wondering what you would recommend? Thank in advanced for your time.
At 37, it depends on what's bothering you the most.  Eyelid Thermage tends to be best if there is a just little "hooding" or slightly lax skin.  Eyelid Fraxel tends to be better if the... more

I know there have been concerns (at least in theory) about abnormal cell growth from topically applied human growth factors. You recommend TNS Recovery Complex and I would love to be reassured that there is little danger from using it since I'd love to try it.
I think you'll feel comforted by knowing how they are made.  Since our own cells make these factors, they are completely natural.  To make a long story short, a certified young cell line... more

Is there any type of laser procedure that will lighten dark undereye circles?
Lasers don't always work for this but a series of 2-3 fractionated CO2 (like the DEKA DOT or Lumenis Active/Deep Fx) laser treatments would be your best choice.  Be sure to go to an... more

I've read that you recommend eye creams? This seems to be a contradictory subject as many derms do not recommend eyecreams. For example Dr. Ellen Marmur says in her book "Simple Skin Beauty" they are redundant. Why do some derms recommend and others not?

Good question and I have three reasons that I do recommend them:

1.  The skin on and around the eyelids (neck skin is similar) is very thin compared to the rest of the face and has almost... more


HI Dr. I have a question about the pads that form under the eyes. I am 37 and at times my eyes look puffy underneath. I wouldn't say the its are very prominent or lasting but I am becoming more aware of that area and now I am wondering how the "pads" form in that area?? Is it something that just appear one day or is it a gradual process and if so is there anything to keep them from forming??? I have good skin, I have a good skincare regime (influenced by you of course. I use the sunscreen and moisturizers,etc my eye area is really changing. Thank you in advanced for your time!!!

Under eye pads or puffiness are complicated because there are several different causes and sometimes they coexist together.  So....... causes can be:

1.  The skin on the eyelids loses... more


What is the best treatment for the under eye crinkles? Is it thermage or fillers or retin a or something else? Thanks, Bonnie

This is such a complicated question because it depends on sooooo many factors.  I'll try to make a long story short!  But, please see the section on eyes on this site.  

If you just have a... more


Hello Dr. Irwin, I just listened to you on Paula\'s talk show and am excited to ask you about a facial aging skin issue I have. I am 51 yrs. old and have battled facial edema under the eye area right on the cheek bones for years. A couple years ago, I started taking armour thyroid for autoimmune disease and the edema has improved greatly. But as a result, I have crepey skin only in this area. The rest of my skin is in pretty good shape. Is there anything that can help this? What would your recommendations be? I never see this issue addressed and would appreciate your expertise. Thank you. Roberta
Hello Roberta -  I'm not sure how old you are (the elasticity issue) and  you'll want an opinion from a good cosmetic dermatologist.  But, if you your lower eyelid skin is really just... more

Hi Dr. Irwin, I recently read your book. I was very impressed with the information provided. I do have one question that I'd like your opinion on. I had upper eyelid surgery a year old. Although the incision line is white and flattened, it's more noticeable than I expected. I'm wondering if you think a particular type of laser treatment on the upper eyelid could help improve the scar appearance. I'm 37 and my goal is to improve the incision line appearance (any skin tightening, extra would only be a bonus, but not a priority). Thank you
Thank you for the compliment!  If you're 37, you probably have good elasticity of your skin so further tightening could cause problems.  Your surgeon might need to help you with this... more

Thank you for all your heart-felt advice on your site. I am 32 and have constant struggles with my skin. Extremely oily in the t-zone and dry on the cheeks, acne-prone in nature. A big challenge I have is dealing with these white bumps under my eye, all along my dark circles. Both my mom and my grandmother have these, so it may be in the family. 1. Is there a product that can help minimize these white head in this sensitive area? 2. Outside of the traditional extraction (which hurts cause the area is so sensitive), is there another method to removing them? Thanks again!
Your welcome!!!   I hate to sound like a broken record but you need a dermatologist because there are several different types of white bumps under the eyes.  The most common ones are small... more

Dr. I: I am 50 years old and live in Missouri. I had co2 laser treatment 6 months ago under my eyes and now my skin under my eyes is thinner and you can see the veins around the lower orbital of my eye. Is there anything I can do for this? Makeup does not cover it completely or looks cakey. D

Was the CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser you had a traditional CO2 or a fractionated CO2? ? I'm strongly recommending to consumers that if they want want to do a CO2 laser on the eyelids it... more


How effective is fraxel lazer for tightening and what are the adverse side effects. I used thermage in the orbital area 6 months ago without noticeable results. A waist of money and I am very disappointed with the results.

It's too bad you didn't see much with the Thermage eyelid treatment.  It's very operator dependent.  It's hard to know if you were just unlucky or didn't get a good treatment.  Fraxel is... more


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