Eyelid wrinkles are defined as a small furrow or crease in the skin, especially of the face, as from aging or frowning. Generally speaking, wrinkles appear more on our skin as we get older, but we also may develop eyelid wrinkles if our skin has been in water for too long. These are generally temporary wrinkles, and don’t last very long.
Other factors that tend to cause eyelid wrinkles on most people are sun exposure, and sun damage to the skin, dehydration, and smoking, as well as a few other causes.
Genetics also play a part in the process, as these tend to effect and influence where and when wrinkles may first appear. Skin which has more melanin in it, which acts as a natural sun defence, tends to show eyelid wrinkles less.
Eyelid wrinkles are a normal, natural part of the aging process, because our skin naturally grows drier, thinner and thus less elastic with age. The underlying fatty layers in our skin start to fade away, atrophy and shrink. This also means that our skin is less able to defend itself from the effects of the sun. Inevitably, fine lines, and creases will develop on the skin surface. There are two types of wrinkles: fine surface lines and deep furrows.
Traditionally, eyelid wrinkles are an indicator to age, and age is associated with wisdom. They are not usually associated with any health concerns, and tend to stay more in the cosmetic side of our health. In this modern day, eyelid wrinkles are not desired by most people, who would rather stay eternally young. In the search for the fountain of youth, many people turn to a variety of treatments which are available.
Globally, billions of dollars are spent annually in the pursuit of minimising and reducing, or even eliminating wrinkles. Whilst a lot of basic anti-wrinkle treatments can help to minimise fine lines, deeper furrows require more drastic measures, such as fillers (injections of collagen below the skin surface) or even plastic surgery.
As the sun plays a defining role in the appearance of eyelid wrinkles, we find that wrinkles tend to form initially on the parts of the body which most often exposed to the sun. This includes the face and neck and the backs of the hands.
On the face, wrinkles around the eyes are often the first to appear. These may start as very fine, laugh lines? Our regular facial expressions may lead to certain lines forming on our faces in the same places, leading to the formation of eyelid wrinkles. As we move our faces (laughing, talking), squint at the sun, and generally move through our lives, the fine lines about our eyelids will gradually become more and more pronounced.
Stress may also be a leading contributor to wrinkles around the eyes, as well as quick weight changes (increases or decreases), lack of sleep, too much sun exposure, and a reduction of Vitamin E in our skin. If the creases around the eyes become severe, they may lead to a sagging of the eyelids.