This guide is about the eye area in general: Lashes, skin, wrinkles, pigmentation, redness, under eye volume and the actual eyelid/canthal area.
I’ll explain what each compound or treatment actually does and what it realistically can and cannot change.
KEY TERMS AND COMPOUNDS
MINOXIDIL
Minoxidil is a drug used to increase hair growth. (Comes in oral and topical forms.)
It is a prodrug and needs to be converted into its active form, mainly through sulfotransferase enzymes such as SULT1A1.These enzymes are present in hair follicles.
main effects of minoxidil are:
Prolonging the anagen phase
Shortening the telogen phase
Increasing follicular activity
Improving blood flow around the follicle
Supporting the growth phase of the hair follicle
In short minoxidil helps hair follicles basically stay in the growth phase for longer, become more active and get a better blood supply which can lead to thicker and longer hairs.
Just so you know the amount of SULT1A1 activity differs between people and that partly explains why some people respond much better to topical minoxidil.
MSM(methylsulfonylmethane)
It is an organosulfur compound used as a dietary supplement especially for joint and skin related purposes.
The reason MSM gets mentioned together with minoxidil is because of theories involving availibilty of sulfur and activity of sulfotransferase. Another theory is that MSM can influence skin permeability.
I would not treat MSM as a proven minoxidil booster. Reason is because there is some biological reasoning behind it but nothing is fully confirmed or anything.
BIMATOPROST
Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin based drug that was normally got used for glaucoma.
Known cosmetic effects is eyelash growth as it can increase
eyelash length
eyelash thickness
eyelash darkness
It works by affecting the lash growth cycle and keeping more follicles in the active growth phase.
Main downside is that prostaglandinbased treatments "can" (not always) also affect the surrounding eye area.
Possible changes are:
periorbital fat loss
pigmentation changes
changes in the appearance of the eyelids
These changes are known as prostaglandin associated periorbitopathy.
So bimatoprost can give you better lashes, BUT it COULD potentially change the surrounding eye area too.
BRIMONIDINE
Brimonidine is an eye drop that can temporarily reduce eye redness.
It works by narrowing small blood vessels in the eye making the whites look more clearer.
It can improve the appearance of red eyes.
So this is mainly a temporary redness treatment.
HYDROQUINONE
It works mainly by reducing melanin production and interfering with the pigment producing cells.
It can be useful for certain types of pigmentation and darkening.
Possible side effects
irritation
redness
dryness
contact dermatitis
Exogenous ochronosis
Exogenous ochronosis is a rare thing that can cause a blue black or slate gray type of discoloration of the skin.
If you want a related topic on it.
TRETINOIN
Tretinoin is a retinoid used in skincare and it changes how skin cells grow and mature and can help with
acne
skin texture
pigmentation
fine lines
collagen production
It can be useful for improving the quality and appearance of the skin. Retinoids are commonly used for mild fine lines pigmentation and acne.
The skin around the eyes is much more sensitive than normal facial skin.
Possible side effects:
dryness
irritation
redness
more sensitivity to sunlight
I would not recommend using strong amounts directly very close to the eye without knowing exactly what you are doing.
TAZAROTENE
Tazarotene is another retinoid and it is mainly used for things such as acne and it affects skin cell growth.
It can influence
inflammation
skin texture
pigmentation
It is usually more irritating than many retinoids.
I would not recommend casually using tazarotene around the eye area because the skin there is thin and sensitive, but you do you.
BOTOX
Botox works by temporarily reducing muscle activity.
When its around the eye area it is mainly used for dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated muscle movement.
It can reduce the appearance of
crow's feet
expression lines
some brow-related lines
In some cases Botox around the brow can also produce a small temporary lateral brow lift.
SURGERY
FAT GRAFTING
Fat grafting adds soft tissue volume and can be used around the eyes for things such as:
tear troughs
under eye hollows
volume loss
If someone has a relatively recessed infraorbital area fat grafting can sometimes make the area look fuller and smoother.
Possible complications include:
asymmetry
overcorrection
fat resorption
CANTHOPEXY
Canthopexy is a procedure that reinforces or fixes the lateral canthal structures.
It's less extensive than a full canthoplasty anddepending on the person's anatomy it can be used for:
eyelid support
eyelid laxity
subtle positional correction
CANTHOPLASTY
Canthoplasty is a more extensive procedure involving the lateral canthus.
Compared with a canthopexy it can create a more significant structural change in the position or shape of the lateral canthus.
It can be used for
eyelid support
reconstruction
eyelid malposition
Possible complications:
asymmetry
ectropion
dry eyes
revision surgery
FAT GRAFTING
VS
CANTHO PROCEDURES
Fat grafting is mainly about soft tissue volume.
Canthopexy is mainly about support and adjustment of the lateral canthal structures.
Canthoplasty is a more extensive structural procedure involving the lateral canthus like for example say the main problem is under eye hollowing then fat grafting may make more sense.
BUT if the main concern is the position of the lateral canthus then a canthopexy or canthoplasty may be more relevant or better.
That's honestly all I could write for now. Would have tried more but it's late as fuck and i'm tired as shit so this is it.
This is my first thread so yall can give me advice if yall want.(tell me if it's ass jfl) Ik this is water for most of yall but I thought I might wanna make myself a little bit useful while i'm here.
Much love hope this helps some people understand better out there ab the eye- area.
I’ll explain what each compound or treatment actually does and what it realistically can and cannot change.
KEY TERMS AND COMPOUNDS
MINOXIDIL
Minoxidil is a drug used to increase hair growth. (Comes in oral and topical forms.)
It is a prodrug and needs to be converted into its active form, mainly through sulfotransferase enzymes such as SULT1A1.These enzymes are present in hair follicles.
main effects of minoxidil are:
Prolonging the anagen phase
Shortening the telogen phase
Increasing follicular activity
Improving blood flow around the follicle
Supporting the growth phase of the hair follicle
In short minoxidil helps hair follicles basically stay in the growth phase for longer, become more active and get a better blood supply which can lead to thicker and longer hairs.
Just so you know the amount of SULT1A1 activity differs between people and that partly explains why some people respond much better to topical minoxidil.
MSM(methylsulfonylmethane)
It is an organosulfur compound used as a dietary supplement especially for joint and skin related purposes.
The reason MSM gets mentioned together with minoxidil is because of theories involving availibilty of sulfur and activity of sulfotransferase. Another theory is that MSM can influence skin permeability.
I would not treat MSM as a proven minoxidil booster. Reason is because there is some biological reasoning behind it but nothing is fully confirmed or anything.
BIMATOPROST
Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin based drug that was normally got used for glaucoma.
Known cosmetic effects is eyelash growth as it can increase
eyelash length
eyelash thickness
eyelash darkness
It works by affecting the lash growth cycle and keeping more follicles in the active growth phase.
Main downside is that prostaglandinbased treatments "can" (not always) also affect the surrounding eye area.
Possible changes are:
periorbital fat loss
pigmentation changes
changes in the appearance of the eyelids
These changes are known as prostaglandin associated periorbitopathy.
So bimatoprost can give you better lashes, BUT it COULD potentially change the surrounding eye area too.
BRIMONIDINE
Brimonidine is an eye drop that can temporarily reduce eye redness.
It works by narrowing small blood vessels in the eye making the whites look more clearer.
It can improve the appearance of red eyes.
So this is mainly a temporary redness treatment.
HYDROQUINONE
It works mainly by reducing melanin production and interfering with the pigment producing cells.
It can be useful for certain types of pigmentation and darkening.
Possible side effects
irritation
redness
dryness
contact dermatitis
Exogenous ochronosis
Exogenous ochronosis is a rare thing that can cause a blue black or slate gray type of discoloration of the skin.
If you want a related topic on it.
TRETINOIN
Tretinoin is a retinoid used in skincare and it changes how skin cells grow and mature and can help with
acne
skin texture
pigmentation
fine lines
collagen production
It can be useful for improving the quality and appearance of the skin. Retinoids are commonly used for mild fine lines pigmentation and acne.
The skin around the eyes is much more sensitive than normal facial skin.
Possible side effects:
dryness
irritation
redness
more sensitivity to sunlight
I would not recommend using strong amounts directly very close to the eye without knowing exactly what you are doing.
TAZAROTENE
Tazarotene is another retinoid and it is mainly used for things such as acne and it affects skin cell growth.
It can influence
inflammation
skin texture
pigmentation
It is usually more irritating than many retinoids.
I would not recommend casually using tazarotene around the eye area because the skin there is thin and sensitive, but you do you.
BOTOX
Botox works by temporarily reducing muscle activity.
When its around the eye area it is mainly used for dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated muscle movement.
It can reduce the appearance of
crow's feet
expression lines
some brow-related lines
In some cases Botox around the brow can also produce a small temporary lateral brow lift.
SURGERY
FAT GRAFTING
Fat grafting adds soft tissue volume and can be used around the eyes for things such as:
tear troughs
under eye hollows
volume loss
If someone has a relatively recessed infraorbital area fat grafting can sometimes make the area look fuller and smoother.
Possible complications include:
asymmetry
overcorrection
fat resorption
CANTHOPEXY
Canthopexy is a procedure that reinforces or fixes the lateral canthal structures.
It's less extensive than a full canthoplasty anddepending on the person's anatomy it can be used for:
eyelid support
eyelid laxity
subtle positional correction
CANTHOPLASTY
Canthoplasty is a more extensive procedure involving the lateral canthus.
Compared with a canthopexy it can create a more significant structural change in the position or shape of the lateral canthus.
It can be used for
eyelid support
reconstruction
eyelid malposition
Possible complications:
asymmetry
ectropion
dry eyes
revision surgery
FAT GRAFTING
VS
CANTHO PROCEDURES
Fat grafting is mainly about soft tissue volume.
Canthopexy is mainly about support and adjustment of the lateral canthal structures.
Canthoplasty is a more extensive structural procedure involving the lateral canthus like for example say the main problem is under eye hollowing then fat grafting may make more sense.
BUT if the main concern is the position of the lateral canthus then a canthopexy or canthoplasty may be more relevant or better.
That's honestly all I could write for now. Would have tried more but it's late as fuck and i'm tired as shit so this is it.
This is my first thread so yall can give me advice if yall want.(tell me if it's ass jfl) Ik this is water for most of yall but I thought I might wanna make myself a little bit useful while i'm here.
Much love hope this helps some people understand better out there ab the eye- area.
