The eye is the jewel of the body. — Henry David Thoreau

One can argue that beautiful eyes can be the most important facial attribute. We have all been taught to make eye contact when speaking to someone and always “look a person in the eye.” The eyes frame the face and striking eyes can draw attention from other less desirable features, like a large nose or crooked smile.

Youthful, attractive eyes can be achieved and maintained by various methods outlined below.

1. Protect them

Unfortunately, the eye region ages quicker than other areas of the face. For that reason sun protection with sun block and sun glasses is imperative. Moisturizers used daily also keeps the skin plump and smooth.

2. Learn how to maximize their beauty with a solid makeup routine

A variety of makeup gems can be tapped to make your eyes sparkle. Anything that accentuates the eyes and makes them look larger. Groomed arched eyebrows frame the eyes, so learn how to properly pluck them or have them waxed by an expert. Choose the best concealer because dark circles can make eyes look smaller. Take the time to curl your eyelashes because the maneuver gives the appearance of wider, more open eyes. Mascara to the upper and lower lids create wide doe eyes. Most department stores offer advice and demonstrations from makeup artists. Take advantage and learn 3 new pearls that allow your eyes to scintillate.

3. Botox and Fillers

Smile lines (Crows Feet) and deepened tear troughs (the depression of the medial lower eyelid) age the eye region and give an unpleasant weathered appearance. Botox erases the crows feet wrinkles and filler placed expertly and conservatively within the tear trough fills the deformity. Botox to the forehead can also subtly raise the eyebrows, providing an appealing brow lift. Two minor procedures that can make an enormous difference.

4. Chemical Peel

Fine line wrinkles of the lower eyelids create crepe like skin, showcasing the aging process. Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Chemical Peel is a non-toxic chemical, which has been used to perform skin peels for years. It is a relative of the vinegar acetic acid peel. When TCA is applied to the skin, it causes the top layers of cells to dry up and peel off over a period of several days to one week. When the old skin is peeled off, it exposes a new layer of undamaged skin, which has a smoother texture and more even color. It can erase the fine lines and lighten pigmented skin that cause dark circles. TCA peels can be done at different depths from shallow to deep, making it a versatile option.

5. Lasers

The Carbon Dioxide (C02) Fractional Laser removes layers of skin tissue in a fractionated method (columns of skin are removed, leaving the skin surrounding each column intact to aid in healing) to help reduce “age-spots.” These are also called sun freckles, liver spots, fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, uneven coloration, skin laxity, textural irregularities, dull tone, and a thinned collagen layer of the face and neck. It is an effective option for the eyelids.

6. Surgery

Redundant skin of the upper eyelids have a heavy effect, weighing down the lids, creating a sleepy appearance, making the eyes look smaller. Bulging fat of the lower lids cause the dreaded “bags” which age the face. Blepharoplasty is an operation that trims the skin of the upper lids and reduces the fatty bulges of the lower lids and replaces the fat to its proper, rejuvenated position. This operation can provide significant improvement to the region without a major change to the face. Eyes appear brighter and larger, erasing the fatigued sleepy appearance.

Advancing age brings loss of skin elasticity and the effects of gravity cause the eyebrows to descend, along with the facial skin. This can convey an unattractive angry or scowling facial appearance and make eyes look smaller. Oftentimes eyelid surgery is combined with a MiniBrow Lift, gently lifting the lateral brow through a small scalp incision. This helps alleviate the heavy appearance of the entire upper facial and eyelid regions.

As you can see, there is a multitude of options for enhancing the appearance of your eyes. Always consider the least invasive options first. The more aggressive procedures should be performed by MDs, steer clear of Spas. Botox, Fillers, TCA Chemical Peels, and Laser treatments should be performed by board certified plastic surgeons or dermatologists. Eyelid and Brow Surgery is best performed by board certified plastic surgeons.

Robert Tornambe, MD is a New York City Plastic Surgeon and Medical Advisor for Trueself. Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Tornambe has been practicing plastic surgery for more than 25 years. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, was featured in NYMAG’s “Best Doctors” issue, and was the Chief of Plastic Surgery at NYC’s Cabrini Medical Center for 20 years.