New York, NY (ContentDesk) July 24, 2006 -- Have you ever looked in a mirror and realized that you have your grandmothers eyes -- complete with crows feet, under-eye bags and loose skin? Dont get out the rocking chair and sensible shoes just yet. Today, you can refresh your eyes appearance with innovative, non-invasive, low-cost cosmetic procedures, many of which can be done in your doctors office usually with no down time. Best of all, says Joshua L. Fox, M.D., F.A.A.D., Founder and President, Advanced Dermatology and The Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, The eyes really are the window to the soul. When you rejuvenate the surrounding area, it makes your whole face look more youthful.

When people talk to you we are spending most of our time concentrating on the eyes.Upper lid droopiness and under-eye bags, under-eye discoloration, and wrinkles can all contribute to making a person look tired and old. Various techniques have recently been approved by the FDA that can provide dramatic improvements -- sometimes with just one simple visit to the doctor:Eliminate crows feet. Crows feet are the fine lines that appear at the outside corners of the eyes, the result of the loss of elasticity in skin collagen due to aging and from natural facial expressions such as squinting, smiling and concentrating. You dont have to stop smiling! Instead, try these easy fixes:·Dermal fillers (hyaluronic acid-based products) smooth out wrinkles by restoring volume and fullness to the skin around the eyes with a simple injection. One such product that has been recently approved, Restylane®, is the only one that is non-animal based.

This quality limits any risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. Results are immediate and lasts up to six months -- approximately twice as along as with collagen.·Botox® blocks nerve transmission and relaxes the muscles. Also given as an injection, Botox reduces the facial movement that causes wrinkles to appear and lasts 4  6 months. This also treats the frown area very well. ·Lasers, such as SilkTouch®, Erbium and Fraxel ® often in combination can soften or eliminate wrinkles, and tighten the skin for years.

Thermage® -- a radiofrequency laser like device can also tighten the skin under the eyes with no down time. ·Creams in addition prescription retinoic acid and tazarotene, adapelene, as well as over the counter products such as PrevageMD®, alphahydroxy acid, copper peptide and vitamin c have scientific data to support claims of lessening wrinkles. Reduce gray under-eye shadow. Blood passing through the large veins close to the surface of the skin can produce a bluish tint, especially if youve inherited very thin and transparent skin. Those dark circles can be exacerbated by sun exposure or anything promoting rubbing of the eyes such as lack of sleep or allergies.

The effect can be reduced by:·Lasers: PhotoGenica® laser technology and Lyra® removes enlarged blood vessels causing the bluish discolorant. Other lasers like Ruby, Versapluse® or ND Yag can help the irregular brown pigmentation in sun-damaged skin.·Concealers. Green makeup can cover up the red tint from blood vessels; a yellow tint can cover dark pigmentation·Chemical peels: Can lessen the discoloration under the eyes utilizing doctor strength formulations of betahydroxy acid / salicylic acid, alphahydroxy acid or other chemicals. Fix Drooping Eyes. Eye bags are a common development of aging -- the skin and the fat around the eyes start to sag because the skin loses suppleness.

Pick them up again with:Permanent / long lasting fixes: with no down time·Fat transfers are commonly used to firm up the hollow area under the eyes. The patients own fat cells are removed from one area, and injected into the under-eye. ·Skin rejuvenation through collagen stimulation. With Thermage®, this procedure tightens and contours skin, with improvements in tone, contour, and texture by remodling and stiumlating the growth of your own collagen. With Fraxel® -- over the course of 3 to 4 treatments tightens and remodels the collagen creating a softer new surface.

Temporary fixes:Restylane® can be injected to smooth out the under-eye tear trough, as well. This may last for 6 to 10 months. If you like the look you can then go for the more permanent fat transfer. Although the prices vary according to the procedure and the severity of the case, most of these techniques are very affordable, says Dr. Fox.

Talk to your dermatologist who specializes in this area to tailor a plan that works for you. Bio: Joshua L. Fox, M.D., F.A.A.D.Joshua L. Fox, M.D., is a leading authority in the field of dermatology with an expertise in skin cancer, cosmetic surgery, and laser procedures. As an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Fox has been an expert resource on dermatologic topics for numerous televisions networks, including ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Telemundo, talk shows, radio stations, newspapers and magazines.

Dr. Fox has served on the board of the National Rosacea Foundation and has done clinical trials in both medical and laser therapy in rosacea. He has received multiple research and clinical awards, including recognition from Top Doctors, Whos Who, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology, Community Service Award from the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the prestigious Husic Award, as well as certificates of recognition for service from multiple hospitals and civic, educational and community organizations. Dr. Fox has authored and presented papers of his research on lasers, cosmetic procedures, stretch marks, scars, skin cancer, bug bites, photosensitivity and various rashes.

As founder and director of Advanced Dermatology and The Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Fox and associates have expanded the practice to one of the largest in dermatology, laser and cosmetic surgery, with more lasers than any hospital or dermatology practice on the eastern coast. Dr. Fox is a graduate of the New York University Medical Center of Skin and Cancer and has been on the advisory board of the Psoriasis Foundation and National Rosacea Foundation, among others. He has also been a fellow of many societies, including the International Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology and the Society for Investigative Dermatology.

Dr. Fox is the founder of the AAD Melanoma/Skin Cancer Prevention Program in Queens, New York (since 1987). Dr. Fox has been Chief of Dermatology of several major teaching hospitals, including Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens and Jamaica Medical Center, and is currently on the staff of NY area hospitals.

Dr. Fox and Advanced Dermatology and The Center for Laser & Cosmetic Surgery have been used as a resource center educating dermatologists, laser surgeons and cosmetic surgeons and others about lasers, cancer and cosmetic surgery. www.AdvancedD.com..