Two-laser approach combats aging around the eyes — dark circles, sunken eyes, bags under the eyes — without incisions, fillers or injections.

Technology has been a driving force for improving nearly every aspect of healthcare. In the span of a generation, complex procedures and traumatic surgeries have been surpassed by new treatments that are safer, less traumatic, and more effective.

As a case in point, consider how cosmetic and aesthetic procedures have been transformed by advances in laser technology — including the recently-launched Fotona 4D series of skin rejuvenation and resurfacing treatments. The Eye Center at Bumrungrad International Hospital now offers Fotona 4D laser technology to treat problem areas around the eyes, while Bumrungrad's Skin (Dermatology) Center offers a range of Fotona 4D full facial and neck treatments.

The periorbital impact of aging

Most of the changes brought on by the aging process are internal, so they occur out of sight. But each time we look in the mirror, the first thing we notice is the area around the eyes — the periorbital area. That is where the impact of aging reveals itself in dark circles under the eyes, puffiness, bags under the eyes, and sunken eyes.

As we age, we are more likely to develop dark circles and appear to have sunken eyes. That is caused by a combination of the skin becoming thinner, pigmentation, and blood vessel dilation.

Eye bags tend to form with age due to the weakening of muscles and tissues that support the eyelids. As the skin begins to sag, fat tends to shift and accumulate in the area under the eyes.

How Fotona 4D works

Here is a brief look at the Fotona 4D procedure:

• Skin improvements: The Fotona 4D laser technology — an alternative to injectable fillers and Botox injections — offers significant potential for rejuvenating the skin and restoring a more youthful appearance to the area around the eyes. The two-laser combination stimulates the skin's existing collagen and promotes new collagen production, which increases skin tightness and elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

• Reactions and side effects: The vast majority of patients enjoy a pain-free treatment experience with little or no discomfort. A small number of patients develop minor skin irritation, redness and/or swelling that clears up within a few hours. Fotona 4D is billed as a "no downtime" procedure that allows patients to resume normal activities without limitations or recovery periods.

• Recommended treatment protocol: For optimal results, it's recommended that patients repeat the treatment series a total of three to four times at one-month intervals.

To learn more about the Fotona 4D procedure, or to schedule a consultation with a highly-trained ophthalmologist, contact Bumrungrad's Eye Center at +66 2011 3891, or make an appointment online .

Fotona 4D full facial aesthetic treatments

The Skin (Dermatology) Center at Bumrungrad International Hospital is led by a team of more than 20 highly experienced skin specialists using the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment to serve patients with skin disorders and medical conditions. The center also offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery, non-surgical and non-invasive aesthetic dermatology treatments, including Fotona 4D. To learn more, call +66 2011 2222, or visit www.bumrungrad.com/en/skin-dermatology-center-bangkok-thailand

Written by Dr. Nussra Taechanukulchai, Dermatologist, Bumrungrad International Hospital