Whatever your sexual preference, the eyes have it

A survey of more than 2,000 men and women of different sexualities revealed the most attractive part of the body – and it’s all in the eyes.

Almost 70% of gay women and more than 80% of straight men admire the eyes more than any other body part.

The survey, conducted by FitRated.com, simply confirms what plastic surgeons have known for a while – that an increasing number of us believe our eyes have an important role to play in the overall aesthetics of our faces.

According to the 2015 statistics from the British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) was the second most popular procedure, having increased 12% for both men and women, with a whopping 8,689 procedures taking place.

Meanwhile, browlifts came in at number nine with 2,110 treatments, an increase of 7%.

Both are an easy fix for those of us looking to turn back the clock – plastic surgeons suggest that such surgery around the eyes can slice 10 to 15 years off the way we look, rejuvenating the whole face as a result.

Lower eyelid surgery has become increasingly popular among both men and women looking to restore their youthful look and get rid of the bags under their eyes.

When skin around the eye becomes looser with age and the ravages of time, the weight of the lobe becomes too much for the eyelid, loosening the membrane and causing the fat within the membrane to create a shadow; hence those much-hated bags under the eyes, that no amount of skin cream is ever going to correct.

Eyelid surgery removes excess skin or fat from the eyelids, improving hooded or droopy eyelids or eye bags. The effects are immediate, with very little downtime.

Mostly, we opt for this procedure for cosmetic reasons, but it can impair our sight.

As we age, it's common to have excess skin above the upper eyelids that can overhang and even impair our vision.

Other cosmetic treatments we may wish to consider include chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser therapy, injectable skin fillers and Botox that can help improve skin wrinkles and lines.

And, whilst you might be considering eye surgery as an anti-ageing measure, what preventative steps can you take in the meantime to keep your eyes youthful?

1. Get your beauty sleep. It may seem an old wives’ tale but a good night’s rest really is a natural anti-ageing measure and regenerates us mentally and physically
2. Factor in some healthy habits, A healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, helps to reduce the formation of those unwanted lines, wrinkles and blemishes
3. Act shady. It is important to limit exposure to sunlight, even during these winter months. Lines can develop due to UV damage. Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s rays and the sensitive skin around them
4. Switch off. If your job involves an eight-hour day working on a computer, make sure you take those breaks. Additionally, limit the time spent on your smartphone, tablet and so on when relaxing, too
5. Turn down the heat. Central heating is renowned for drying out skin. Dry and flaky skin around the eyes can lead to itching and discomfort as well as make eyes look older than they really are by accentuating crow’s feet
6. Go easy on yourself. Over use of cosmetics and rough make up remover or cleansing habits can cause damage to the sensitive skin around the eyes so be gentle and avoid harsh ingredients in eye make-up remover
Ask an Expert
Find a practitioner