Problem Areas Around the Eyes? Simple Solutions

The skin around your eyes reveals quite a bit about your overall health and true age.

This skin is thin, delicate, and has no oil glands. Plus, it's constantly moving—folding into the 10,000+ facial expressions you make each day. To protect the skin around the eyes and keep it looking as youthful as possible, follow these simple tips.

Problem: Under-eye circles

Culprit: Heredity, genetics, vitamin deficiencies, medications, allergies/congestion.

Solutions:

  • Press a cold compress to the eye area in order to temporarily shrink dilated blood vessels.
  • If you suffer from allergies, try a sinus rinse.
  • Introduce products that contain mild alpha hydroxy acids to exfoliate and thicken the skin, and vitamin C to plump it.
  • Ask your dermatologist about a bleaching cream like hydroquinone to help lighten hereditarily darkened skin.

Problem: Red, itchy, dry skin

Culprit: Contact dermatitis (likely allergic reaction)

Solutions:

  • Discontinue any products you're currently using.
  • Talk to your doctor about a hydrocortisone cream.

Problem: Puffiness

Culprit: Dehydration, fluid retention, allergies, hormone levels, heredity.

Solutions:

  • Choose eye creams containing retinol, AHA's, and caffeine.
  • Drink extra water and reduce sodium in your diet.
  • Elevate your head when you sleep.

Problem: Crow's feet

Culprit: Aging, sun damage, dehydration.

Solutions: 

  • Choose an anti-aging eye serum or oil to soften the appearance of fine lines.
  • Botox or filler injections can plump wrinkled areas.
  • Laser skin resurfacing can polish wrinkles and stimulate collagen production.
  • For extreme cases, talk to a plastic surgeon about a temporal face lift or lateral brow lift.

Problem: Baggy, sagging skin and/or drooping lids

Culprit: Reduced collagen production due to aging.

Solutions:

  • Choose topical lotions that stimulate collagen production.
  • Talk to a plastic surgeon about eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty).

Smart Eye Care Tips

No matter what kind of shape the skin around your eyes is currently in, the following tools are your best friends in fighting premature aging and protecting this delicate area:

  • Sunscreen. Be careful to choose one that can be applied near the eye without irritation and to avoid eyes when applying.
  • Sunglasses. These are critical for protecting your eyes and the area around them.
  • Lotions, serums, and treatments formulated for the eye area. These specific formulations will be more gentle to eyes and good for targeting that delicate skin.  


Sources:

Eye Doctor Guide
http://www.eyedoctorguide.com/eye_problems/puffy_eyes_puffy_eyelids.html

Plastic Surgery Association
http://www1.plasticsurgery.org/ebusiness4/ProductCatalog/pdf/brochures/
Cosmetic_Plastic_Surgery.pdf

Facial Plastic Surgery
http://www.facialplasticsurgery.net/laser_resurfacing.htm
http://www.facialplasticsurgery.net/face_lift.htm