Tag Archive for: Puffiness

Beauty and the Beach: What you need to know

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; so don’t take yours for granted. Proper sun care includes protecting the eyes with sunglasses and proper products. Not only can the delicate eye tissue of the upper and lower lids get sunburned but the actual eye cells can be damaged from years of overexposure to UV rays. Below Dr. G suggests a few solutions for keep the eyes youthful looking and safe.

photo via @margoandme

Dr. G recommends:

Sunglasses

  • The bigger and darker the better
  • Sunglasses should cover the entire eye- think Jackie O!
  • The darker the lens the more protection
  • Wrap around shades if exercising or working in direct sun

SPF

  • Eye tissue is 15% thinner than facial skin-protect it!
  • SPF must be worn around the eye area
  • 10% of skin cancers are around the eye area
  • Crows feet love sun damaged skin

After sun products

The kiddies

  • Children have larger pupils than adults which allows more sun in
  • Encourage hats
  • Choose a clean SPF and apply everywhere
  • Encourage kids to wear sunglasses (Velcro wrap around glasses)
  • Goggles in the water as eye can be susceptible to UV rays off the water reflection

 

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Eyes Notes part 3 ~ DIY + Ingredients to choose

Dark circles and puffiness under the eyes result from blood escaping from tiny facial capillaries that have been compromised. Topical products in conjunction with a few easy DIY tips can get your eye area healthy, hydrated and bright!

 

Do It Yourself ideas:

Dr. G says, “Sleep with your head slightly elevated. Fluid retention occurs while we sleep because we are lying flat and circulation can be affected. Excess sugar, salt and alcohol will add to fluid retention. Consumption of all these pollutants can escalate swelling and puffiness to the eyes and face.”

OR

  • Try sleeping on a silk pillowcase. This will keep skin from drying out as cotton absorbs oil.
  • Sleeping on silk pillowcases or wearing a silk eye mask can also help reduce face lines/creases in the morning and not tug on the skin as you move throughout the night (less wrinkles)!
  • Put a cool air humidifier next to the bed to keep skin hydrated
  • Ice in the morning can help relieve puffiness
  • Lymphatic drainage (start near the tear duct and massage upwards and across the brow bone. Pay attention to the sinus area as well)
  • Try keeping Red tea bags in the freezer. Red Tea helps with inflammation and redness!

Ingredients to look for in topical eye treatments

  • Arnica + Vitamin K- Arnica is used for muscle soreness and inflammation and Vitamin K is helps to stop bruising and bleeding under the skin. A powerhouse combo!
  • Soy + Rice bran peptides- have been shown to inhibit elastase and collagenase, (these break down collagen and elastin in the skin) and can help the skin retain its natural firmness.
  • Quinoa seed extract-high levels of Riboflavins-protein to rebuild thinning skin
  • Caffeine- depuffs!
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The Eye Notes part 1

During the month of February we are going to take a deeper look (no pun intended) at the eye area and why it often shows the first signs of age. Below are the common complaints and issues everyone struggles with, how to prevent and battle them. Take a look…

Image via About Style

Puffiness

What causes it?

The skin of the eye region is much thinner and more delicate than facial skin and contains less collagen to begin with. Thinner skin is more prone to filling easier with fluid, thus causing puffiness. As we age so do the muscles of the eye regions. The muscles in the eyelids will begin to sag from normal aging and gravity and may appear hooded, adding to the puffy appearance of the eye.

Solutions:

Use anti-inflammatory ingredients such as caffeine, Red Tea, oatmeal, caffeine, and cucumber. Try and eat a diet low in salt and sleep with your head slightly elevated to ward off edema.

Dark circles

What they are?

The break down of the fibrous network composed of proteins, elastin, and collagen, resulting in thinner skin in the eye region as you age. Facial expressions like laughing, frowning or rubbing further contribute to the destruction of the skin proteins and stimulate the formation of wrinkles (crow’s feet), dark circles, and bags under the eyes. Dark circles usually mean there is lack of microcirculation.

What causes them?

Dark circles can be hereditary, from allergies and rubbing the eye area. Dehydration and lack of sleep can sometimes cause them as well.

Solutions/prevention:

Retinoids (Vitamin A), brightening ingredients such as Vitamin B, Vitamin K, Arnica, Soy and Rice Bran Peptides. Riboflavin and protein heavy ingredients such as Quinoa can help tremendously.

Under eye wrinkles

What causes them?

Facial expressions like laughing, frowning or rubbing further contribute to the destruction of the skin proteins and stimulate the formation of wrinkles (crow’s feet).

Solutions?

Always wear protective eyewear/sunglasses when outdoors. Always wear SPF. Try not to pull or stretch that area of the eye, particularly when removing or applying makeup. Hydrate and treat the eye area with Retinoids, Vitamin C and protein rich ingredients such as quinoa extract.

 Crows feet

What causes them?

The natural aging process causes them due to expressions like laughing, smiling and frowning. Facial expressions like laughing, frowning, tugging and rubbing can contribute to the destruction of the skin proteins and stimulate the formation of wrinkles (crow’s feet).

Solutions?

Try to limit the amount of tugging and rubbing on this area. Be particularly careful when applying or removing makeup. Do not over expose this area to sun, always wear sunglasses and a hat along with SPF for protection. Try and get an ample amount of sleep, eat a low salt diet, use topical Retinoids and peptides, Vitamin C and protein-rich ingredients to aid in the rebuilding of the skin. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase may also reduce the tugging of your skin on cotton.

 Crepey + Sagging skin

What causes it?

Not unlike wrinkles, crepey and sagging (a natural part of aging), skin is due to a loss of collagen and protein fiber breakdown. As we age our body produces less collagen thus skin begins to lose elasticity and plumpness and becomes more susceptible to the tug of gravity. Crepey and sagging skin can occur on both the lids and under the eyes.

Solutions?

Try to limit the amount of tugging and rubbing on this area. Be particularly careful when applying or removing makeup. Do not over expose this area to sun, always wear sunglasses and a hat along with SPF for protection. Try and get an ample amount of sleep, eat a low salt diet, use topical Retinoids, Vitamin C and protein rich ingredients to aid in the rebuilding of the skin. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase may also reduce the tugging of your skin on cotton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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