I TRANSFORMED MY EYES WITH THESE SIMPLE TRICKS

Posted Tuesday April 30th, 2019

Sometimes, despite the solid seven to nine hours of sleep we’ve put in AND feeling perfectly rested, we still look like crap. For the majority of us, we have to contend with dark circles and / or puffy eyes no matter what we do. Besides the lack of sleep, we delve into other possible reasons that could be responsible for our less than attractive peepers.

Allergies

One reason why eyes may appear puffier than usual could be due to an allergic reaction. Allergies release a chemical known as histamine which can dilate blood vessels and this leads to increased blood flow to the areas under the eyes. Other side effects of histamine include itchiness, which can cause swelling, inflammation and the accumulation of fluid under the eyes, which then lends the appearance of dark circles and tired looking eyes.

To try: Allergies can be easily treated with antihistamine medication which you can purchase over the counter from your local pharmacy.

Eye strain

Digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome (yes, there’s actually a medical term for it) occurs when you stare at your computer or even other digital device for hours on end. Eye strain could happen for a number of reasons, including viewing small print and pixelated images that are difficult to read, and over exposure to blue light, also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light, emitted from digital devices. Eye strain could cause blood vessels around your eyes to dilate and the increase in blood flow and aggravate the appearance of dark circles and tired eyes.

To try: It’s not easy when we’re busy but do try to make a conscious effort to follow the 20/20/20 rule where every 20 minutes, take a break from your computer or digital devices and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Dehydration

Did you know that up to 60% of the human adult body is water? Needless to say, water and its hydrating properties are essential for the day to day function of the human body. Dehydration on the other hand is not only detrimental to our health, it can also make us feel and look tired. Skin around the eyes, in particular are very thin and are more sensitive to hydration or lack of.

To try: A daily moisturiser that’s specific for your eyes such as DREAM CREAM Calm & Restore My Eyes, that doubles up as a moisturiser and an eye firming cream, to improve the look of wrinkles and discolouration around the eyes.

Excessive under-eye pigment

For some, they are just genetically predisposed to having more melanin in theirs skin which can lead darker circles under their eyes. You can do a simple test on your own to determine whether what you’re dealing with is just blood vessels or pigment. Simply place your finger firmly on your undereye area, lift it and if you see that the circle has lessened and the area becomes dark again, that means the circle is made up of blood vessels. But if after lifting your finger and there isn’t a lightening of the area, then you know it’s excess pigment.

To try: Daily sunscreen is a must and remember to extend the sun protection to your eye area. Either find a sunscreen that’s specific for the eye area or get a sunscreen that’s gentle enough to be used on the undereye too. Do not drag the skin as you’re applying the sunscreen, simply pat firmly and you’re good to go.

Bone structure

Beyond skin deep, the way your bone is structured and formed can also have an effect on the way your undereye looks, depending on the way it interacts with the skin and fat around the eye area. A deep tear trough can create an obvious semicircle around the undereye, highlighting the hollows and enhancing the appearance of dark circles.

To try: Hollowness and sunken eye sockets can be given a new lease of life with fillers. Dramatically improve the appearance of your undereye with Revitalift Eye using hyaluronic acid.

Prominent veins

The skin around our eyes is extremely thin and makes it easy for blood under the skin to show through, so the dark eye circles that you see may not be an indication of poor health or rest, but just a physiological make up of your body.

To try: Besides filling out hollowness in your eye sockets, fillers can also help to minimise the appearance of veins beneath your eyes.

Your age

We all know that as we get older, the signs of aging inevitably shows, especially in areas around our eyes where skin here is so thin. As we age, collagen production breaks down and skin starts to lose its elasticity. Skin then becomes thinner and blood vessels are more prominent as a result. The cumulative effects of aging can have a dramatic impact on the way we look.

Read More: The Plasma Eye Lift

To try: There are now lasers that can be used to treat the delicate area around your eye. Smartx Lite Eye is a gold standard fractionated carbon dioxide laser that helps to contract and tighten the skin by restoring the skin’s elasticity for a more rejuvenated and refreshed appearance. All without the need for surgery!