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Real Solutions to Under-Eye Bags, Sags and Dark Circles
By gunnar
Cause
Under-eye dark circles and bags are a result of swollen blood vessels that cause the delicate under-eye skin to bulge. Additional causes of dark circles include:
Shrunken under-eye fat pads and a deterioration of collagen & elastin that render the under-eye skin virtually translucent to the blood vessels just below the surface.
Dry under-eye skin, caused by damage to the skin's protective barrier (stratum corneum).
A dense concentration of tiny blood vessels lies just below the surface of the under-eye skin. These blood vessels drain through the veins in the nose. They can become enlarged when there is: i) nasal congestion caused by allergies, sinus infection or colds; or ii) a build-up of toxins due to poor lymphatic drainage - brought on by factors such as, stress, fatigue, illness or overindulgence (e.g. alcohol). This swelling causes bulges (bags) to form just below the eyes; and their purplish color becomes more apparent through the paper-thin under-eye tissue – giving the appearance of dark circles.
Further, over time the anatomy of our face changes, which may pre-dispose some of us to develop dark circles as we age. The infraorbital fat pad (the fatty layer located just above the cheek bone and below the eye) becomes thinner. Also, the skin tissue itself thins, due to a deterioration of collagen & elastin (the connective tissues that give skin its firmness and elasticity). Together, these factors can make the under-eye skin virtually translucent to the concentration of purplish blood vessels just below the surface.
Finally, dark circles can also form when the under-eye skin is dry and dehydrated. This dehydration is caused by damage to the skin's protective barrier – also known as the stratum corneum, which creates a deficiency of water and sebum (oil) in the skin cells. When this happens, water evaporates and the under-eye skin can become dry and hallowed looking.
Treatment
The eyes are the focal point of the face and help give it its own special beauty. Hallowed, baggy eyes can add years to your age, while sparkling eyes can brighten your face and create the appearance of youth. To feature your eyes, you need to care of the delicate area around them. Here's what we recommend to age-proof your eyes and treat under-eye bags and dark circles:
1. Swollen blood vessels
To prevent the swelling of under-eye blood vessels:
Minimize exposure to allergens, such as air pollution and pollen
Get adequate rest - 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night
Limit overindulgences – alcohol and salty foods in particular
To stimulate circulation and flush excess fluids, use specially formulated under-eye treatments that contain: Anti-inflammatory enzymes, such as our EverLift Anti-aging Serum with cucumber extract, and
Decongesting antioxidants and amino acids, such as the EverLight UnderEye Diffuser, also by EverWell.
2. Thin under-eye skin
Be sure to use a sunscreen on a daily basis to prevent damage to the skin's connective tissues (collagen & elastin). Also, supply the skin with special collagen & elastin rebuilding ingredients such as, hydrocotyl extract and echinacea. These ingredients are powerhouses when it comes to repairing and preventing the breakdown of collagen & elastin. Our EverLift Anti-aging Serum contains a potent concentration of hydrocotyl extract and echinacea, which has been clinically proven to improve skin density and smoothen lines.
3. Undereye dryness:
Supply the skin with plenty of humectants and emollients. Humectants supplement the skin's impaired water retention capabilities. These substances attract water to the skin and help keep it there. Also, by supplying the skin with emollients, (substances which resemble the skin's own sebum oil), we can replicate the role of the skin's protective barrier by trapping and sealing in moisture. EverWell's EverLight UnderEye Diffuser is rich in emollients and humectants; such as natural shea butter, as well as avocado, sunflower, carrot and olive oils, which deliver dense hydration to the delicate under-eye tissues.
Myths
M. Dark skin pigments cause under-eye dark circles.
F. The truth is that the dark-bluish color attributed with dark circles is due to the color of the densely concentrated blood vessels that can be seen through the thin, translucent under-eye skin – So actually, the lighter the undereye skin pigment (color), the more apparent dark circles become.
M. Excess under-eye fat causes dark circles.
F. While the under-eye area contains fat pads, under-eye bags are usually the result of a pooling of excess bodily fluids in that area. This is most often caused by: nasal congestion or a build-up of toxins, due to poor lymphatic drainage - brought on by factors such as, stress, fatigue, illness or overindulgence (e.g. alcohol).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Should I use an under-eye treatment that contains caffeine?
A. No. Due to its high tannin content, caffeine constricts the blood vessels, resulting in a temporary tightening and firming of the skin. When ingredients with high tannin content are repeatedly applied to the skin, they can cause wrinkling, dryness and irritation. To view a list of harmful ingredients found in skin care products, click here.
Q. I am fair skinned and the dark circles under my eyes really seem to stand out. Why?
A. Fair skinned people in particular complain about pronounced undereye dark circles. This is because dark blue blood vessels often stand in sharp contrast to lightly pigmented (colored) skin. Try EverWell's EverLight UnderEye Diffuser with skin illuminating microspheres to deflect light away from the eye contour area and minimize the appearance of dark circles.
Recommended Products
EverLight UnderEye Diffuser Delivers dense hydration to the under-eye skin. Contains skin illuminating microspheres to minimize the appearance of dark circles.
EverLift Anti-Aging Serum Flushes excess fluids & toxins from the under-eye area. Repairs and prevents the breakdown of collagen & elastin.
About the Author
By: Trish Mc Carthy May, 2005
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/3001.html
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