Dark Eye Circles and Eye Bags

Dark Eye Circles and Eye Bags

Despite what most people think, stress or lack of sleep are not the primarily causes of dark eye circles. Actually, micro capillaries that leak blood close to the skin’s surface cause the dark circles. When this blood begins to oxidize, it turns a bluish red color, similar to a bruise. Since the skin under the eyes is very thin and translucent, the under eye bruises appear more prominent. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and dark circles are likely to become more noticeable and permanent.

Puffiness below the eyes is commonly referred to as eye bags. There is the transient type, caused by crying, wrong sleeping habits, or allergic reactions. This transient type is due to fluid accumulation under the eye area. There is also the permanent type that is related to heredity and age. Such permanent puffiness is caused by increase in size of fat pad below the eyelids.

Preparation H has been touted to reduce eye puffiness.  However, there is no clinical evidence to show that the product designed to shrink hemorrhoid can do the same for eye bags. Besides, Preparation H has been reformulated, and “live yeast cell,” one of the ingredients that is supposed to reduce puffiness is no longer part of the formula.

HYALIFT helps address the twin problems of
dark eye circles and transient under-eye puffiness.

SkinStation introduced late last year the HYALIFT Eye Repair Duo to address the twin problems of dark circles and eye bags. It has an icy metal roller ball tip that cools and massages the eye area to reduce transient puffiness. Its one-of-a-kind formula is a blend of tourmaline and caffeine extract that increases microcirculation to decongest dark circles, plus Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, antioxidants, peptide and other anti-aging components to boost collagen production and help erase fine lines and wrinkles. The ingredients are nano-encapsulated for faster and consistent results.

For removal of moderate to severe puffiness (eye bags) due to aging, the usual procedure is plastic surgery called blepharoplasty. With blepharoplasty, hoods and bags can be removed but the eyelid skin may remain wrinkled and old looking.

Our doctors at SkinStation have successfully used PIXEL (Erbium:YAG fractional laser) in smoothing and tightening  the lower eyelid skin. PIXEL creates controlled wounding of the skin, to grow new collagen. Although the skin in this area is thin, the laser is precise in its depth of treatment. The skin of the lower lid actually tends to heal faster than skin in other areas of the body. To get good result, more than one treatment is needed. With PIXEL, a truly fresh and rejuvenated eyelid appearance is now possible, including softening of crow’s feet.

There are other new, non-surgical rejuvenation procedures that work well for fine lines and wrinkles of the eyelids. Botox and Dysport give instant effect. Dysport injection techniques have undergone recent changes to avoid the frozen look. Radiofrequency (RF) and IPL photo rejuvenation procedures can tighten the skin.

Consult your doctor whether you are a candidate for any of the above procedures, or if eye creams and lifestyle changes are sufficient to address your concerns. It would feel good to finally say goodbye to your concealer and make-up to camouflage dark circles and eye bags.

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This was published in the August 28, 2012 issue of Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Section. The author , Fred C. Reyes, is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.