“Are you ok? You look tired.”
Hearing this dreaded phrase can send you running to the skin clinic for immediate help. Eyes are the window to the soul and the first feature most people notice on the human face. The expression, condition and movement of the eyes play a huge role in a person’s first impression.
Unfortunately, the thin, translucent skin of the orbit area is the most fragile and vulnerable area of the face, quickly showing signs of fatigue and premature ageing.
The tired look we all dread is the result of multiple causes. Before you instantly start harvesting the newest eye products from any old skin care line, take some time to get a proper skin analysis.
A skin analysis will pay attention to texture, pigmentation and possible inflammation. We may even find congestion in the form of micro-comedones and milia from improper cleansing (oil build-up and product residue are often the culprits).
As a professional skin therapist, we are trained to recognise the array of factors potentially contributing to the tired eye effect – including puffiness, dark circles and fine lines. Our analysis is also crucial in helping our clients develop and manage realistic expectations.
For example, purplish or blue shadowing under the eyes is entirely hereditary in many people and is not significantly affected by hours of sleep. We often see this in a client who has naturally deep-set eyes due to bone structure. Additionally, this is common in people of Middle Eastern decent.
We Start With Removal
Clients sometimes complain that eye makeup removers sting their eyes, so they just do not use it. On the other hand, some clients are too harsh on the delicate skin around the eyes when cleansing, pushing melted/ dissolved makeup back into the eye area. Congestion in the skin around the eyes may suggest you are not entirely removing your eye makeup or cleansing thoroughly before bed. “Sleeping with your mascara on can also cause the eyelashes to become brittle and break easily,” said dermatologist Jeannette Graf, M. D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
A soothing cleanser for the eye area is a go-to for removing heavy eye makeup. Choose products that are alcohol free and contain silk amino acids to strengthen the lashes. If you wear stubborn, long-wearing makeup, opt for an oil-based cleanser formulated with plant oils, which are safe for the eyes. This will help break down concealing primers, heavily pigmented eyeshadow and waterproof mascara.
Our pick: DMK Milky Cleanser
Puffy Eyes
Puffiness can occur in the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. This is most likely caused by excess fluid retention in the surrounding tissues. In the case of early morning puffiness, fluids can accumulate from lack of blinking because blinking is like exercise for your eyelids. Lack of blinking during sleep is one of the reasons we wake up with puffy eyes. This type of puffiness usually subsides within an hour after waking, as the lymphatic and circulatory systems kick in.
A long day of staring at digital screens may also trigger puffiness. People normally blink about 12 to 15 times per minute, which naturally refreshes the eyes. Studies suggest computer users blink much less frequently, about four or five blinks per minute.
Of course, we can always count on hay fever to bring on the swollen lids as well. This is due to an increase in histamine, which triggers fluid retention. Natural eye irritants such as pollen and pet dander can produce itching, swelling and redness in a matter of minutes, and rubbing makes it worse and may invite conjunctivitis. Additionally, synthetic compounds used in home and office interiors may also trigger allergy-like responses.
Our remedy:
Betagel, with betaglucan to strengthen the immune cells in the tissue.
Brown and red algae also help to inhibit inflammatory mediators, which contribute to swollen, puffy eyes due to allergies. This, combined with the natural anti inflammatory properties of Seabuckthorn and is the reason why we always suggest our clients take 4x EFA’s per day.
Dark Circles
Heredity is a leading cause of dark circles. If your dark circles started as a child, you can bet it is a genetic trait. Thanks, mom and dad!
Dilated capillaries are often a contributing factor; they may get leaky, and the blood pools below the lower lashes. Most people are unaware of the structure and the nature of eye capillaries. These capillaries are so tiny in the delicate eye area, and there is not much room for red blood cells. Capillaries begin to dilate to make room, and sometimes the blood leaks out. The human body takes care of this with enzymes, but a dark purple or blue colour is left behind from the hemoglobin. Certain medications can also cause the capillaries to dilate, resulting in the same effect and leaving dark circles.
Another common culprit behind dark circles is allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) due to seasonal allergies. People who suffer from nasal allergies may experience darkness underneath the eyes when the sinuses become congested. This congestion makes it more difficult for blood to flow, and the small veins under the eyes may enlarge with pooled blood. This is referred to as allergic shiners, as it can appear like a black eye.
With this in mind, we always engage our clients in a thorough consultation and pay attention to any medications or allergies our clients have listed. Also note, changes in hormone levels (pregnancy and monthly periods) may cause an iron deficiency, which leads to paler skin. Additionally, menopause can cause an overall loss of general skin pigment as well—just as hair gets white or grey with age, skin surrenders some of its colouring. All of these conditions may make the blood that pools below the eye more noticeable.
Botanicals including butcher’s broom and red raspberry extract help to strengthen capillary walls.
Our solution: DMK Enzyme Therapy helps to strengthen the capillary walls and move stagnant blood from the capillaries. It also uses the lymphatic system to move lymph and oxygenate the tissue. Definitely a winner for anyone with dark circles!
Fine Lines
An estimated 94% of people experience premature ageing signs around the eyes, with unprotected UV exposure being a common cause.
These signs of ageing manifest as the fine lines we often refer to as dehydration lines.
Also, muscles beneath an individual’s skin may grow weaker as they age. The muscle lifting the upper eyelid can become weak, causing the upper eyelid to droop. Fine wrinkle lines and creases then appear in the delicate skin around the lids. The result is a tired, sleepy or sad look.
A third reason for fine lines around the eyes is constant eye-strain—commonly called, “computer face.” Today’s culture is addicted to digital gazing, constantly looking at phones, tablets and monitors of every size and shape. Sedentary professionals who worked long hours in front of a screen end up with deep-set wrinkles on their forehead and around their eyes according to Michael Prager, M.D., a cosmetic surgeon.
We recommend incorporating an eye treatment to firm the delicate skin around the eye and help repair free radical damage from UV exposure. Look for vitamins A, C and E to improve skin elasticity and also work as antioxidants. Eye products with silicones can help prevent dehydration by creating a protective shield over vulnerable skin.
Since our body works on circadian rhythms for energy and rest/repair, we can take advantage and treat lines and wrinkles around the clock.
To offset squinting at a computer screen for most of the day, we suggest eye treatments that include firming peptides to improve skin elasticity.
Nighttime eye treatment products containing retinol will minimise lines and reverse photo ageing.
Our hero eye creams:
Use only a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) of Eye Tone or Fine Lines. Distribute between both ring fingers. Then gently apply the product by patting around the eye orbit, moving from the outside corner in. Apply your DMK moisturiser on your 4 spots, spray with Herb and Mineral Mist then rub in together.
Professional Treatments
Professional skin treatments can also help to reduce the tired eye effect. Apart from the Enzyme Therapy and Muscle Banding we also offer a 20-minute express treatment focused only on the eye area, which includes light exfoliation and anti ageing hyaluronic mask.
Or take advantage of an add-on service such as micro current muscle re-education to lift and firm facial muscles around the eyes and brows. To optimise your professional results, follow up your treatments with a complete recommendation of home care products.
REFERENCES
1 http://dailymakeover. com/ sleeping-with-makeup/
2 www. consumerhealthdigest. com/ eye-skin-care/ uv-rays-and-your-eyes. html
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