If you are stressed or tired, feel bad, have an allergy or are simply witnessing the effects of the natural aging process, the skin around the eyes is often one of the first areas to be affected. Fortunately, there are many solutions to treat common ailments such as dark circles, wrinkles, puffiness and dryness. Many of them can be alleviated with the help of over-the-counter treatments, prescription medications, or adopting a new lifestyle. If the problem is more difficult to treat, surgery may be considered.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Minimize Dark Circles
Step 1. See a dermatologist to determine the cause of the dark circles
The choice of the most appropriate and effective treatment to combat hyperpigmentation of the eye contour depends on the cause of the disorder. A dermatologist can help you determine which one is best for your needs. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Allergies;
- Dermatitis;
- Fatigue;
- Irritation in the eye area due to rubbing or scratching;
- Damage caused by the sun;
- Water retention;
- Thinning of the skin due to skin aging;
- Genetic predisposition to suffer from hyperpigmentation in the periocular area (a factor particularly common among black people).
Step 2. Avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent possible irritation and pigmentation changes
Rubbing or scratching your eyes can irritate the skin and cause small blood vessels in the eye area to rupture, leading to dark circles or spots. If you have a bad habit of rubbing your eyes, over time you risk contracting a condition called chronic lichen simplex (LSC), which causes the skin to thicken and darken. If you don't fall into the temptation to touch your eyes, you can have them beautiful and healthy.
- If you can't stop rubbing your eyes, see a dermatologist for suggestions on how to combat this bad habit.
- A dermatologist can also identify and treat any conditions that cause you to rub or rub your eyes frequently, such as eczema or dry eyes.
Step 3. Use a cold compress to constrict dilated blood vessels
In some cases, dark circles are due to the dilation of the blood vessels found in the eye area. Since the skin around the eyes is particularly thin, the blood vessels under the skin tend to show through, causing a bluish tinge to form. Put a metal spoon in the refrigerator to cool or wrap a bag of frozen peas with a soft cloth and place it on the eye area for about 10 minutes to narrow the blood vessels. You can also use cold green tea bags.
Step 4. Take antihistamines or nasal steroids to combat allergic dark circles
Seasonal or environmental allergies can cause dark circles and puffiness. If your dark circles are due to an allergic reaction, take an over-the-counter medicine or ask your doctor to prescribe one to help you combat the symptoms.
Step 5. Shower before bed
Washing before going to sleep helps clear the nasal passages, fighting allergies and eye swelling. While you're in the shower, wash your face to get rid of any dirt that has accumulated around your eyes, thus preventing them from being irritated by harmful substances.
Step 6. Get enough sleep to make dark circles less noticeable
When you sleep little, your skin can appear pale, accentuating dark circles even more. To combat them, make sure you get seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
Step 7. Apply retinoid cream to promote collagen formation and reduce pigmentation
Retinoids help fight dark circles in several ways. In addition to promoting cell regeneration, they promote the removal of cells that have undergone discolouration or a hyperpigmentation process. They also stimulate collagen production and make subcutaneous blood vessels less visible. Talk to a dermatologist to ask if it is possible for you to use retinoids or retinoic acid creams to reduce dark circles.
Since retinoids can cause irritation, try not to abuse them, especially on the delicate skin around the eyes. Your dermatologist may suggest that you gradually increase the doses over several weeks, so that the skin can get used to the active ingredients
Step 8. Try a lightening cream to combat hyperpigmentation
If the dark circles are due to a hyperpigmentation process, a substance with lightening properties such as hydroquinone or kojic acid can be effective in reducing them. Ask your dermatologist to prescribe or recommend such a cream. Follow the instructions on the package or the directions given to you by the specialist.
Some creams with lightening properties, such as Tri-Luma, also contain retinoids and steroids, which help fight inflammation and stimulate collagen production
Step 9. Get a chemical peel to remove any discolored cells
Chemical peels have the same function as retinoids, i.e. they help remove the layers of skin that have witnessed a hyperpigmentation process. Your dermatologist may recommend a glycolic acid peel, or a peel supplemented with retinoids or lightening agents.
Since the skin around the eyes is particularly delicate, try not to use homemade chemical peels for dark circles. See a dermatologist or cosmetic surgery specialist to perform the treatment
Step 10. Treat color changes affecting the eye area with the laser
Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments are effective for many of the most stubborn pigmentation changes, including telangiectasia and hyperpigmentation due to sun damage. Intense pulsed light treatments can also combat sagging skin and stimulate collagen production.
- Laser treatments may cause temporary irritation and swelling, and in some cases they can darken the skin around the eyes for some time. In rare cases, they can cause infection or scarring.
- Contact a dermatologist to find out if you can have this type of treatment.
Step 11. If you have sunken eyes, inquire about fillers
Some types of dark circles are due to the formation of deep depressions or hollows under the eyes, which can cause shadows and reveal the veins under the skin. These depressions are caused by various factors, such as genetics, weight loss, or the aging process. Ask your dermatologist if it is possible to treat them with a hyaluronic acid filler.
If used incorrectly, hyaluronic acid fillers can damage the eye area or cause swelling. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of this treatment
Method 2 of 4: Smooth Wrinkles
Step 1. To prevent wrinkles, protect your eyes from sun damage
Sun damage is one of the main causes of premature aging. Protect the delicate skin around the eyes by wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. Gently apply sunscreen around your eyes before going out. Look for a cream specifically designed for the skin in this notoriously sensitive area.
Step 2. Moisturize the skin around the eyes to combat the formation of wrinkles
Moisturizers visibly reduce wrinkles by plumping cells and making the skin softer and more supple. Choose a product specially formulated for the delicate eye area to avoid irritating the skin.
Step 3. Avoid smoking for beautiful and healthy skin
Nicotine hinders the blood supply to the epidermis, causing premature wrinkles to form. If you smoke less or quit altogether, you can visibly improve your skin and avoid the development of new wrinkles. Talk to your doctor to come up with a plan to help you break the habit.
Step 4. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and drink plenty of water to keep skin looking youthful
The correlation between diet and wrinkles is not yet fully understood, but eating foods rich in antioxidants helps to slow down skin aging and prevent the formation of furrows. To keep wrinkles in the eye area under control, follow a balanced diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables.
Step 5. Ask your dermatologist to recommend a wrinkle cream
Wrinkle creams, such as those based on retinol or coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) are effective in reducing and preventing wrinkles in the eye area. Ask your dermatologist to recommend a safe and effective product for this area.
When you need to apply a cream around the eyes, pat it gently instead of massaging it, otherwise you risk irritating the skin and causing new wrinkles to form
Method 3 of 4: Treating Bags and Swelling
Step 1. Determine the cause of the bags under the eyes
The skin around the eyes can sag or swell for various reasons. The choice of the most suitable and effective treatment depends on the cause. Talk to your dermatologist to determine the most plausible reason and to develop a treatment. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Natural loss of elasticity due to skin aging. Over the years, the skin around the eyes becomes less and less elastic and the fatty deposits around the eyes can move to the area under the lower eyelid.
- Fluid retention (edema) due to hormonal changes, heat and humidity, insufficient sleep or a sodium-rich diet
- Allergies or dermatitis;
- Hereditary factors.
Step 2. Calm the inflammation with a cold compress
Refreshing the skin around the eyes helps fight inflammation. Dampen a soft, clean sponge with cold water, then hold it on the eye area for about 5 minutes using light pressure.
Step 3. Adopt good sleeping habits to prevent fluid build-up under the eyes
Little sleep can affect eye swelling. Try to get seven to nine hours of rest a night to fight bags. Sleeping with your head elevated prevents fluid build-up under your eyes, so use a thick pillow or adjustable mattress.
Step 4. Exercise daily to relieve bags under the eyes
Exercise improves circulation and fights water retention, two factors that help visibly decrease bags and swelling. Try to train for at least 30 minutes a day.
Step 5. Treat allergies that could cause eye swelling
Allergies can cause bags or swelling as they inflame the eye tissues. Try taking a specific over-the-counter allergy medication or ask your doctor to prescribe one for you. Reduce your exposure to allergens as much as possible.
Step 6. Consider surgery for particularly severe bursae
If you don't get any results with other treatments and the bags have become a source of stress or discomfort, see a plastic surgeon. You may be recommended to have blepharoplasty, an operation that allows you to lift and firm the skin around the eyes.
- Blepharoplasty carries various risks, including eye infections, dry eyes, vision problems, tear duct detachment or eyelid dislocation.
- There are less invasive options, including laser resurfacing and chemical peels, which help firm the skin under the eyes to visibly reduce bags.
Method 4 of 4: Combat Dryness and Flaking
Step 1. Apply a cream around the eyes to maintain a good hydro-lipid balance
Moisturizers help treat and prevent dryness by keeping the skin moist. If you have skin that tends to dry out very easily, get used to using a moisturizing eye contour every day. Look for a nourishing and gentle product, free from dyes or fragrances and safe to use on the delicate skin around the eyes.
Step 2. Limit exposure to hot water to prevent skin from drying out
Washing with hot water can dry out the skin. If you have problems with dryness around the eyes, try washing your face with cold or lukewarm water. Don't take hot showers and avoid them lasting longer than 10 minutes.
Step 3. Use a mild facial cleanser to prevent dryness and irritation
Harsh soaps and cleansers can dry out and irritate the skin around the eyes. Ask your dermatologist to recommend a product that does not dry out the skin in this area.
Step 4. If you think the dryness affecting the eyelids is due to a specific condition, contact your dermatologist to treat it
If the skin around the eyes is particularly dry, peeling, red, or itchy, these problems may be symptomatic of another condition. Make an appointment with a dermatologist to investigate the possible cause and develop appropriate treatment. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Allergies, often triggered by cosmetics;
- Eczema or atopic dermatitis;
- Blepharitis (often caused by a buildup of bacteria along the lashline).
