For Your Eyes Only

The eyes are your lens on the world, the first place that shows what you are feeling and the first place to show the signs of aging. No matter what your point of view, everyone has at least one eye area concern they'd like to fix. Be a good pupil and study these problems and solutions:

Ask the Esthetician:

Q: How do I treat puffiness?
A: There are several things that can contribute to puffiness in the eye area including lack of sleep, allergies, water retention, and most commonly, a genetic pre-disposition. To help treat morning puffiness, make sure to get adequate rest, sleep with your head slightly elevated and use a good eye cream. Caffeine, Aloe Vera, Cucumber Extract and Green Tea are ingredients commonly found in eye creams to effectively reduce puffiness.

Q: What are the best treatments to diminish dark circles?
A: Some of the best ingredients to look for in a treatment for dark circles under the eyes would be Peptides, Vitamin K, Chamomile, Green Tea and Vitamin C. Peptides and Vitamin K aid in circulation, Vitamin C helps to lighten and Chamomile and Green Tea help to calm and soothe. Keep in mind that unfortunately, topical treatments may not be very effective on dark circles that are caused by heredity or an illness.

Q: How do I reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles?
A: Fine lines, or ‘crow's feet’, can be minimized by treatments that contain ingredients like Peptides, Retinoids, Antioxidants and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) that help stimulate collagen production and plump the eye area. Make sure if you use a product with a Retinol or AHA base that it is specifically for the eye area. In order to prevent further damage, use an eye cream with antioxidants and/or SPF.

Q: How do I acheive fuller, stronger eyelashes and brows?
A: In most cases the thinning of eyelashes and brows occurs as we age due to the weakening of the hair follicles. These areas can also be affected by more serious health concerns, such as chemotherapy and Alopecia. Lash growth enhancers have become increasing popular in recent years, with many of these formulas achieving remarkable results. For non-prescription options, look for ingredients like Peptides, Proteins and conditioning agents. These products can help stimulate hair follicles and strengthen existing hair, allowing it to flourish.

Q: Is there a non-surgical solution for droopy eyelids?
A: Topical treatments are no substitute for surgical results, but there are some eye creams that can help to firm and plump the skin around the eye area. Similar to recommendations for fine lines and crow’s feet, helpful ingredients to look for would be firming Peptides to tighten up the skin and Retinoids to help to stimulate collagen production. Make sure if you use a product with a Retinol base that it is formulated specifically for the eye area.

Q: Is it necessary to buy a separate cream to hydrate the eye area?
A: It isn’t always necessary to buy another moisturizer specifically for the eye area, but most women prefer to. If the skin around your eyes is a different texture (oily, dry) than the rest of your face you should definitely use a separate product. Some key ingredients to look for include water binding agents such as Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Urea or Amino Acids. The skin around the eye area is thinner than your facial skin and does not have any pores, so always treat it gently.