Effects of skin ageing around our eyes.
It is beyond any doubt that over time, our skin gets looser and thinner for a variety  of reasons. Two of them are the progressive impairment of the skin’s ability to regenerate structural elements, such as collagen and elastin and the reduction of the underlying fat layers that provide volume and support to the skin. Although this is an inevitable and normal process, frequent and excessive exposure to sunlight, limited water intake, smoking, unhealthy diet, inadequate sleep and stressful lifestyle can contribute to premature skin ageing.
If we consider that the skin around our eyes is the thinnest in our body, we can understand why these areas are the most vulnerable and can easily give clear signs of our age, or physical and sometimes psychological state. The most typical problems that may occur due to skin ageing are puffy eyes, buggy eyes, dark cycles and wrinkling. The occurrence and severity of the above conditions depends, apart of the extrinsic ageing factors, on the type of the skin. For instance, sensitive and dry skin can be affected more easily. Moreover, fair people are more prone to skin aging around the eyes than others with a darker complexion.
Puffy eyes.
Puffy eyes typically occur, when we wake up in the morning. This happens because of water retention which in turn leads to swelled area around the eyes. The condition is usually temporary and easily reversible, although sometimes can be persistent, depending on the causative factors.
Loose skin is the most common reason for puffy eyes.
Normally, when we lie in a resting horizontal position, the fluids in the head increase.
If the skin around the eyes is not firm enough to resist to the higher internal pressure, it swells and makes the eyes seem puffy.
Other causes may include hereditary factors, allergies, sinusitis, stressful life, hormonal changes, dermatitis, high blood pressure, dehydration, thyroid or renal disorders and medications that can contribute to water retention. Numerous eye conditions, such as blepharitis, trachoma, glaucoma and chalazion, may be responsible for puffy eyes, as well.
Puffy eyes can cause blurry vision and occasional itching. Apart from that, they make the person to look tired and older.
Remedies for puffy eyes.
These are very simple and effective, providing there isn’t any underlying pathological condition. If puffy eyes persist, after you try the following, you may need a doctor’s advice.
 Use a reliable cream on the skin around the eye before and after sleep, in order to keep your skin healthy and firm. Keep the cream in the fridge, since low temperature makes it more effective. Before you use the preparation in the morning you may want to follow the steps below.
Wash your face with cold water.
Apply a moist and cooled tea bag on each eye for a few minutes.
Apply a slice of cold cucumber on each eye for nearly five minutes.
Other measures you can take to prevent or minimize the puffy eyes effect include:
The reduction of dietary salt intake.
The increase of water intake.
The use of an additional pillow to bring the head in a higher position, while sleeping.
The removal of any contact lenses before bed time.
Precautions related to puffy eyes.
Do not rub your eyes, because this will irritate them and worsen the problem.
There is a notion among the public that hemorrhoid creams can help. Do not try that, since it has not been verified clinically. Improper use of such a cream may result in skin tenderness or eye inflammation.
Baggy eyes.
This is the aftermath of fat accumulation underneath the skin in the area below the lower eyelid. Baggy eyes occur when the septum surrounding the eye socket gets progressively weak and allows part of the fat contained in the orbital area around the eyeball to come through and build up in a lower position. The result of this process is the appearance of swollen areas; bellow the eyes, resembling small pouches.
Prevention of baggy eyes and treatment at a very early stage involve the use of relevant skin care creams, in order skin firmness to be sustained. Studies have given evidence that avoidance of smoking minimizes the risk for baggy eyes. If the condition has been established and it is in a late phase, cosmetic surgery is the only reliable option for treatment of baggy eyes.
Dark circles.
Dark circles appear below the lower eyelid and in most of the cases they are considered a reversible condition. Dark circles occur due to the increased amounts of melanin; a substance that gives the characteristic skin pigmentation. Another factor that may contribute to the appearance of dark circles is the progressive skin thinning which, in turn, makes the blood vessels underneath more apparent with their darker color.
People with fair complexion are more susceptible to dark circles. Causative factors include hereditary patterns, smoking, excessive sun exposure, inadequate sleep, fatigue, dehydration and pathological conditions, such as kidney malfunction or thyroid disorders.
Prevention and treatment of dark circles.
The use of a reliable eye cream is the first step to this direction. Such preparations can delay ageing and maintain moisture, thickness and firmness of the skin around the eyes. Apart from that, daily sleep of at least eight hours, adequate water intake, moderate alcohol drinking, consistent use of a high SPF sunscreen and smoking cessation are very important. Cold compresses can be a fast-acting remedy, since they help in constriction of the blood vessels located underneath the skin. Such a result makes dark circles to disappear, if they are due to thin skin.
Skin wrinkling.
The most typical examples are the expression wrinkles in between the eyes and the fine ones starting from the corner of the eye. The latest are commonly known as “crow’s feet”. Such wrinkles occur, because the skin in this area is very thin and contains a limited number of sebaceous glands. As a result of that the skin gets easily dry, less elastic and susceptible to wrinkling.
Prevention and treatment of wrinkling around the eyes.
High SPF sunscreens and eye creams are the prime means for prevention and treatment. Smoking cessation, drinking plenty of water, moderate exposure to sunlight and to cold windy weather are very important precautions and can delay or control wrinkling.
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