Not All Under-eye Circles Are The Same!

Part II

So we have figured out exactly what type of under eye problem you are experiencing, now it’s time to discuss treating it. Whichever works out for you, staying committed to it and not making it a “whenever I remember” regimen will guarantee results!

If you still don’t know which type of under eye problem you have, ask Dr. Lily to help you with your treatment options. 

Hyper-pigmentation

• Avoid rubbing your eyes. Chronic rubbing can lead to thickened, dark under eye skin.
• Retinoic acid creams can help exfoliate dark pigmented skin, however, it should be used in very small amounts. If this is over-used it can cause severe skin irritation, so always consult your Dermatologist before beginning any regimen of incorporating irritating ingredients into your skincare regimen.
• Skin lightening creams can also help. Look for creams with azaleic acid, kojic acid or glycolic acid. Hydroquinone is highly successful in lightening skin under the eyes. You can find 1-2% strengths over the counter and more potent strengths can be prescribed after a consultation with your Dermatologist. 

Veins

• Eye creams that contain caffeine can constrict the underlying blood vessels and temporarily diminish small visible blood vessels.
• For large blue veins, laser treatments can be recommended however, this is not always for darker skin tones. Lasers can cause hyper pigmented scars if not used with adequate cooling techniques. Make sure you see a Dermatologist if you have moderate to dark skin. 

Puffiness

• Treat seasonal allergies with over the counter allergy medications or see your Physician for prescription medications for resistant allergies or possible sinus infections. 
• Sleeping on your side or stomach can encourage fluids to collect under your eyes. If you’re a side sleeper, you might notice a heavier bag on the side you sleep on. To help this, sleep on your back and add a pillow under your head. 
• Avoid rubbing your eyes frequently, don’t go to bed with make-up on and avoid harsh cleansers. Anything that irritates the skin can cause fluids to pool in one place. Therefore, sleeping in your eye make-up can irritate eyes which will cause edema, or swelling. 
• Placing chilled items like cucumber slices, tea bags, or a bag of frozen peas can constrict leaky blood vessels and lessen swelling of the under eye area. 
• An underlying medical condition could also be to blame. If bags appear suddenly, thyroid, cardiovascular, or kidney problems all cause under eye water retention. See your primary care physician for further evaluation. 

Hollowness

• These kinds of changes are often due to dramatic weight-loss or even genetics. 
• The best treatment for this is a small amount of hyaluronic filler injected under the delicate skin of the tear trough by a Dermatologist. This can give outstanding results if done properly. 
• See your Dermatologist for an evaluation to determine if this is the right treatment for you.

Sagging Under-eye Skin

• Fractional Laser treatment or FRAXEL is an in office cosmetic procedure performed by a Dermatologist, this procedure resurfaces the top layer of skin leading to increased collagen formation and skin tightening.  
• Another option is to use an eye cream daily with “firming” or “tightening” on the label, take note: this will take months of committed use to see any results.

Bags Under Your Eyes

• As of right now, Blepharoplasty is the one and only solution for this problem. This is a surgical cosmetic procedure usually done in office by a Plastic Surgeon or a Dermatologic Surgeon. 
• During the procedure, the “bags” or fat pads that protrude are surgically removed from underneath the eyes and then stitched back up to heal.