Do you suffer with bags under the eyes?

The eyes in general are one of the most common gripes people have about their face. The skin around the eyes is generally delicate and subject to a lot of movement owing to the underlying muscles. This area is one that tends to age first. Eye bags in particular are a relatively common affliction. There are so many myths that get banded around in relation to eye bags. It is another popular magazine subject, which as I mentioned in my previous article is one of my pet hates. This futile information is printed to use up space in magazines and will include pearls such as ‘get a good nights sleep' or 'use cold tea bags’ or recommendations for multiple products which are little more than average moisturisers. 

The fact of the matter is that eye bags or tear troughs as we like to call them in the ‘industry', are a very common complaint and one that is not always easily resolved. The most aesthetically pleasing appearance of the skin under the eye occurs when there is a smooth transition from under the eye to the mid face with no change skin tone, colour or texture. Unfortunately this is often not the case. Problems in this area can be down to visible grooves, puffiness, discolouration or a combination of all three. The grooves can be caused by the natural downward movement of the fat pads under the eye as we age, however some people will have a groove which is not age related at all. Discolouration may be due to the presence of visible veins under the delicate skin or pigment or shadows created by the groove itself. Puffiness may result form allergy, sensitive eyes or sluggish lymphatic drainage. There are treatment options for this area but it is a complex one and identifying the actual problem and the cause is essential. So simply getting a good nights sleep is not the answer and advice such as this can sometimes lead to increased negative feelings for those who are diligently following all of the advice on offer.   

So what are the options?  There are creams and serums available from medical skin care ranges (see my previous post on the difference between medical skincare and beauty products) creams have been formulated to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of darkness under the eyes. For those who actually do have a groove, a very carefully placed dermal filler treatment may be used to smoothe over that groove and create an illusion of the smooth transition. This treatment will only be suitable for certain cases and requires thorough assessment and informed consent. 

Lastly, surgery is a more permanent option and can leave the client with a significant aesthetic improvement. If you read my post about the gym and your skin you will know that I am an avid health and fitness fan. For me, a healthy lifestyle is essential for getting the best from your body and appearance, but sadly lifestyle modification alone will not solve all your health and aesthetic problems.