Because the skin is so delicate and thin, we tend to have some issues with the area. These can include dryness, sensitivity, darkness, puffiness and fine lines. Let's take each of these issues and explain treatments as well for each issue.

• Dryness: The area under the eye contains little or no oil glands to help keep the area hydrated. We therefore look for light lotions that contain ingredients that provide and hold moisture to the skin.



• Puffiness: The area contains a vast network of capillaries. Many times through aging, free radicals, sun damage etc. the capillaries dilate or even leak. Allergies, not getting enough sleep, poor lymph drainage and diet can promote fluid retention. Because we have little fat here and have sustained sun damage to our collagen and elastin, it is difficult for the eye area to 'bounce back' from all the above. Treatment would include: If possible you should avoid touching the area (rubbing the eyes only makes them more swollen by increasing blood flow and rupturing capillaries), foods that retain fluid, sun exposure, heavy creams. We can try sleeping on two pillows to minimize fluid retention, using light oil free lotions with good hydrating ingredients and tightening peptides, such as R three lotion, get enough sleep.



• Darkness: Darkness is caused by several contributing factors such as: heredity, allergies, thinness of the skin bringing the capillaries more visible, sun damage, lack of sleep. Treatment would include: Avoid sun exposure as the UV rays encourage development of melanin and weakness of our capillaries, get sufficient rest as the skin cells regenerate when we are sleeping and this will help to keep the area healthier and more plump as well as keep our capillaries strong so that they don't leak and break. Refrain from touching the area as persistent rubbing and touching can actually darken the area and break capillaries. Use a lotion such as Vitamin C and R three with high concentrations of antioxidants to reduce free radical damage and damage to the skin cells, and peptides to stimulate fresh cell development and collagen. Increase your intake of antioxidants (such as Vitamin C) and anti-inflamatories (such as Omega 3)



• Sensitivity and Fine Lines: We lose elasticity and collagen due to sun damage and due to aging, the result is the development of sensitive skin and fine lines. In addition this delicate skin gets repeated creasing from our squinting and smiling. Treatment would include: Wearing sun glasses and using Vitamin C to strengthen the capillaries and help retain our moisture, light lotion such as R three to increase the collagen to firm and tighten the area and antioxidants to decrease cell damage, and nutrients to feed the cells and skin to keep it healthy.