Eyes are the mirror to one’s soul. It’s not for nothing that this saying holds so much of importance because ultimately eyes can express what’s in one’s heart better than words ever can. Brighter, shining eyes always attract attention. Nevertheless, the area around the eyes is very sensitive to all types of stress, be it from lack of sleep, unhealthy diet and habits, mental stress or any other illness. Periorbital area, that is the area around the eyes is also one of the first to show signs of aging. The skin around the eyes is thinnest and hence loses elasticity quite quickly and easily as most of the facial expressions involve eyes, like smiling, laughing, chewing, blinking etc.

Common concerns regarding the periorbital area (area surrounding the skin) are wrinkles, fine lines, puffiness, darkness or redness. So, what can be done to treat, prevent or delay the signs of aging? Let’s speak at length.

Treatments & Prevention to Delay the Signs of Aging

1. REGULAR EYE CARE

First thing first is what kind of skin routine one must follow in order to keep the skin around the eyes healthy.

• The routine involves thorough cleansing with mild cleansers followed with light, patting dry of the area. Be sure not to rub too vigorously and strenuously in order to avoid microtears in the lining of skin, and to keep the cells healthy.

• Give eyes a 3- to 5-minute rest if you use the computer or phone screens for more than 30 minutes. All you have to do is close eyes for 10 seconds then look in every direction in clockwise direction for 5 times. Then cover both your eyelids by placing your fingers across them horizontally, and take 5 breaths.

• Wear power glasses with proper frame suitable for the face shape. Squinting, stressing on the eyes due to improper glass frame and incorrect power leads to eye strain, which could result in darkness and dullness around the eyes.

2. HYDRATION

Hydration is as important for eyes as its for overall body. Dehydrated skin around the eyes leads to fine lines, wrinkles, patchy pigmentation and dullness which gives the tired look.

3. MOISTURIZATION

Our eye area lacks oil glands that provides us natural moisturiser, making it a vulnerable area. Application of good hydrating moisturizer helps keep the area supple and wrinkle-free.

4. EAT RIGHT

Food that is rich in vitamin C helps avoid skin damage from free radicals. Lean proteins, which can be found in eggs, helps with collagen synthesis. Food such as whole-grain barley is rich in selenium and can combat sun damage. Salmon has several anti-aging properties such as omega-3 fatty acids which can help reduce irritation and breakouts.

5. EYE CARE PRODUCT CHOICE

Products such as eye shadow and concealers can irritate the skin around your eyes. Avoid tough ingredients and parabens which are best avoided. Make sure to remove any eye make-up gently before bed.

Common Periorbital Concerns, Causes and Solutions

1. DARK CIRCLES

Causes: Causes of dark circles are various including excessive pigmentation or hyperpigmentation, thin and lucid eyelid skin, shadowing secondary to skin laxity, and age-related changes leading to hollowing and tear-trough deformity. Hyperpigmentation under or around the eye area may be caused by underlying congenital causes, such as nevus of Ota, sun exposure, medicines, or medical conditions including atopic or contact dermatitis that leads to rubbing of the periorbital region hence causing post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Blood leak from the tiny capillaries from excessive rubbing, scratching or following trauma may cause pigmentary changes in the lower eye-lids. Shadowing due to aging of the skin with age-related changes in the soft tissue and skeleton that leads to skin laxity in combination, is another common cause of dark circles. The appearance of a under eye depression or hollowness secondary to loss of undereye fat pad and thinning of the skin over the orbital rim ligament leads to a shadow which again gives darker reflection. To conclude the cause of dark circles, gently stretch the skin under eyes and if it gets darker, then the circles are probably due to thin skin and diminished collagen. If the color doesn’t change, then UV rays causing hyperpigmentation is the problem. Blood that accumulates under the eyes, often due to poor circulation or lack of sleep, can be more obvious in thin-skinned or/and fair people.

Solutions: Depending on the underlying cause and the severity of pigmentation, treatment options may include topical prescription. Apply sunscreen (preferably with zinc oxide) every day around without ignoring the eyes; use serums containing antioxidants such as vitamin C and green tea, and skin brighteners such as niacinamide, vitamin B3, kojic acid, certain medications to treat an underlying medical problem, laser modalities targeting the pigment like ND-YAG, Q-SWITCH to name a few. Along with it, it’s advised to get sufficient sleep (7-8 hours), take vitamin C supplements, eat vegetables and herbs high in vitamin K, like basil, spinach etc.

2. CROWS FEET

Causes: Eyelid skin being the thinnest in the body (0.2-0.3mm) makes it vulnerable and susceptible to damage. UV radiation is the main and primary cause of photodamage resulting in fine lines, patchy pigmentation, and textural changes. Other factors that lead to skin changes include genetic predisposition, smoking, and seasonal allergies, irritants, or contact dermatitis, loss of collagen, too much squinting from direct sun exposure or excessive work in front of the computer. Skin care to treat the signs of photodamage may include sunscreen, topical antioxidants, retinoids, and collagen supplements.

Solutions:
• Lifestyle modification: Adopting a daily healthy, low-salt low sugar diet, antioxidant supplements to build collagen and sufficient sleep gets half the work done. Avoid direct sun and wear sunscreen and sunglasses. Topical application of serums containing antioxidants, especially vitamin C, serums containing ingredients like aminoguanidine (to prevent glycation and protein cross-linking) or L-carnosine (to fight aging processes that weaken skin integrity).
• Remove eye makeup with oils or oil-based cleansers that do not irritate eyes and be careful not to stretch your skin.

3. UNDER-EYE BAGS AND PUFFINESS

Causes: The two major factors are heredity and age. With age, the ligaments underneath the eyes that hold back fatty tissue begin to weaken, and the tissue protrudes outward having no support forming under-eye bags. Yet another cause is a stressed or sleep-deprived body that can prevent circulatory system from flushing out extra fluid, which gets accumulated due to slow circulation while we sleep, even after we've been awake for a while. Orbicularis muscle hyperactivity, stress, lack of sleep and hormones, as well as allergies that trigger the release of histamines in the body, which in turn inflame blood vessels and cause swelling.

Solutions:
• Lifestyle changes : Avoid foods and beverages that encourage fluid retention including alcohol, coffee, white sugar, fried foods, white flour and salt. Elevate your head while sleeping to let gravity do the work of preventing fluid build-up.
• Treatments: Topically use a carnosine, vitamin C, aminoguanidine-rich eye serum to strengthen collagen and inhibit aging processes. Apply serums containing dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline to tighten skin.
• At night, use your ring finger to pat a dime-sized amount of eye serum under each eye bag and massage for 30 seconds in a circular motion moving outwards to inwards. Most products contain ingredients to reduce fluid retention, strengthen the vasculature, and improve skin laxity.
• Surgical intervention, laser resurfacing, hyaluronic soft tissue fillers, neurotoxins, and energy-based skin tightening devices (radiofrequency, high intensity focused ultrasound) may be used in varying combinations to address this complaint.

The skin around your eyes is delicate, thin, unlike other body parts. Our eyes carry out lots of work during the day, as well as night while dreaming too. Use these valuable advices to change your health habits, everyday routine and keep your skin wrinkle-free and eyes twinkling and bright. The price of a firm, vibrant and youthful skin is eternal vigilance and acuity.

References:
1. Adjunctive therapy for periorbital care
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233787644_Adjunctive_Skin_Care_of_the_Brow_and_Periorbital_Region
2. A ging around the eyes
https://www.marieveronique.com/blogs/science-research/thin-skinned-aging-around-the-eyes
3. https://www.healthcarebusinesstoday.com/11-proven-ways-to-care-for-the-skin-around-your-eyes